Unveiled Nuns Talking

by Mary Loudon

Book by Loudon, Mary

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Memoir

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Mary Loudon is the prize-winning author of four non-fiction books, published to great acclaim around the world. She has also contributed essays and poetry to six anthologies. My House Is Falling Down is her first novel.

Mary has won four writer’s prizes, as well as being short-listed for MIND Book of the Year and long-listed for Richard & Judy Book of The Year. An experienced public speaker and broadcaster, she has made over 200 radio and TV appearances. She is a Fellow of the British-American Project and has been a judge for the Whitbread Prize and Costa Book Awards.

She is a popular public speaker and broadcaster, and has made numerous radio and television appearances.

Mary was born in November 1966 and lives with her family in Wantage and mid-Wales.

www.maryloudon.com

Reviews

[7jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The public image of nuns is saintly, saccharine or smutty... The truth is far less patronising, far more daunting. What they are is brave: what they display is intergrity." [- Independent review]

This is a book of 10 different kinds of nuns talking about their life, how they became nuns, what their development has been since, about certain issues, and what they look forward to in the future. They are nuns of Catholic and Anglican kind, most in the UK but one in India, some born outside UK, some converts. Enclosed/contemplative and apostolic types, with or without habit (clothes type). Different backgrounds (but similar with some), different tempers, different levels of faith (even one agnostic).

Each nun is introduced with some background information: age, nationality, age at entry, number of years in community, previous employment (if any), current employment (if known), dress (habit or ordinary). Then there's some introduction on author meeting them, before they talk. You can tell it's an interview with some parts (often more than one session; about 1/4th of the interviews have been used from each, author/interviewer says).

Some nuns are no doubt gone now - I think it's the case at least with the last interviewee, Brigitta, who was born in 1916. One nun has a child from Ghana to raise - he's an adult now, but where he lives now I don't know (Ghana? UK? Both?) Many issues are debated in several interviews, like the subject of women ordination, sexual prejudices, gender roles, independence issues, dealing with death and suffering, empowering the laity etc..

Family past may influence how the life as a nun has been, and also things like being in a war, and such. I also pondered what would happen if some nuns met? The temperamental Eva Heymann and Barbara Ann. The Germans Eva Heymann, Renate, and Brigitta. The child-carers Frances Dominica and Marion Eva. The opposites that may be Marion Eva and Brigitta.

You think about endless meeting like that, and maybe also now what they are now (this book came out in 1992), who are still living? But whatever you think, you really do get a great view on how different the nuns can be, how different their workfields are, how different their view of personal faith can be, how different as interviewees they are. So this book does really reach its goal, if you read it. And I hope it is so for any future readers also.

[Michele Harrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh, Nun's just came up in a conversation and I was reminded of this great book. I LOVED this book, such an amazing insight into the passion that drives people to the religious order. It really helped me understand why this is considered 'a calling'.....And why did I want to understand that? Because believe it or not, until I was 17 this was one of my most highly sought after vocations. I had a cousin who was a Nun and I very much wanted to emulate her. I adored the ground she walked on when I was a child. But then I met Jim. Two of them actually, but the one with the surname Beam has been a most loyal male companion ever since, and he wasn't ever going to let me be cloistered. Though I do still have my moments when I wonder. They is something incredibly wonderful about these stories, that makes you think ... perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad life. There is a peace in order, that's for sure!!

[Sumangali Morhall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't binge-read in a long time, but this book leapfrogged all the others waiting patiently on my shelf. If ever you thought nuns lack moxie, individuality, intelligence or social conscience, you'll be glad to see such myths debunked. On the other hand, if (like me) you're endeavouring to follow a genuine spiritual path of your own, especially if (like me) you're female, you'll be very glad to see such myths debunked. You might even let out a Hurrah! of solidarity. Ten stories collected by a self-confessed sceptic, straight from the mouths of nuns – nuns from a variety of backgrounds, in a variety of orders, with strong views and strong characters. These are memoirs at their most raw – beautifully transparent and richly authentic.

[Emily Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have used this book twice. Once in my research for my Masters - Secondly an indepth read at this present time.
I found it throughly asorbing into the questions we would like to ask those who take upon themselves the mantle of religion.
Some answers were unexpected, and therefore it gave this book an edge.
An interesting read.

[Petrina Muir · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a mix of different types of nuns from different backgrounds. I am not a member of any church but their lives and religious journeys make it feel more of a religious experience than any church service I have been to. There is nothing twee or saintly about these women which makes them relatable. I keep re reading this book. She has a knack for turning their conversations into these fascinating interviews. I have read 2 more of her interview/ conversation books and they are just as good. Although this one is my favourite and my second favourite book out of all books I have read so far. I wish she would do more(subtle hint).

[Serian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this - I thought the interviews were really well done and the range of women she spoke to was fascinating.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

ten interviews with nuns in the UK from different denominations. Really interesting read. An op shop find.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely not a book I'd have bought myself, but I was lent this by my mum (who borrowed it from a friend as the author is local and my mum had read another book by her) and I actually found this fascinating. What does make a woman give up everything and become a nun? What is "the calling"? I still don't really know, but these accounts by nuns from different backgrounds have changed my perception of nuns. Especially eye-opening is the idea that nuns are very open minded, and quite anti the structure and traditions of the established church.

Really interesting stuff ... Though quite a slow read, and I'm looking forward to reading something trashy now!

[maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an unexpected treasure of a book. I loved the variety of experience of each of the nuns and the richness of their personalities. I was jealous of their self knowledge and their deep contentment despite their lack of material trappings. I'm grateful for the love of my husband and my beautiful children, but I think I could have been a nun myself so this book was particularly fascinating.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author interviews 10 nuns, about how and why they decided to become nuns, about life as a nun. Immensly interesting and most definitively thought-provoking.

[Bronwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very interesting to hear their life stories and the thoughts on their life choice and how they aee perceived.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I found the women interesting, and the idea compelling, ultimately I felt unable to read the book. I commend the author/editor's attempt to maintain these women's voices by using their own words, but this does nothing t make for the most readable book. People speak in fragments, a non-linear fashion and out-of-context. Largely due to my dyslexia, I struggled so much to read and comprehend this book that i could not finish it. It saddened me to give up.