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Life As Carola
Carola is the illegitimate daughter of one of the most powerful noblemen in Italy. Yet she and her mother are forced to leave the family castle and wander penniless. They join a band of strolling actors, but opportunity always seems to elude them. Eventually, Carola enters a convent as a novice. But Carola has developed many natural psychic abilities and this leads to a terrible conflict in which she is accused of witchcraft. She becomes the target of vicious fanaticism and only barely manages to elude death.
Life as Carola is a vivid portrayal of the struggle between good and evil and the power of the noble human spirit to conquer that which persecutes it.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1939
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 2, 2021
By turns rompy, heartwarming and powerful, Life as Carola is in desperate need of wider recognition. Illegitimacy, strolling players, heresy and witchcraft? Come on, people!
This really showcases Grant’s ability as a writer and poet as opposed to solely a spiritualist. The latter was how I felt about Winged Pharaoh; although it was enriching, there was little by way of plot. Grant’s second novel is a tightly packed epic in comparison, rich in detail.
Carola is a wonderful heroine; brave, witty, and kind. (There was a certain passage that had me really worried she would die an ill-deservedly horrific death.) The friendships she makes on the road are beautiful and provide fascinating insight into the lives of varying classes and backgrounds. I was so compelled.
This really showcases Grant’s ability as a writer and poet as opposed to solely a spiritualist. The latter was how I felt about Winged Pharaoh; although it was enriching, there was little by way of plot. Grant’s second novel is a tightly packed epic in comparison, rich in detail.
Carola is a wonderful heroine; brave, witty, and kind. (There was a certain passage that had me really worried she would die an ill-deservedly horrific death.) The friendships she makes on the road are beautiful and provide fascinating insight into the lives of varying classes and backgrounds. I was so compelled.
December 10, 2021
My little heretic…
Life as Carola takes place in Italy during the late Middle Ages. Carola is the daughter of a seamstress and the wealthy lord that they serve. Though she is scorned by many for being a ‘bastard’, Carola has an innate sense of bravery and dignity that carries her through the trials and tribulations of her life. Life as Carola is something of an occult classic, and the central theme of the book is the protagonist’s belief in reincarnation and frequent religious visions. Grant’s prose is simple but beautiful, evoking clear images of medieval Italian society, and the book is imbued with a subtle but forceful magical realism. One of the most memorable aspects of Life as Carola is the protagonist’s attendance to the bedsides of people who are suffering, whether it be miscarriage, smallpox, or terminal illness. Her compassionate, unflinching witnessing of their pain is moving. I was less moved by the ending, where . The last chapters of the book are long monologues about philosophy and religion that left me missing Grant’s balanced weaving of her beliefs with the ‘life of Carola’ that characterized most of the book. I have decided to give Life as Carola a positive rating overall for its beautiful writing, universal truths, and incisive commentary on feudalism and medieval society.
Life as Carola takes place in Italy during the late Middle Ages. Carola is the daughter of a seamstress and the wealthy lord that they serve. Though she is scorned by many for being a ‘bastard’, Carola has an innate sense of bravery and dignity that carries her through the trials and tribulations of her life. Life as Carola is something of an occult classic, and the central theme of the book is the protagonist’s belief in reincarnation and frequent religious visions. Grant’s prose is simple but beautiful, evoking clear images of medieval Italian society, and the book is imbued with a subtle but forceful magical realism. One of the most memorable aspects of Life as Carola is the protagonist’s attendance to the bedsides of people who are suffering, whether it be miscarriage, smallpox, or terminal illness. Her compassionate, unflinching witnessing of their pain is moving. I was less moved by the ending, where . The last chapters of the book are long monologues about philosophy and religion that left me missing Grant’s balanced weaving of her beliefs with the ‘life of Carola’ that characterized most of the book. I have decided to give Life as Carola a positive rating overall for its beautiful writing, universal truths, and incisive commentary on feudalism and medieval society.
May 16, 2017
I love all of the Joan Grant books I have ever read.
April 7, 2024
To this Goodreader, this is the saddest tale in Joan Grant's magnificent spiritual autobiographies.
As Carola, she begins this incarnation as the illegitimate daughter of a very powerful Italian nobleman. No matter what she does, this incarnation is stuffed with problems -- and what I would call "Returning Karma."
Along with her mother, Carola is forced to leave the family castle. Lack of money is a continual problem. I don't recall offhand any other one of her novels where she tried earning funds by performing music. Knowing that soul from her other novels, I bet that her musicship was superb.
It did startle me to experience Carola as a performer. Later in the story, though, Carola's life took a turn that will be familiar to readers of other spiritual biographies from the author of "Winged Pharaoh."
Next came Carola's chance to fit in with the Catholics. At first things go well enough, as enters a convent as a novice. Unfortunately, the superb psychic abilities for which she has trained during multiple lifetimes of spiritual leadership in Ancient Egypt --- these abilities begin to emerge.
Goodreaders, how well do you think this goes over in the harsh Catholic environment in Italy, centuries ago?
FIVE STARS for a story about inner character in the strength of adversity. Another reason to value this books is how it presents (what I consider to be) an uncommonly inspiring view of how to survive harsh -- and inescapable -- "Returning Karma."
As Carola, she begins this incarnation as the illegitimate daughter of a very powerful Italian nobleman. No matter what she does, this incarnation is stuffed with problems -- and what I would call "Returning Karma."
Along with her mother, Carola is forced to leave the family castle. Lack of money is a continual problem. I don't recall offhand any other one of her novels where she tried earning funds by performing music. Knowing that soul from her other novels, I bet that her musicship was superb.
It did startle me to experience Carola as a performer. Later in the story, though, Carola's life took a turn that will be familiar to readers of other spiritual biographies from the author of "Winged Pharaoh."
Next came Carola's chance to fit in with the Catholics. At first things go well enough, as enters a convent as a novice. Unfortunately, the superb psychic abilities for which she has trained during multiple lifetimes of spiritual leadership in Ancient Egypt --- these abilities begin to emerge.
Goodreaders, how well do you think this goes over in the harsh Catholic environment in Italy, centuries ago?
FIVE STARS for a story about inner character in the strength of adversity. Another reason to value this books is how it presents (what I consider to be) an uncommonly inspiring view of how to survive harsh -- and inescapable -- "Returning Karma."
March 9, 2024
Read as a sample. It was ok so far but isn’t grabbing me. Not purchased.
May 7, 2019
What an interesting story, memory, life.
During the first few chapters I enjoyed them and was getting into the flow of a beautiful story.
Unlike Winged Pharaoh, I was not connecting with Carola, or the setting, in the same resonance that I did in the other book.
Until she enters the cloister.
Wham, read the remaining chapters this morning, tears and far memories flooding me.
Thank you Joan Grant for telling these stories. Thanks to the publisher for bringing it into e-format, and thanks to our Creator for it all.
Amazing read for the aware.
During the first few chapters I enjoyed them and was getting into the flow of a beautiful story.
Unlike Winged Pharaoh, I was not connecting with Carola, or the setting, in the same resonance that I did in the other book.
Until she enters the cloister.
Wham, read the remaining chapters this morning, tears and far memories flooding me.
Thank you Joan Grant for telling these stories. Thanks to the publisher for bringing it into e-format, and thanks to our Creator for it all.
Amazing read for the aware.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews