Introduction

[Manny]

Mariette in Ecstasyis the story of Mariette Baptiste, a young postulant who enters the convent of a religious (fictitious) order called The Sisters of the Crucifixion. The convent where the novel is set is in upstate New York, and the action follows the liturgical calendar. In the course of several months Mariette has what appears to be extreme religious experiences including a stigmata. The convent priest and the mother superior are obligated to investigate these experiences to establish whether they are true, imaginary, or outright fraud. During the course of time, the sisters at the convent take sides, either in support of Mariette or believing the experiences to be false.

The novel divides into three parts, so we’ll set up a reading schedule of one week for each part. The three parts do not divide equally. Each successive part is a little longer than the previous. This will allow us to get acclimated to the style. It’s very literary, with some small time shifts, and very poetic.

This week was the week to start reading. Discussion of Part 1 will begin on Sunday, August 4th; Part 2 on August 11th, and Part 3 on August 18th.

I have been reading ahead, so I can moderate the discussion. This is a mesmerizing novel, and I assure you the reader will get spiritual blessings from it. Ron Hansen is not undermining the faith in any way. I believe he is building it. I say that without knowing the ending yet.

[Manny]

I've been told I misspelled "postulant" above. Corrected now. What is strange is that "postulant" comes up as misspelled in my computer dictionary. I guess need to add it in.

But no excuses. I'm a terible speler. ;)