Customer Reviews

Lesbian Nuns: Breaking Silence

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have seen this book on countless discount tables. I finally bought it and read it. This is not a tell all for lesbian nuns who reveal their sexual escapades while cloistered in a convent. This is a collection of stories told by ex nuns about their short stay in convents all across America. It is their story. Their life. Each of these women left for various reasons and all are now fullfilled in their life on the outside as out lesbians. There is nothing cheekie about this book. It is well written and well told. I am glad I finally picked it up and actually read it.

In this book we encounter the biographies and personal photos of numerous nuns or ex-nuns who have "come out" as lesbians. they talk about how they came into convent life, how they discovered their sexuality, and how that altered their religious life. Very fascinating study.

David Rehak
author of "A Young Girl's Crimes"

This book is a stunning collection of beautifully written stories, of how women came to be themselves. Each of these women's journeys was at times painful, always heart wrenching, and always written in her individual voice. This anthology is not to be taken lightly. It is not filled with the lascivious sex that a teenage boy might think, but it is dozens of true stories of evolving women who come to learn who they are, and how they fit with their definition of God. An amazing collection of stories.

"Lesbian Nuns" is not intended as an entertainment piece and is unlikely to interest the casual reader. Those interested in psychology and/or sociology will find the stories of these women's lives interesting and, perhaps, troubling.

The book leaves an almost overwhelming impression of youthful idealism shattered and betrayed.

I came across Lesbian Nuns in Amok 5th Dispatch and knew I had to read it. Don't expect detailed accounts of physical "particular friendships", instead it is more about each of their lives inside and sometimes outside their communities. Even though I enjoyed reading it, it did become more or less repetitive. There are several accounts that do stand out and will not easily be forgotten, but many are short and don't go into much detail. I think the most intersting thing about this book is that it shows how the church really was (and maybe still is?), how the church ignored, reacted, diagnosed, and "treated" these "particular friendships". This book is worth the time to read it, and read it again.

I felt compelled to write a review, especially after reading the review by [...]. I was shocked and horrified that she wrote the these women entered religious life for romantic reasons. If you read this book, you will realize the love and commitment these women carried in their hearts for God as they entered their vocations. I think it is sad that just because [...] didn't experience her religious experience like they did, she can't believe their stories. There are too many stories in this book to just write these women off. If anything I think it is a sad but accurate portrayal of how often institionalized religion hurts and controls the people it is called to love. I never aspired to be a nun, but I have experienced both goodness and harm done in the name of religion. This is a must read for critics of the Church who have issue with the religious right as well as the Catholic church. This is also a must read for women everywhere in regards to the effects of patriarchy in society.

This is weird, but good..They weren't all a short time in convents like other reviewer says..They look hippie now some of 'em...(.Healthy photos.. ) Look better..(and Happier!...) than when they were nuns... I like the revealing of Catholic nuns..initiation rituals (gotcha!) and nun life.. This was one of the first big books in the gay movement I read somewhere. Don't much care for theiR LesbO descriPtions, but description of Church (..and I'm glad their hippies..) rites is cool. Interesting like married women (like a suspense novel..) who love women. Pimpl women with good stories.