Customer Reviews

The Nun's Story

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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

A full appreciation of this beautiful (and, sadly, out-of-print) novel requires finding and reading Hulme's autobiographical book Undiscovered Country (Little, Brown & Co: 1966). It is dedicated to the REAL Sister Luke, Marie-Louise Habets, who was Sister M. Xaverine of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary (of Ghent, Belgium). Through this friendship came about Hulme's conversion to Catholicism and, of course, the wonderful novel and later - under Jewish director Fred Zinnemann's (Man for All Seasons, High Noon, From Here to Eternity) superb direction, the acclaimed film with Audrey Hepburn. Kathryn Hulme died in Hawaii in 1981, with Marie-Louise Habets, her "Sister Luke" at her bedside. Habets died in 1986. Fortunately the novel, movie, Soundtrack LP and even CD are almost constantly available on Ebay. Warner Bros. is said to be considering a DVD release featuring the scenes that were cut from the movie. The screenplay, autographed by Hepburn and Zimmermann, together with all of Hulme's papers, are in the American Writers' Collection at Yale University.

I first read this book two years ago, and to this day its message makes me stop and question my life and its course in this world. This is the type of story you want your children to read, and one, once read, which must be treasured again and again. Hulme's characters are full and rich, human in their fallibility while admirable for their ardent striving to the perfection of God's children. Sister Luke, the main character, is a person so vivid, so real, I found myself sharing her trials as she strove for that perfection, crying in frustration when thoughtlessness or simple humanity held her back. I laughed and smiled when something went right, and strove with her to understand better myself, my fellow people, and the strange world in which we live. Simply put, this is the story of a nurse who chooses a live as a nun, the struggle she makes to balance both roles while remaining true to herself, and the painful decision that finally leads her to change everything to remain honest with herself and God. It is a starkly written story that in itself is simply presented, yet makes the reader delve deeper into herself to get the full experience of this wonderful story. Even if you don't normally read religious books or don't know anything about nursing, READ THIS BOOK! There is nothing more technical to understand than the human heart, and that is truly the center of this book.

The Nun's Story, by Kathryn Hulme, is not a book that can be read in one sitting, due not only to its length but to the fact that the depth of its contents requires the reader to take a deep breath after every paragraph. This touching story tells the life of a young woman who tries arduously to become a good nun. Although The Nun's Story is not related to the majority of people's everyday lives, it demonstrates the beauty and the enchantment of a world which to many is a complete mystery. The Nun's Story is absorbing to the point of tears, a novel in which it is quite impossible not to sympathize with the character. Although it is said that Hulme's intentions were to criticize and denounce convent life, the book in no way creates that sort of atmosphere. It simply shows to the world a bit more about a very special world, and in all truth, this is done beautifully.

Picking this up was truly a whim. I had just seen the movie with Audrey Hepburn and loved it, and was curious as to how closely it followed the book.

If you are a reader who gets annoyed or distracted by side stories or tangents, this is a book for you. Hulme writes briskly, sticking to the subject, moving things along...it's as if she is using her simple, concise language as a metaphor for the nun's life, because within the unadorned narrative is a rich, complex, emotional and bewildering tale...much like the character of Sister Luke.

It's a very revealing peek into life in the convent, into the training of the Brides of Christ, and raises some very interesting questions and choices a nun must make. Absolute selflessness, and Sister Luke's own nemesis, absolute obedience. Her desire to do good cannot be kept within the context of her vows; she cannot reconcile the nurse within her and the nun within her. I thought it was a very engaging, powerful story, and it moved me profoundly.

I first read this in high school. It's very well written, diving into the life of a young nurse and doctor's daughter who strives to become the "perfect" nun Sister Luke. The time in the Belgian Congo suffers the most from the focus on the confines of the nun's life; there is much about the political and cultural background that is ignored or avoided in the depiction of the good "black boys" who learn to change dressings and the "savage monkeys" whose souls the nuns desire to convert. Back in Belgium we see Sister Luke conflicted as WWII begins - she wants to take sides, but the nuns are ordered to be nonpartisan. In high school I missed the irony between the unthinking loyalty to Belgium and its policies that the nuns show in the Congo and the loyalty to the resistance which prompts Sister Luke to leave the convent...

Others have written on the strictures of the convent that are unreal in their discipline - I think that exaggerations externalize what is normally an internal formation. For example, letting go of a higher rung on the class structure and having no control over what you eat are hard things to show in a novel - but the image of an accomplished, educated medical professional kneeling to accept soup from the bowls of other nuns makes a huge impression.

A very compelling work with not only a wonderful main character but also a very powerful sense of the essence of the religious life. Worth reading, thought-provoking.

I've read this book again and again for the past 3 years and I've enjoyed it each time. It's dept of character, the smooth writing and captivating plot still engages me. I was lucky to find a first edition, hardbound, copy after a long search around the world; if ur trying to get a copy and can't find one, don't give up. This one is worth the wait. U'll love every minute of it.

Within each one of us is a desire to transcend ourselves and truly give our life to a higher purpose. Very few try even attempt to make that desire a reality. Kathryn Hulme shows us -- realistically -- the life of a woman who travels that narrow road and the difficulties and triumphs along the way. This book has challenged me since I first became acquainted with Sister Luke 25 years ago, always reminding me that life is just not about ME.

I am not Roman Catholic (in this life). I'm not even a fan! Still, I found this book fascinating and have great respect for the author. I read a LOT (British classics like Trollope; contemporary fiction and non-fiction; biography, etc.)and this is one of the finest books I've read in a long time. Hulme's writing is off-the-charts good.
A warning is in order, though: if you're "into" pop culture to a great extent, and/or have no history of religious thought/struggle, you might not resonate to this book at all. This book is about one woman's heart, soul, mind, and body (she gets sick, very sick, more than once while serving in the Congo). It is not about sex or naughtiness.
Those who've remarked that the Rule of the order of nuns, which Gabrielle/Sister Luke struggled to follow, was "almost military" in its rigor -- were off the mark. The Rule is MUCH more stringent than military order. The Rule dictates not only details of daily life, but the workings of the mind and heart. Also, there is no retirement, no end of your hitch, no time off to lounge in barracks. The Rule is for "every day of your life, for as long as you live" (to quote the Mother Superior in *The Sound of Music*).
Author Hulme (who was the "companion" of Gabrielle after Sister Luke left the convent) managed to convey subtle ideas and feelings through her use of language, and the rhythms of thoughts, in a way which goes beyond most writing.
Monastic traditions go back to India, to the Hindus and then the Buddhists, who developed them further. Monasticism was then borrowed by the Christian (Roman Catholic, primarily) church so extensively that many may imagine it was invented by that institution. But no. Hindus and Buddhists have beads, robes, prayer, retreats, monks and nuns too, and had them FIRST. The challenges and pleasures of commitment to prayer and stillness are similar in all these traditions.
I wept numerous times while reading this book (other reviewers reacted similarly). At the end, when Gabrielle left the convent, I could feel my mind quicken and struggle with a larger horizon along with hers.
I can't recommend this book too strongly to anyone who is interested in the issues with which it deals -- commitment, prayer, struggles of the spirit, and the natural tendency we have as humans to dislike some of our fellow seekers, despite our best intentions. Get and read this book however you can; I got it through interlibrary loan.

Love love love the movie with Audrey so decided to read the book. I think that fact it is based on a true story is great. What else can you say. Great service too from Amazon.