The introduction takes about 60 pages to say not much is known about Richard Rolle's life beyond the fact that he lived in the 14th century in Yorkshire. He wrote in both English and Latin, and this volume contains extracts from his commentary on the Psalms, a moving meditation on Christ's Passion (which I have made a note to re-read on Good Friday), and some letters of advice and encouragement he wrote to nuns -- mostly to an anchoress called Margaret Kirkby. These were interesting, but perhaps not very useful for those who are still living in the world Rolle seems to regard with so much wariness and disdain. ( )