The Confessions of St. Augustine
Written around 397, this is the first spiritual autobiography in Western literature, addressed throughout to God. Augustine recalls his childhood in North Africa, the theft of pears for the pleasure of stealing, his student years in Carthage, his long attachment to a woman he does not name, his career as a teacher of rhetoric and his years among the Manichaeans. He describes his mother Monica's prayers, the sermons of Ambrose in Milan, and the moment in a garden in 386 when he was finally able to change his life. The last four books turn from narrative to meditation on memory, time and the opening of Genesis. This edition presents the text in E. B. Pusey's translation, a revision of William Watts's seventeenth-century version. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Confessions of St. Augustine
The Confessions of St. Augustine by Saint Augustine can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Confessions of St. Augustine online?
Yes. The Confessions of St. Augustine opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Confessions of St. Augustine free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Confessions of St. Augustine is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Confessions of St. Augustine in the public domain?
Yes. The Confessions of St. Augustine by Saint Augustine is a public-domain work, here in the translation by E. B. Pusey. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Confessions of St. Augustine?
About 7 h 28 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Confessions of St. Augustine?
The Confessions of St. Augustine by Saint Augustine is filed under "Religion & Mythology" in the Vinteuil library.
