Call number
FIC GOD
Collection
Genres
Publication
Loyola Classics (2005), Edition: Reissue, 672 pages
Description
'The motto was Pax but the word was set in a circle of thorns. Peace, but what a strange peace, made of unremitting toil and effort.' Bruised by tragedy, Philippa Talbot leaves behind a successful career with the civil service for a new calling: to join an enclosed order of Benedictine nuns. In this small community of fewer than one hundred women, she soon discovers all the human frailties: jealousy, love, despair. But each crisis of heart and conscience is guided by the compassion and intelligence of the Abbess and by the Sisters' shared bond of faith and ritual. Away from the world, and yet at one with it, Philippa must learn to forgive and forget her past . . .
Subjects
User reviews
LibraryThing member kambrogi
Philippa Talbot decides to enter a monastery (a contemplative order of nuns) at the age of 42, leaving a successful professional life in London. Her small circle of friends and co-workers are shocked, and some in the rural Benedictine monastery in Brede have their doubts about her ability to change
The story follows many years, from post-WWII to the early 1960’s, each year marked by the seasonal changes of the land and the introduction of new novices who choose to follow a common path. Eventually, it reaches into the modern era of the Catholic Church, and we are witness to changes which challenge the nuns and their way of life. Perhaps most remarkable is the narrative style: Godden uses the voices of a variety of characters, some in the past, others in the present, and occasionally a few in the future, to describe most events. This 360º view creates a real sense of communal life as it is lived, day to day.
I found the book subtle in its ideas and gentle in its progress, but utterly enthralling, even inspiring. Those looking for ever-escalating action may find its episodic nature slow, and others may be put off by the class consciousness of the nuns and their traditions, as I was. In any case, one thing is sure: there is no need for the reader to be religious to enjoy or take value from the story. This book provides a peek into another life, one few of us will ever experience, but one that offers powerful questions about life, humanity, the world and our place in it.
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her life so radically in middle age. Phillipa was widowed as a young woman, and she must eventually confront even more painful experiences in her past. However, this book is not so much about her efforts to run away, but about her slow and deliberate progress toward discovering her humanity in a community of sisters. The story follows many years, from post-WWII to the early 1960’s, each year marked by the seasonal changes of the land and the introduction of new novices who choose to follow a common path. Eventually, it reaches into the modern era of the Catholic Church, and we are witness to changes which challenge the nuns and their way of life. Perhaps most remarkable is the narrative style: Godden uses the voices of a variety of characters, some in the past, others in the present, and occasionally a few in the future, to describe most events. This 360º view creates a real sense of communal life as it is lived, day to day.
I found the book subtle in its ideas and gentle in its progress, but utterly enthralling, even inspiring. Those looking for ever-escalating action may find its episodic nature slow, and others may be put off by the class consciousness of the nuns and their traditions, as I was. In any case, one thing is sure: there is no need for the reader to be religious to enjoy or take value from the story. This book provides a peek into another life, one few of us will ever experience, but one that offers powerful questions about life, humanity, the world and our place in it.
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LibraryThing member EPLTechHead
The only piece of fiction I've read more than once. As a former Cistercian novice, I can say this work evokes the atmosphere and psychology of cloistered contemplative nuns better than any other novel. Even after reading it 50+ times, the writing is so delicious it's always a joy.
LibraryThing member medievalmama
I've read this one multiple times over the years, usually when I'm wondering why I'm busting my butt making lots of money for someone else rather than stretching my soul. It's always a good read if you are interested in spirituality, monasticism, simplicity.
LibraryThing member katylit
I found this to be a very beautifully written, compelling story of a monastic community in England, mid 1960's. It loosely centres on one woman's entrance into the Benedictine abbey, but also follows the struggles, joys and sorrows of the other nuns. I found it a very personable book, portraying
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the nuns in a favourable, approachable light. Rumer Godden's use of language is lovely. Show Less
LibraryThing member brenzi
”The motto was ‘Pax,’ but the word was set in a circle of thorns. Pax: peace, but what a strange peace, made of unremitting toil and effort, seldom with a seen result; subject to constant interruptions, unexpected demands, short sleep at nights, little comfort, sometimes scant food, beset
Does that sound like something you would sign up for? And yet, over the centuries men and women did just that in order to gain the previously mentioned ‘peace’, accompanied by joy, gratitude and love. Phillippa Talbot was one of those women. Widowed during WWII, she was a very successful professional woman who had traveled throughout the world and managed hundreds of employees but felt something was missing. She made the unusual decision to leave her life among the London elites and join a cloistered Benedectine abbey, the ancient seaside Brede abbey. The narrative describes in gripping terms, all the crises that face Phillippa and the other members of the community and the sensitive ways they all choose to deal with them. The author’s rich characterizations made me admire these women, even though they weren’t all likable. Godden converted to Catholicism in 1968, the year before she wrote this book and spent three years living at the gate of a Benedectine abbey in England.
I’m not sure I can put my finger on the reason I loved this book as much as I did but I think I’m in good company. Its average LT rating is 4.36. I seldom reread but Im keeping this book with plans to read it again at some point. Simply sublime.
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with disappointments and usually misunderstood; yet peace all the same, undeviating, filled with joy and gratitude and love. ‘It is my own peace I give unto you.’ Not, notice, the world’s peace."Does that sound like something you would sign up for? And yet, over the centuries men and women did just that in order to gain the previously mentioned ‘peace’, accompanied by joy, gratitude and love. Phillippa Talbot was one of those women. Widowed during WWII, she was a very successful professional woman who had traveled throughout the world and managed hundreds of employees but felt something was missing. She made the unusual decision to leave her life among the London elites and join a cloistered Benedectine abbey, the ancient seaside Brede abbey. The narrative describes in gripping terms, all the crises that face Phillippa and the other members of the community and the sensitive ways they all choose to deal with them. The author’s rich characterizations made me admire these women, even though they weren’t all likable. Godden converted to Catholicism in 1968, the year before she wrote this book and spent three years living at the gate of a Benedectine abbey in England.
I’m not sure I can put my finger on the reason I loved this book as much as I did but I think I’m in good company. Its average LT rating is 4.36. I seldom reread but Im keeping this book with plans to read it again at some point. Simply sublime.
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LibraryThing member sapsygo
Excellent book, extremely well written and wonderful. The first quarter of the book was absolutely fantastic - so perfectly written and put together that I kept going back to re-read sentences because they were so well written. The rest of the book wasn't quite as good, but it was still a great
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book. Show Less
LibraryThing member Srabibliotecaria
I reread this book about every two years. I'm not Catholic, but I love it.
LibraryThing member bacreads
Longer than necessary for story, some characters superfluous and there were so many that a few could have been eliminated. Intriquing look and life in a convent after WWII and just as Vatican 2 is beginning. Good discussion book.
LibraryThing member soror_peregrina
I first read this book in the early 1970s, and have read it over and over... and over and over and over... many times since. It's a book I often pick up and randomly open so I can read a few pages. My favorite book... EVER.
There are other reviews that give extensive explanations about the premise,
There are other reviews that give extensive explanations about the premise,
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so I will not do that here. What attracts me to this book, in addition to an intense interest in the monastic life, is Godden's writing style, which is often as scattered as the thoughts flitting around in my own brain. Sub- and side-plots abound, she writes of her characters' thoughts as well as their words and actions; and, while some may think there's too much going on and that it should have been tightened up, I love every word of it. It's a colorful 10,000-piece jigsaw puzzle that takes time to study, think about, and digest, but in spite of that, it's no slog of a read. If the subject is of interest to you, then do make the time to read this book at least once in your life. Show Less
LibraryThing member Elpaca
Read this before converting, I remember thinking that nuns were actually human beings. A beautiful read full of doubts and fulfillment.
LibraryThing member lauralkeet
Philippa Talbot has by all accounts been a successful business woman. But she is alone, a widow also grieving the loss of a child many years earlier, and questions whether she has truly found her purpose. When Philippa decides to enter a Benedictine monastery, she begins a journey towards finding
While the main story arc is about Philippa’s journey, the novel is greatly enhanced by subplots that showcase its rich cast of characters. I became emotionally invested in every one of these women, and in the welfare of Brede as a whole. In This House of Brede stands the test of time and could be read again and again for new insights.
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both purpose and peace. Besides mastering Brede’s daily rituals, Philippa must also shed the trappings of her previous life, such as behaviors that put self before others. And she must blend into a community of women, each with both gifts and flaws, and work together to manage all aspects of the abbey’s operations, from worship to meals to health care. While the main story arc is about Philippa’s journey, the novel is greatly enhanced by subplots that showcase its rich cast of characters. I became emotionally invested in every one of these women, and in the welfare of Brede as a whole. In This House of Brede stands the test of time and could be read again and again for new insights.
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LibraryThing member japaul22
Who knew a book about nuns would be a five star read?! I unexpectedly adored this book. It centers around a Benedictine chapter of nuns - the kind of nuns who lead a contemplative life of prayer and isolate from the outside world. Philippa Talbot makes the unusual choice, as a successful
I don't consider myself at all religious anymore, and I know next to nothing about Catholicism. I was really ready to read the first 40 pages or so and set this one aside, but I was totally enamored. As you would expect, it's a quiet, reserved book, but the characters and situations also have a depth and heart that I loved.
I read this on my kindle from the library, and I'm really considering buying a hard copy for my shelves to reread some day.
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40-something business woman, to join the order. She remains the central character, and her journey to truly accepting the lifestyle and fulling opening up her heart to it is the crux of the book. But also, we see the power dynamics, relationships navigated, illness, financial difficulties of the abbey, and how the changes in the Catholic church over the 1900s will affect the Benedictine lifestyle. I don't consider myself at all religious anymore, and I know next to nothing about Catholicism. I was really ready to read the first 40 pages or so and set this one aside, but I was totally enamored. As you would expect, it's a quiet, reserved book, but the characters and situations also have a depth and heart that I loved.
I read this on my kindle from the library, and I'm really considering buying a hard copy for my shelves to reread some day.
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LibraryThing member picardyrose
Lovely writing, though after all these years of reading and rereading, it seems a bit dusty to me.
LibraryThing member oldblack
I found this story of a successful professional woman who becomes a successful benedictine nun to be rather shallow and predictable. It's really a book for the true believers. There's a cast of thousands and a dominance of 'technical' terms, jargon and Latin. The only redeeming feature to me was
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that it did point out that there's plenty of jealousy, bitching, back-stabbing, and pettiness behind these angelic wimple-clad facades Show Less
LibraryThing member jim.fahs
Interesting. I need to sit down and write down a few thoughts about this book
LibraryThing member arubabookwoman
Philippa is a middle-aged senior civil servant when she decides to give up her job and all her worldly goods and enter a convent. Philippa is the main character of this chronicle of life in a convent, but there are a dozen or so other major character, all nuns, who become living, breathing
We follow these and many others over the years, some as newly entered novitiates, all the way through to the deaths of more than one. They grow and develop as the convent suffers a financial crisis and other woes, and the nuns try to overcome their petty rivalries and peeves, all narrated with a lot of good humor.
Highly recommended.
4 stars
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individuals who we come to know deeply over the course of this novel. I am not religious, but I found reading about the inner workings of a convent fascinating. In this convent, causal nuns do most of the day to day chores (cooking, cleaning) and the most exalted nuns (Dames) have specific roles they are assigned by the Abbess or head nun. And there are some very talented and highly regarded nuns in this convent. Dame Maura was a hugely respected music leader, and chants by the nuns were highly valued by music lovers. Dame Agnes was an esteemed scholar, writing and publishing scholarly works. Another nun published poetry. One nun wove exquisite silk on the convent's loom. And so on.We follow these and many others over the years, some as newly entered novitiates, all the way through to the deaths of more than one. They grow and develop as the convent suffers a financial crisis and other woes, and the nuns try to overcome their petty rivalries and peeves, all narrated with a lot of good humor.
Highly recommended.
4 stars
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Pages
672
ISBN
0829421289 / 9780829421286