Evelyn Underhill

Evelyn Underhill (1875–1941) was an English writer and pacifist who became famous for her numerous works on religion and spiritual practice, in particular mysticism. In the English-speaking world, she was one of the most widely read writers on these matters in the first half of the twentieth century, especially for this book "Mysticism" published in 1911. It sold so many copies that no other book of this type was able to meet with the same great success until Aldous Huxley came out with The Perennial Philosophy in 1946.

Excerpts culled from 37 published works on the devotional life, by a contemporary English mystic, with biographical introduction.

Mainly concerned with those mystics whose experiences brought added spirituality to the Church as a whole.

"The first and last sections of this book incorporate the substance of a few passages which have already appeared in a paper on 'God and spirit' ... printed in Theology ; and in an article on 'Prayer and the divine immanence' contributed to the Expository times."--Pref.

Frustrated with the narrowness of her life as a bookseller's assistance, Constance Tyrrel experiments with a grimoire that comes through the shop, resulting in a spirit from beyond the physical plane taking residence in her mind alongside her normal personality. At first he is baffled and scornful of Constance's life, but over time becomes her guide and defender as polite society turns against her.