Against the wishes of her parents (but with their permission), Karen Armstrong entered a convent at 17. Her memoir reveals what being a nun was like in 1960s England--the spiritual, physical and emotional challenges, as well as the joy of feeling called and chosen to strive to be close to God.
From what I understand of my mother & sister's Hindu vocations, the concept of needing to destroy one's own ego and ties to the world, including family in order to be close to God, is more similar than I would have thought for Catholics.
Armstrong is truly a believer, and her story is unbiased. If you pick this book up, and it seems slow at first, hang on until she makes it to the convent.
Recommended by Kate Haas.
reviewdate:
May 25 2013
isn:
0-312-11903-8
Comments
Kate Haas (not verified)
Wed, 05/29/2013 - 4:00pm
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The Tulip and the Pope by
The Tulip and the Pope by Deborah Larsen is another good ex-nun memoir, taking place in the same time period, about a young woman of the same age, but in the US.