pick5 Stars • "Illuminations" by Mary Sharratt is a historical novel about Hildegard von Bingen, a medieval abbess and visionary. It explores her life from childhood in a monastery to becoming a leader and composer, highlighting her struggles against religious and societal constraints. The book is noted for its vivid historical detail and lyrical style.
pickI enjoyed this novelization of Hildegard von Bingen‘s life. I‘ve admired her music for years but didn‘t know much else about her. And this was a relaxing read for a sick day at home.
Staying home from church with a cold, I‘m listening to Hildegard von Bingen‘s music and starting this novel based on her life.
Thrifty find on my TBR today! Sushi lunch with husband, book browsing & yarn squishing made for a lovely afternoon. 😄
It‘s so dark in the pic because we‘re under a blizzard warning. 🙄 I‘m ready for a change in season already.
Fascinating article on the rescuing of Hildegard‘s work.
https://lithub.com/the-brave-women-who-saved-the-collected-texts-of-hildegard-of...
pickI don't normally read fiction based on real people and books that take place in the 12th century are not usually my thing either, but I really liked this novel. It's well written and so interesting. To read at the end that most of it is based in fact is fascinating. This book makes me want to read more books about nuns.
pickAt 8 years old and for 30+ years Hildegard, a prophetess, was bricked up into 2 narrow cells with another girl to serve as “anchorites” to a monastery. This book is a fictional account of her true story—of how she managed to gain her freedom and start her own nunnery in #Germany with the patronage of the pope and an archbishop in the 1100s. There is so much to recommend this book—a celebration of women when they had no rights. But if religion ⬇️
I‘m very excited about focusing on #Germany for #foodandlit this month with its magnificent food (bratwurst tonight), and here are some of the books I may try to read. I‘m starting with the tagged book. Other than my being a 1/4 Swiss, I‘m a lot of German thanks to a large number of my ancestors immigrating from there. And my daughter is a huge fan of Bayern Munich. ⚽️ Welcome December!!
Get thee to a nunnery!
Leah‘s post yesterday inspired me to assemble all of my books featuring nuns. If a book has a nun in it, I want to read it! Some of these I‘ve read and loved (like tagged) and some are still TBR. And there are others I hope to acquire soon such as Frost in May by Antonia White, Land of Spices by Kate O‘Brien and Revelations by Mary Sharratt.
Tagging some of my fellow known #NunLit lovers.
I just spent the $1.99 for the ebook, on sale today, on a whim. Fictionalized story about a real woman, based on contemporaneous writings during her life. It looks really good.
This book will work for #Germany in December for #foodandlit
pick#sophiesworld
In Sophie‘s World, Hildegard von Bingen is discussed by Albert & Sophie.Consequently, my interest piqued, I read the tagged book & am starting the other by Fox. The novelized version of Hildegard‘s life was built on recorded facts of her life and works.Insightful and well researched, this novel brought this incredible woman to life.Loved this novel.🤍❤️💜
#weeklyreport
Finished the books in top row & the first in 2nd row.
At various stages with the 5 remaining books. #audio #historicalmystery #cozy #sophiesworld #philosophy #poetry #librarybooks
#sophiesworld #philosophy #bookconnections
Sophie‘s World-along with books I am consulting,reading that seem connected.Read first 2 ch in HofB,1 in which Fox is looking at the relationship between Hildegard‘s world view,writing & Mary Oliver‘s poetry.I think, therefore I Draw has quick summaries & short essays on various philosophers & cartoons expressing their views-lots of fun & Illuminations I started-it‘s a novelized version of HB‘s life.
pickMy interest waxed and waned as the plot galloped and lolled, but I would read it again. It deals heavily with spirituality and religion, topics I can only take in small doses, but the story is good and solid.
One of the most fascinating women of the Middle Ages is Hildegard von Bingen, a composer, philosopher and polymath. She was given to the church at age 8 and rebelled against life as a handmaiden by turning to books and writing. #TakeMeToChurch #LyricalApril
pickI devoured this entire book during a long flight. It was a cheap ebook deal I bought on a whim, but by doing so I learned a lot about a fascinating historical figure I'd never even heard of previously.
Illuminations: A Novel of Hildegard von Bingen | 
