In other news, we've just passed the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, and a friend has just published his translation of one of the few heretofore untranslated works of Aquinas. That's not
quite true, since "De Sortibus" was translated into English several decades ago, though not published... but the translator then is also the translator now! He's calling this a retranslation into contemporary English! A letter, "De Sortibus" has avoided publication so long because it might seem an unserious topic - when and how it is permissible to cast lots - but it's an accessibly odd and surprisingly relevant topic even now, and comes with a great story that really brings Aquinas to life. My friend asked me to blurb it (though sadly his
editors replaced my puns).
Thomas Aquinas’ best known works, like his reputation, are daunting. As a result, too many students steer clear of his work or, worse still, read summaries. But the power and charm of Aquinas’ thought are best found in thinking with him as he names and reframes questions of all sorts. This is something Aquinas invites us to participate in throughout his oeuvre. If you’re casting about for where to begin, you could do a lot worse than start with De Sortibus in Peter Carey’s delightful translation.
