Rene Girard and Raymund Schwager: Correspondence 1974-1991 - Scholarly

In this review of Rene Girard and Raymund Schwager: Correspondence 1974-1991, readers will find a focused collection best suited to scholars and serious students interested in the theological development of mimetic theory. The book compiles previously unpublished French correspondence that illuminates the collaborative exchange between Girard and Schwager, showing how theological critique and pastoral concerns pushed Girard's ideas into new territory. For anyone studying religion, literary theory, or the history of ideas, this correspondence is essential because it reveals the conversational roots of significant conceptual shifts.

Key Features

• Unpublished correspondence: Presents letters exchanged between Girard and Schwager that have not been widely available, offering fresh primary material for research.
• Theological development: Shows how Schwager guided Girard on theological implications and pastoral applications, clarifying aspects of mimetic theory.
• Bilingual scholarly context: Contains material originally in French, making it valuable to readers tracking the cross-cultural development of ideas.
• Historical span: Covers exchanges from 1974 to 1991, providing a longitudinal view of evolving arguments and responses.
• Intellectual intimacy: Reveals the personal relationship between two thinkers, which helps explain how critiques and support shaped later work.

Who It's For

This volume is best for academic readers: graduate students, theologians, and scholars of literature or social theory who already have a grounding in mimetic theory and want primary sources showing its development. It will also interest historians of modern theology wanting to trace dialogical influences between a philosopher and a Jesuit theologian.

Readers seeking a general introduction to Girard's ideas or a broad popular overview should look elsewhere, as this correspondence is specialized and presumes familiarity with core concepts rather than offering an accessible primer.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides rare primary-source letters that deepen understanding of the theological shaping of Girard's thought.
• Documents constructive critique and collaboration, useful for scholars tracing intellectual influence.
• Chronological range allows readers to observe conceptual shifts over nearly two decades.

Cons

• Material is specialized and may be opaque to readers without prior background in Girard or Schwager.

Specifications

Title	Rene Girard and Raymund Schwager: Correspondence 1974-1991
Primary subjects	Mimetic theory; theology; intellectual correspondence
Language of correspondence	French (original letters)
Time period	1974-1991
Contributors	Scott Cowdell, Joel Hodge, Chris Fleming, Mathias Moosbrugger, Sheelah Trefle Hidden
Focus	Theological development of Girard's ideas through dialogue with Schwager

Our Verdict

This correspondence volume is a worthwhile acquisition for specialists who want to see how theological critique shaped a major thinker. It offers rare primary documents that add depth to existing scholarship and represents good value for researchers seeking direct evidence of intellectual exchange rather than secondary summary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the letters translated to English?
Answer. The correspondence is presented from French originals; editors provide scholarly context but readers should expect material rooted in French-language exchanges.

Who edited the volume?
Answer. The edition includes contributions from Scott Cowdell, Joel Hodge, Chris Fleming, Mathias Moosbrugger, and Sheelah Trefle Hidden who provide editorial framing and commentary.

Is this suitable as an introduction to Girard?
Answer. No. It is best used as a research resource for readers already familiar with Girard's basic concepts.