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Beautiful writing, this book doesn’t really have a plot, but follows an older successful British widow as she gives up her civil service career to enter a Benedictine monastery.
I was amazed at how absorbing it could be to get to know this diverse group of nuns, following them through the years, broken up into liturgical seasons. So much happens in this closed community, it was lovely and I know I’ll want to reread it again! A peaceful, contemplative read that I enjoyed very much - read with the ...more
I was amazed at how absorbing it could be to get to know this diverse group of nuns, following them through the years, broken up into liturgical seasons. So much happens in this closed community, it was lovely and I know I’ll want to reread it again! A peaceful, contemplative read that I enjoyed very much - read with the ...more
A wonderful story of life in a Benedictine abbey. The hierarchy of the nuns/sisters/dames was very interesting and how each woman brought something of themselves into this religious order and learned to surrender and serve made this enjoyable to read. Phillipa was somewhat of an enigma but she carries this story wonderfully.
Exquisite!
I was enchanted by the author's view of the world as presented in the microcosm of an abbey of Benedictine nuns. The setting may be specific to England of the 1950s and '60s, but the personal interactions between the members of this religious community are universal and timeless.
There are no cardboard cut-out saints to be found; all of the women are so real, with all of the graces and faults that go with being human.
Over the course of the book I developed my favorites--how could I not? ...more
I was enchanted by the author's view of the world as presented in the microcosm of an abbey of Benedictine nuns. The setting may be specific to England of the 1950s and '60s, but the personal interactions between the members of this religious community are universal and timeless.
There are no cardboard cut-out saints to be found; all of the women are so real, with all of the graces and faults that go with being human.
Over the course of the book I developed my favorites--how could I not? ...more
Rumer Godden is an author who should definitely be remembered!
In This House of Brede tells the story of Philippa, a successful businesswoman with a past, who follows God's leading to enter a monastery in Brede England in the 1950s. Because of her success, connections, and worldliness, her sincerity and willingness to humble herself are doubted at first, but the Abbess Hester agrees that Philippa will be accepted as a novice. Once cloistered, she shows her devotion to her calling through interact ...more
In This House of Brede tells the story of Philippa, a successful businesswoman with a past, who follows God's leading to enter a monastery in Brede England in the 1950s. Because of her success, connections, and worldliness, her sincerity and willingness to humble herself are doubted at first, but the Abbess Hester agrees that Philippa will be accepted as a novice. Once cloistered, she shows her devotion to her calling through interact ...more
This is a beautiful book. Phillipa Talbot is a widow who finds her vocation in middle-age and joins the nuns at Brede as a novice. The author skillfully uses the liturgical calendar and life events such as the death of the abbess to explain the various ceremonies and daily duties of the nuns. Highly recommend it.
Who knew that a book about cloistered nuns could be such a page-turner? With all the turmoil going on in the world today, this was exactly what I needed to read. Although I am not Catholic, I am a Jesus follower, I was uplifted by the very thought of praying continually, as the Apostle Paul urges us to.
I fell in love with this book. I believe I will be reading it again and again. Have already recommended it to some friends.
Being raised Baptist, I knew very little about the Catholic faith or Catholic orders, so when I read several positive reviews of Godden's, "In this House of Brede", I knew I needed to get this book and read for myself to understand a way of life very foreign yet very intriguing to me.
It was overall an enjoyable read. The story weaves in and out of the lives of most of the main sisters in the cloister. I have to admit that I gave it only 3 stars because it took me almost half way through the book ...more
It was overall an enjoyable read. The story weaves in and out of the lives of most of the main sisters in the cloister. I have to admit that I gave it only 3 stars because it took me almost half way through the book ...more
Wonderful....hated that it ended. Miss the characters, who have become friends!
Jul 15, 2012
Trish
marked it as to-read
Oct 24, 2013
Nina
rated it
it was amazing
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review of another edition
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