My rating:

add to my books

The Saint and the Fasting Girl

by Anna Richenda (Goodreads Author)

3.67 · rating details · 6 ratings · 4 reviews

Sister Georgia lives at the center of a bustling Yorkshire nunnery at the eve of the English Reformation. Yet she is no ordinary nun. Georgia and her sisters follow the ways of the legendary Saint Isela, recording her signs and miracles and preparing for her return.

But the archbishop of London, Philip SeVerde, a man rising in Henry VIII's royal court, cannot bear this 'wi

...more

Hardcover, 344 pages

Published June 8th 2009 by iUniverse.com

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-15 of 15)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Oct 19, 2009

Ana T. rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: medieval, read-in-2009, traded

The Saint and the Fasting Girl is a story divided in two parts. In the first Georgia is the Abbess in a Yorkshire Abbey that follows the ways of St Isela. The Saint has died and promised to return so Georgia lives to see that moment. When the story opens, the abbey and the nearest village are under attack; Georgia has a vision and knows she must save the baby girl whose birth is eminent as she will be an important part of St Isela's return.

Georgia manages to keep the Abbey safe but ...moreThe Saint and the Fasting Girl is a story divided in two parts. In the first Georgia is the Abbess in a Yorkshire Abbey that follows the ways of St Isela. The Saint has died and promised to return so Georgia lives to see that moment. When the story opens, the abbey and the nearest village are under attack; Georgia has a vision and knows she must save the baby girl whose birth is eminent as she will be an important part of St Isela's return.

Georgia manages to keep the Abbey safe but Phillip SeVerde, the archbishop of London, wants to control the land. They'll both fight for it, with SeVerde sending troops and Georgia trying to evade them while raising Lo, the baby who she believes will grow to be awakened to St Isela's story and eventually lead to St Isela’s return. However, in a period of religious instability that is the Kingdom of Henry VIII, the abbey ends up destroyed and Georgia is killed.

On the second part of the book a young girl, Jane, realises that she is Georgia. She must devote herself to prepare the way for St Isela’s return and the first thing is to look for the sisters who lost their home when the abbey was destroyed and to look for St Isela's treasure that she had hidden in the abbey.

While Jane is still a girl, she behaves very much like Georgia, set in her beliefs and determined to restore Isela's ways. She only behaves as a teenager when she grows fond of a young servant and we see them bickering their way to love. But her main concern is to save Lo, now a grown woman, from the man who has brutalised her and to find St Isela's treasure.

I think what I enjoyed the most about the book was how the author can really make us understand how religion was an integral part of the medieval mind. Everything was ruled by religion and social class. Not only we see in the story a lot of violence towards the lower orders but that behaviour seems to be expected and accepted by everyone.

I did like the first half of the book better because I had some trouble warming up to Jane. I was surprised by how she enters the story and in the beginning she is not very likeable. I must say that one of the interesting things of the story is that there are several twists that keep you guessing. In fact, given all that happens, the ending is also quite surprising. I only wish the "fasting girl" aspect had been more explored, both Georgia and Jane don't eat when they are worried and upset but they didn't seem to fast on purpose and I was very curious about that angle of the story after having read something about it on Anna Richenda's website.

I found this a very interesting and original story with its focus on monastic life and would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading about that period.

One final word to thank the author Anna Richenda for having sent me a copy.

Grade: 4/5

(less)

like 1 like

· see review

Jul 19, 2010

Wisteria rated it

· review of another edition

THE SAINT AND THE FASTING GIRL( Anna Richenda, iUniverse, 2009, $19.95, hb, 332pp, 9781440132414( �� The Saint and the Fasting Girl takes place during the reign of Henry VIII when the religious order of the time turned tempestuous as he broke ties with Rome and formed the Church of England. The tale begins at the Saint Isela nunnery, in the northern part of England. The nuns who live there believe in the miracle of Saint Isela, as do the many pilgrims who flock to the site for healing. Sister G...moreTHE SAINT AND THE FASTING GIRL( Anna Richenda, iUniverse, 2009, $19.95, hb, 332pp, 9781440132414( �� The Saint and the Fasting Girl takes place during the reign of Henry VIII when the religious order of the time turned tempestuous as he broke ties with Rome and formed the Church of England. The tale begins at the Saint Isela nunnery, in the northern part of England. The nuns who live there believe in the miracle of Saint Isela, as do the many pilgrims who flock to the site for healing. Sister Georgia, the prioress, is the Bearer who keeps Isela s sacred relic, a stone amulet. Her mission is to protect the relic and the Chooser for the future return of Isela. ( �� As Henry s court dictates authority, the evil archbishiop Philip SeVerde imposes his mandates and demand the nuns submission to him.� Georgia is boldly defiant and with feisty gaul, stands up to his demands.� After a short-lived reprieve when the nunnery appears safe, the archbishop returns and decimates the priory. He is triumphant in his battle, yet Sister Georgia and her fellow nuns escape to the country to hide. They are constantly on the move fearing capture. ( �� The journey to freedom and recovery of the relic of Saint Isela is a tortuous and brutal path for Georgia and her women. She must endure horrific pain, beatings, and demoralization from both physical and sexual abuse. They fight for survival throughout the story with an unexpected turn of events that shapes a twist to the ending. ( �� Richenda s writing excellence is shown in her realism and specificity for detail.� Her depiction of torture and punishment common during the period provides no cover up.� With precision and clarity, she inspires odorous fumes that waft off the pages to arouse stomach churning. There are many characters who provide support to the story, but Georgia clearly will remain a favorite as the resolute and courageous heroine. ( �� Anna Richenda s novel is a beautiful, well-researched mystifying tale of endurance, hope, and love.[return][return][return][return][return]

(less)

· see review

Jul 26, 2009

Blodeuedd Finland rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

I do like to read different sorts of books, and therefore this one looked interesting. But when I got it I got scared for a moment that it would be overly religious, but luckily for me it wasn't. This was about the saints, religious intolerance and things connecting to that.

First thing I did, well to see if there was any truth to the story since I am very curious. No saint Isela thought, but the funny thing was that I stumbled upon one saint that I had come across in another book som...moreI do like to read different sorts of books, and therefore this one looked interesting. But when I got it I got scared for a moment that it would be overly religious, but luckily for me it wasn't. This was about the saints, religious intolerance and things connecting to that.

First thing I did, well to see if there was any truth to the story since I am very curious. No saint Isela thought, but the funny thing was that I stumbled upon one saint that I had come across in another book some days earlier. And by knowing that fact it did make me feel like I understood the story more.

This is not your average historical book, it's all about the nuns who follow the way of Saint Isela and waiting for the day she will reborn with them. Life after life the Bearer is reborn to guide the way of the Chooser. The Bearer is always Georgia.

This was a sad book to read at times, it was horrible the things done to catholic nuns and monks at that time, rape, violence, torture, death. This is shown in the book and it's not an easy read Some things did make me cringe. And I have no idea how they suffered through it.

Georgia is a strong woman with strong beliefs. She will do absolutely anything to see the promise fulfilled and see Isela with them again. The strange thing is that I am pretty neutral about her for the first half of the book, I can't say what happens but it surprised me more than anything. And then I find myself liking her. She is stronger in some way, and I can connect more to her.

There are a bunch of other side characters here too, like Lo, who I would cry for, a bunch of nuns, and the bad guy Philip SeVerde. He is I didn't like, but there was someone worse, I shall not mention it because the reader will see that for themselves. But he is horrible. There are dark characters, light ones, and those in between. They can shift and that is a good thing.

One thing that I didn't expect was a bit of romance, just a tiny bit, but enough to make me smile among all the sadness that came over me at one point.(less)

· see review

Jul 12, 2009

Anna Richenda rated it

· (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Hi! I'm the author of this book. I've been working on this book and researching since 2003--with gaps and learning along the way. I worked hard to make this a story that moves across the page, full of hope and conflict and trial. I hope my hard work paid off! I'd love to hear how you think it turned out.

· see review

Jul 13, 2011

Wisteria Leigh added it · review of another edition

Jul 13, 2011

Wisteria Leigh added it

May 22, 2011

Evy Bernier rated it

· review of another edition

Sep 10, 2010

Kaethe marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Jul 19, 2010

Wisteria added it

Nov 30, 2009

Heather rated it

· review of another edition

Jul 19, 2009

Rachel marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Jul 19, 2009

Krista the Krazy Kataloguer marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: to-read-interloan-sd, to-read-womens-history

Jul 15, 2009

Anna Richenda added it · (Review from the author)

Jul 31, 2009

Kay added it · review of another edition

Jul 12, 2009

Anna marked it as to-read · review of another edition

See top shelves...

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Pin It

Trivia About The Saint and the...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: The Saint and the Fasting Girl
avg rating	preview: The Saint and the Fasting Girl Goodreads rating: 3.67 (6 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6619681-the-saint-and-the-fasting-girl?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266789941m/6619681.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6619681-the-saint-and-the-fasting-girl?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Saint and the Fasting Girl by Anna Richenda[/url]

The Saint and the Fasting Girl

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (3)

Genres

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About The Saint and the...

The Saint and the Fasting Girl

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

combine Other Editions (3)

Genres

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About The Saint and the...

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (3)