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In This House of Brede
In This House of Brede
Author: Rumer Godden
This extraordinarily sensitive and insightful portrait of religious life centers on Philippa Talbot, a highly successful professional woman who leaves her life among the London elite to join a cloistered Benedictine community. In This House of Brede was the basis of a 1975 made-for-television film starring Diana Rigg.
ISBN-13: 9780829421286
ISBN-10: 0829421289
Publication Date: 2/2005
Pages: 656
Rating:
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 13

4.5 stars, based on 13 ratings
Publisher: Loyola Press
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Members Wishing: 9
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed In This House of Brede on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Very interesting atmospheric novel about nuns in a cloistered monastery. It is long and rambling and could never, ever get published today. Too many point of view shifts, lack of focus on the main character and what her "quest" is. Godden apparently lived in a contemplative community for three years to write this book. If the subject matter appeals to you - the meaning of a spiritual life outside of the world or the experience of living in an all-female community - then by all means pick it up. If you are looking for a riveting page-turner, best look elsewhere!
waucondacarol avatar reviewed In This House of Brede on + 319 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I first read this book in the early 70s and liked it so much. I have reread it several times and the story retains its fascinating look at convent life. It follows the life of successful London business woman Philippa Talbot when she joins a cloistered Benedictine community. As she tries to fit in the life, she is sometimes drawn into using her old skills in the business world to help the convent.
Steve-Malone avatar reviewed In This House of Brede on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is the story of a welathy woman's callin to a Catholic Bendedictine monastary. A real picture of life in a maonastary. Eventhough the names are fictional, Rumer spent 3 years lodged outside a real monastary and was allowed to interview the nuns there for material used in this novel.

A must read for anyone contemplating this life-style or who knows a monk or nun.

Descriptions of the countryside and seasons are fantastic!

Steve
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reviewed In This House of Brede on + 2 more book reviews
This is a great portrait of the life of a monastery of nuns in post war England. Absolutely absorbing.
reviewed In This House of Brede on + 5 more book reviews
A warm story of convent nuns trying to uphold the duties of their faith while facing their own mortal failures and limitations.


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