Welcome to Litsy!

I ended up enjoying our April #NunLitQuarterly pick quite a bit. Rich in historical detail. Lots of inner turmoil for our young heroine. A good deal of drama yet filled with quiet, reflective moments. I think it was meant to be a happy ending, but I was left feeling concerned about how things might play out—hopefully just lots of romance and reading.

Estella, a defrocked nun turned governess, lives in a decaying house in an abandoned Italian village perpetually threatened by engulfment in a slow landslide. While she is alone of the living, ghosts of the former inhabitants are drawn to her, and they reluctantly relive their sadnesses. There's a nod to Poe's House of Usher in the metaphor of the collapsing structures mirroring Estella's psychological decline.
I learned of Derrida's concept of ⬇️

“she prayed and worked on a paperole that was meant to have a gleaming white consecrated host at its center.”

The art of paperole has been mentioned a few times. Had to go searching for some images. Found this beautiful example.

#NunLitQuarterly

“She opened the package—it was another novel, The Monk. The title made her smile…She leafed through it, as she always did. Every book has its own identity and characteristics, and Agata had a ritual that she followed in order to get to know and love a book…and only then did she pick up the paper knife. She put the little uneven tabs of paper that ripped off as she cut the pages into her mouth, as if they were communion wafers.”

#NunLitQuarterly

Repost for @jlhammar

#NunLitQuarterly 🔔 April 2024 reminder 🔔

Ciao Sisters!

Our next selection, The Nun by Simonetta Agnello Hornby, takes us to 19th century Italy. Read the book sometime in April, post your review &/or any thoughts along the way and be sure to tag the group.

All are welcome!

#NunLitQuarterly 🔔 April 2024 reminder 🔔

Ciao Sisters!

Our next selection, The Nun by Simonetta Agnello Hornby, takes us to 19th century Italy. Read the book sometime in April, post your review &/or any thoughts along the way and be sure to tag the group.

All are welcome!

There are parts to this book that are hard to read - the abuse faced by multiple characters and the plain hatred some have for others. But, there are signs of hope and forgiveness in the narrative. It‘s a study in faith, perseverance, living one‘s truth, and knowing everyone deserves “to love and to be loved.”

Great choice for #NunLitQuarterly !

This book really puts you through the wringer. Unflinching and affecting. Lots of difficult content, most (sadly) inspired by true stories Dillon encountered while researching. Sister Evelyn was a great character.

I wonder if an adaptation is still in the works? See link in comments below.

#NunLitQuarterly

Based on the other reviews it might be just me but I had issues with this book and bailed on it. #nunlitquarterly #nunlit

I read this book for #NunLitQuarterly and all I can say is Thank You! to @jlhammar for bringing this one into my world. I raced through it. I can imagine devout Catholics may squirm through parts of it. The story is rich, with nuns doing good works while priests carry on and abuse their power. Dillon does not hold back in her honest portrayal of what nuns face in their calling. I was not expecting to be so riveted.