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Through the Narrow Gate: A Nun’s Story
by Karen Armstrong (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (331)
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Prime Savings Get $10 off $120 with Afterpay. Enter code AFTERPAYPD at checkout. Discount by Amazon. TermsThrough the Narrow Gate is Karen Armstrong’s memoir of life inside a Catholic convent in the 1960’s.
With gentleness and honesty, Armstrong takes her readers on a revelatory journey that begins with her decision, at the age of seventeen, to devote her life to God as a nun. yet once she embarked upon her spiritual training, she encountered a frightening and oppressive world, fossilized by tradition, which moulded, isolated and pushed her to the limit of what she could endure.
Print length
320 pages
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Product description
Review
‘This articulate and sensitive writer spares no punches in her account of the agonising fight to find herself under the weight of rules and expectations, lies and aggression… Through the Narrow Gate is written as racily and as emotionally as a novel… the picture of convent life is vivid and terrifying.’ Good Housekeeping.
‘Painful and honest… Karen Armstrong’s simple account of her struggles – both in pursuit of that self-death that the true religious craves and, later, against her unconscious rejection of life in an ultra-strict Order – says a great deal about destructive trends in modern life… A very moving book.’ Daily Telegraph
‘Seldom has a story of personal inspiration and tragedy radiated such warmth, freshness and candour… As beautifully recounted as it is heart-rending.’ Irish Press
The strength of this unself-pitying chronicle is the author’s capacity to convey the overwhelming attraction of the life she sought, even as she documents its shattering effect on the human personality… A scrupulous record of one woman’s spiritual journey, excellently written and profoundly moving.’ Cosmopolitan
From the Inside Flap
Available in Canada for the first time since its initial publication in 1981, this is acclaimed author Karen Armstrong's classic memoir of her life as a young woman in a convent -- the precursor to the bestseller The Spiral Staircase.
Through the Narrow Gate is Karen Armstrong's intimate memoir of life inside a Catholic convent. With honesty and clarity, she explains what drove her at age seventeen to devote herself to God. Over the next seven years, she endures the difficulties of convent life -- the enforced silence, the lack of friendship and family, her own guilt at not being able to stifle her voracious intelligence -- and unveils the secrets of religious life during the post-Vatican II years.
Through the Narrow Gate is a moving account of a young woman's search for God and the experiences that put Karen Armstrong on her way to becoming one of the most admired and most respected interpreters of religious faith.
From the Back Cover
'Through the Narrow Gate' is Karen Armstrong's memoir of life inside a Catholic convent in the 1960s. With gentleness and honesty, Armstrong takes her readers on a revelatory journey that begins with her decision, at the age of seventeen, to devote her life to God as a nun. Yet once she embarked upon her spiritual training, she encountered a frightening and oppressive world, fossilized by tradition, which moulded, isolated and pushed her to the limit of what she could endure.
The book was an international best-seller when it was first published in 1981. This revised edition, with a new introduction by the author, brings Karen Armstrong's remarkable story of devotion and suffering to a new generation of readers.
“This articulate and sensitive writer spares no punches in her account of the agonising fight to find herself under the weight of rules and expectations, lies and aggression… 'Through the Narrow Gate' is written as racily and as emotionally as a novel… the picture of convent life is vivid and terrifying.”
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
“Painful and honest…Karen Armstrong's simple account of her struggles – both in pursuit of that self-death that the true religious craves, and, later, against her unconscious reflection of life in an ultra-strict Order – says a great deal about destructive trends in modern life… A very moving book.”
DAILY TELEGRAPH
“The strength of this unself-pitying chronicle is the author's capacity to convey the overwhelming attraction of the life she sought, even as she documents its shattering effect on the human personality… A scrupulous record of one woman's spiritual journey, excellently written and profoundly moving.”
COSMOPOLITAN
About the Author
Karen Armstrong was born in Worcestershire. After becoming a nun in the 1960s, she left her order and lectured in literature at London University before becoming a full time writer, broadcaster and international adviser on religious and political affairs. She has addressed US Congress, the UN and Canadian parliament on Islam and fundamentalism. Among her other books is the bestselling ‘History of God’.
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Product details
ASIN : B00HY5CVK6
Publisher : Flamingo
Accessibility : Learn more
Publication date : 30 January 2014
Language : English
File size : 579 KB
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 320 pages
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From Australia
From other countries
- Diane CormierReviewed in Canada on 23 March 2015
Finally The Truth Comes Out
I was a Catholic. My 2 older sisters were in a convent for only a short time .My parents rescued them one day . They went to the convent unannounced and demanded to see them.when they found them, they were a mess. Thin unhappy, dark circles under their eyes and their fingers were raw from cleaning. They were 14 & 15 at the time. Not legal by Law. My parents did not deter from the religion,and we went to church faithfully every Sun. By the time I was 15 too many WRONG things were happening in the Church. I no longer have faith in that Religion . As I was reading this book all I could think of was the word CULT. In fact that is exactly what these young girls were, in a cult . Told what to do and how to do it. What to eat, even how much to eat. At times I felt so sad for them. - M. J. RobinsonReviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 May 2010
Negating the ego - fascinating yet harrowing insight
Karen Armstrong gives the reader a very detailed picture of what life was like in a Catholic Covent in the 60s. I would imagine convent life these days is probably very different. It was a disturbing read at times as Karen - obviously intellectually extremely gifted - battles with her questioning mind and struggles with obeying her superiors who are supposed to help her empty herself of her worldly ego and thus open herself up to God's will. Many faith traditions have at their core this aim of negating the ego and emptying oneself up to the divine impulse. I found the whole convent scene in this book incredibly bleak and saw few glimpses of divine love and more exhibitions of anger and cruelty from the so-called superiors which shocked me. There were, thankfully, one or two moments when human compassion crept in.
Karen Armstrong seemed to have a deep sense of self-criticism and she displayed some self-mastery and this enabled her to be one of the survivors of the batch of 10 postulants which shows her strength and resilience and in fact worthiness for a faith path. What a pity she hadn't embarked on a more compassionate, more self-directed path as someone like Etty Hillesum (Jewish diarist - see 'A Life Transformed' by Patrick Woodhouse) did and really found God. Whatever the outcome the whole experience has made Karen Armstrong the great writer on religious affairs we have today and that suggests that Karen is now leading a more integrated life with herself and the divine and has realised her unique gift in this life through her writing and lecturing career. It is a pity though that the convent superiors didn't recognise Karen's talent and nurture it like the superiors of the Trappist monk Thomas Merton (1915-1968) fruitfully did. The convent life, by suppressing her natural creativity, possibly fostered Karen's formation as a writer - no experience is wasted in life and as a result the individual grows in self-realisation.
A fascinating read. A book recommended for anyone seriously contemplating institutionalised faith seeking and for those who are just interested in what makes people subject themselves to such institutionalised austerities as a way of perfecting themselves. The drive in some people to seek perfection of self and the paths they take to attempt to achieve this realisation is a humbling insight into the deep recesses of the human psyche and its longing for something greater than itself. The combinations are endless and extremely fascinating. Karen's 'aborted' journey in the convent is just one way. It is interesting to reflect how the writing gifts of Karen Armstrong (writes on all faiths), Etty Hillesum (diaries) and Thomas Merton (Trappist monk and prolific writer) help other generations expand their knowledge of the divine and across faiths. As Thomas Merton said: 'For me to be a saint is to be myself.' Karen Armstrong has encountered her true self as a writer. - DeepsReviewed in India on 11 April 2015
First impression - Great inspiring book!
Whew just taken off on the journey with Armstrong on her autobiography and the very start itself is breathtaking. Loving every page.
Unable to find the sequel 'Beginning the world' by Armstrong listed anywhere. If anyone has info pl respond thanks.
Will add to the review after the read - Bruno Achilles GoffinReviewed in Spain on 18 July 2016
Salir del convento
Una mujer muy fuerte habla de sus experiencias como religiosa en un monasterio de la edad media. Personalmente creo que no necesitamos la intervención de sacerdotes, obispos, lamas o religiosas para poder conectar con la chispa divina que está en cada uno de nosotros. - Sandra M. TaylorReviewed in the United States on 9 March 2014
This is one of my very favorite books of all time.
I appreciated the insight provided in this well written work, which revealed Ms. Armstrong's unique experience. She reveals her emotional and spiritual struggles with her faith and God as a young women. - Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on 23 July 2022
Karen Armstrong’s lead-up to a Nun’s Life.
An honest and heart wrenching account of her experience in the convent prior to her being ordained. This is corroborates other accounts of “CONVENT GIRLS” in Australia and my wife’s accounts of her Life as a student boarder in a UK convent. That Miss Armstrong survived her harrowing treatment without malice and bitterness and has triumphed as a Religious Authority is a story of triumph of the human spirit against
all odds. - Dr Rajesh NoahReviewed in India on 11 September 2017
A must read book
Read this and its sequel and enrich and supplement it by listening to Karen on the YouTube. TED talk and others. - SandyReviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 March 2013
A fascinating, easy to read, heartbreaking and encouraging memoir.
The first time I read this book it was almost by accident. But the memory of it never left me and nearly 20 years later I have read it again. It is the story of a 17 year old girl, who in the early '60s, chose to enter a convent having been educated in a convent school. She tried for 7 years, through ill health mentally and physically, emotional and tactile deprivation, intense feelings of loneliness and constant reprimands, to bend her will to the requirements of her chosen life. As the author describes her experiences and emotions, constantly reassessing her behaviour, trying to modify her thoughts and suppress feelings, it is incredible to think that there are any who remained in the convent their entire lives. Having just finished reading The Spiral Staircase which follows on from from this, it shows what a significant impact those 7 years had on the rest of her life.
An excellent and thought provoking read. - kate connerReviewed in the United States on 24 June 2017
My trip back to convent days-
Excellent writing. She was right on. My experience was not so painful and in the US. Her writing is such that everything was captured and shared down to the varnish and starchy coll
ars.
- Mrs. S. M. ElkingtonReviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 July 2009
Through the Narrow Gate
The book is a memoir of Karen Armstrong's life inside a Catholic convent in 1960's.
My interest in reading the book was to try and understand why any young girl chooses to become a nun. I also wanted to learn what being a nun entailed. I was drawn to this book because I knew Karen left the convent and was released from her holy vows, thus I felt she would be analytical and questioning about the process of becoming a nun and give the reasons as to why she had to leave.
Background from the web
Karen born in 1945 in Worcestershire. She is the author of many books including the well known book the `History of God.' After being a nun she did a Phd but had her dissertation rejected. She then taught in a school but was asked to leave. She struggled with her life outside the convent and felt suicidal not knowing how to live without the regimentation of a convent. After leaving the convent she became an atheist and was often described as a rebellious ex catholic, outspoken on religion. A trip to Jerusalem in 1983 was a turning point in her life as she became interested in the commonality of all faiths. After September 11th terrorist attack she was in great demand in the US as speaker on Islam. She drew up a Charter on Compassion which applied shared moral priorities to foster a greater global understanding of all faiths. She won the TED award for her interfaith initiatives. Her 12th book is called Islam, a short History. She now describes herself as a freelance monotheist, she has never returned to the Catholic Church or any other religion. She is still described as sharp tongued, but there is a greater reconciliation propelling her through life now.
The Book
The writing of the book was a watershed for Karen. Friends wanted to know about life in the convent; she often just told them funny stories. But she became increasingly aware of the need to recount the memories of life in the convent before they became a distant memory. Her first draft was very angry and black and her editor said that if life had been that bad why did she remain in the convent? She rewrote two drafts and gradually the positive memories of the beauty of the liturgy and the spiritual quest for meaning began to emerge as reasons why she stayed through the novice years to become a nun. The book was well written but much of it uncomfortable and distressing.
At 17 Karen left her family to become a nun, against their wishes but with their understanding. Karen's mother makes a very wise statement:
Page 51 "I suppose said my mother......anything properly"
The sadness of Karen entering the convent and saying goodbye to her family was powerfully written.
There was much on learning to become a bride of God but also some heart wrenching moments particularly over food and cooked cheese
Page 80 The macaroni slithered onto my plate in a soft mound....eat the whole plateful."
Karen had difficulty with sewing and doing jobs that she saw as boring but more than anything she missed reading
Page 96 "But manual work was tedious.......she was furious"
The conflict that Karen experienced with family life and that of being a nun was huge and meant that when she met her family which was only on two occasions they were strained and Karen found herself telling lies. They bombarded her with questions:
Page 112 and so the questions went on......and act like a nun naturally.
There were many humorous bits in the book such as when they were getting ready for the clothing ceremony and they had to dress as brides
Page 126 "One or two children were ..... To regain balance."
At some points in the book I felt cross, why did she want to become a nun, to be a bride of God? Particularly in the clothing ceremony and what was expected of each postulant. The notion of the marriage to God seemed so great
Page 131 "It is god who is the origin......holding nothing back"
The frustration Karen felt on not being able to use her brain often came out
Page 147 "I sat back on my heels and sank .... stupid kind of perversion."
T here was the interesting development of Karen's hysteria and the method of dealing with it by self beating and then the realisation that this act brought on aroused sexual feelings.
Page 176 " does it mean I am not suited to the vow......I could tell."
Karen then became a student of literature at Oxford and she really began to question her vows. The notion that the nuns should not have friends and should not discuss issues caused much anguish for Karen. During a discussion with Mother Praeterita :
Page 220: And so, sisters. Mother was ...... I don't think God wants it all"
As I read the book I always wondered whether Karen's desire to be a nun was some sort of escape from the troubles and growing sexuality of being a teenager. As a student at Oxford Karen found the work of Iris Murdoch affected her profoundly. Murdoch's view is that sexuality cannot be suppressed completely in a religious experience and that in some way it will manifest itself. This notion worried Karen and she did try and suppress it. But she does voice her thoughts:
Page 231: "had my desire to become a nun been some sort of adolescent sexual escape? Had my knowledge ....lifetime of rejection."
In the end giving up her vows and leaving the life of a nun was quite sudden and she felt the loneliness of entering the material world very difficult. - Charlotte R.Reviewed in the United States on 1 November 2014
Four Stars
Interesting book. - SReviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 August 2011
Excellent book, highly recommended
As an ex-nun myself, though Buddhist rather than Christian, I found this account amazingly good. Although my experience was very different I could easily understand how Karen felt, and the ins and outs of convent life as she described them.
I don't know what sort of people read these books other than ex-nuns, but I highly recommend this to the ex-nun populations of any religious tradition. Most people won't have a clue what it's been like for us, but reading this book you feel you've an ally in Karen.
Of all the nun and ex-nun books I've read over the few years, since giving back my vows, this is by far the best. - Rachel ReaderReviewed in the United States on 23 April 2015
Karen wins my respect from the start. I have ...
Karen wins my respect from the start. I have been through everything she describes, having followed the same path the same time. There is no trace of sentimentality or victimization, but much compassion throughout the retelling of a difficult, dark journey. She told my story...... - Susan SmithReviewed in the United States on 9 January 2014
Insightful and clear
Karen Armstrong is one of the most intelligent writers and women in our world today. Her insights are brilliant, truthful and honest. This book is remarkable and well written. - lloydReviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 April 2012
Ok
The first chapter grasped me with the author telling the reader that she entered the convent at 17! I did eventually read the book, but it took perservance! At times it did get SO boring, with her conflict, as crucial as it was! Overalll I was dissappointed with this book somehow. Even though, she potrayes her turmoil and questions her faith and what she is doing in the convent to begin with, I did find myself losing pstience with the author somehow. It does so make you question why did she ever enter the convent in the fist place! This book is SO DISAPPOINTING.DO NOY BUT IT! I thought I would buy the sequel book to it,to find out how the author has developed after this.But if this book, is anything to by, I am SO not going to buy it! her storytelling, for me is SO boring!! D - Laura ThomsonReviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 December 2010
Moved me to Tears
I decided to re-read this first volume of Karen Armstrong's autobiography when the second (The Spiral Staircase) came to the top of Mt ToBeRead. I remembered most of the content - Karen is a former nun and this book explains why - but I'd forgotten how deeply moving I'd found it. This time around I think I only cried twice.
Last time I read Through the Narrow Gate, was either just before or during my journey to converting to Catholicism through the RCIA process. The Roman Catholic Church has changed a great deal since the 1960s when Karen was in her convent but, even so, I feel there was less I simply did not understand this time around. That said, Karen is excellent at explaining (as one would expect from such an established writer of religious non-fiction) but she doesn't go into the nuts and bolts of Catholicism in this book. Instead, she's focussed on her own spiritual journey in, and out, of a religious Order.
This could be a depressing book and, indeed, I believe Karen was probably depressed during some of the events she describes. In the Introduction she admits to having written several drafts which were 'black and angry' but the finished item is warm and engaging. Although she does not spare herself (or the Order) a long, hard look, she is generous with what she finds.
I'm looking forward to reading The Spiral Staircase when I'm finished my current book - Lisa Bevere's You are not What You Weigh. - Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United States on 14 October 2016
Great memoir. I love that Armstrong never accuses or ...
I had read this before and loaned out my copy, never saw it again as occasionally happens. This was a replacement and I will read it again. Great memoir. I love that Armstrong never accuses or condemns, she simply moves on. - Armand AaronReviewed in the United States on 5 July 2015
Loved it.
Sincere, honest, and insightful. I had already read The Spiral Staircase and wondered whether it was worth reading her first book; it was. - R. K-PReviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 October 2024
Fascinating
Karen’s story is beautifully written and gave a wonderful insight into a life that I think a number of people are intrigued by but just don’t know enough about. She is honest about her feelings, reflective without being too maudlin, and comes across as a real tour de force (in a good way!). I’m really pleased I read this, and bought her follow-up book as I enjoyed this one so much.
- strausswaltzReviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 May 2017
An aweful awful story.
Very interesting story spoilt for me by the Americanisation of some words. The book is clearly set in England. It is also a shame she chose to keep to herself which order of nuns and their location. I was horrified by her experiences, especially when she was obviously ill and also when she decided to leave - no normal clothes and not really knowing what she was going to do. It paints a very uncaring view of the nuns. Having said all that I can't wait to read what happened next. - Judy MartinReviewed in the United States on 11 December 2015
I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did
Very informational. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. - Mrs. E. A. MarksReviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 December 2017
Oh boy, I've had my doubts about 'organised church' ...
Oh boy, I've had my doubts about 'organised church' for a long time, but Karen Armstrong managed to cut through the flapping and come right to the point. Any self respecting nun reading this should take a long hard look at herself; without a doubt the crowd Ms Armstrong found herself locked up with for so many years had in the main entirely shed their humanity. Devoting your life to God is one thing, but callously abusing those around you in His name whilst you're doing it takes a very special kind of single-minded blindness! Well done, Ms. Armstrong, for escaping and for making such a success of your life after the veil! - piers beckettReviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 February 2016
Excellent, 'from the horse's mouth' account of convent life ...
Excellent, 'from the horse's mouth' account of convent life from a novice to nun beginning in 1962. The date is significant as things changed drastically a few years later when a wholly different and more lenient regime was introduced. This is a very factual as well as a very personal account only of interest, I would say, to readers who are truly interested in what it was like for a very intelligent, young woman to enter the cloister at that time.
Karen Armstrong's story of the battles she had with the stringent rules and regulations and with her own vocation for seven years is most revealing and deceptively simply told. - noelReviewed in the United States on 26 April 2025
5 stars for content, 1 star for printing
Armstrong is magnificent! Funny, insightful, and engaging. However, the print job on this edition of the book is atrocious!!! I may have missed where they indicate it is a Print on Demand copy, but they really do need to indicate it much more conspicuously on the actual product page.
When I saw it was a St. Martin Griffin publication I was expecting a matte cover protecting buttery, soft pages with an adaptable spine. It is none of those things. The cover alignment is off, text is blurry, the whole physical book feels unyielding and cheap. I’ve ordered another edition and once it arrives I’ll return this one. The whole POD books are definitely a good motivator to buy Used books rather than New. - Katriona JohnReviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 January 2018
An extraordinary insight into a little-known world
I'm not sure that "love" is the right word for a memoir that deals with such extreme and painful experiences, but this book was an extraordinary insight into a religious way of life that might seem distant even to many modern Christians, let alone to those of us in the secular world. Karen Armstrong does a fine job of delineating her own reasons for taking up this way of life, and of giving rounded portrayals even of the most fanatical members of her community. - FlossieReviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 May 2021
Lessons in compassion
I found the book provided a fascinating insight into the life of a young nun and the hardships imposed on her - not merely the hardship of not being able to see her family, but the decision that food intolerance/allergy was merely giving in to indiscipline. Not all of the nuns seem to have been compassionate in their treatment of the postulates and novices. - Mrs A RedmondReviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 March 2024
Book about a young girl entering a convent in the 1960s
Really enjoyed this well written and moving story. - Bobby FairfaxReviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 October 2020
Love Zola. Love Tolstoy penguin classics excellent read of course
That's what I call a good book fascinating and compelling a joy to read if you are truly green and eco friendly name lgbtq covid 19 open minded empathy read this over 55 read this highly recommended reading 📖 as good as zola and Tolstoy you will love this - Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 April 2020
Do not feel that Armstrong is sincere in her account. Not well-written either.
Did not like this book. I purchased it by mistake. I wanted the Monica Baldwin one, I LEPT OVER THE WALL. This book is not about convent life at all. It is about the ego of Karen Armstrong, who made her name trashing the Catholic Church. If you want to know about convent life, and why someone might leave it after many years, I recommend the Baldwin one. It explains the daily liturgy, the prayer life, the problems of living in a monastery with great understanding and, the reader feels that she, Baldwin, is honest. I felt that Armstrong was just looking for a fast way to make money.
- Sasha BellReviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 July 2015
and thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so that I had to ...
I had this book many years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so that I had to find it again. It is a humerous and heartbreaking read, concerning a 16year old girl in the 1960's entering a convent, taking her vows, and eventually after years of seclusion coming back out to face a world that had moved on without her. Recommended read. - stwkReviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 June 2018
Beautiful and enjoyable
I loved reading this book. I felt it was a very honest and thorough account of the author's journey. It has been written beautifully painting a detailed picture of a way of life that is not accessible to most people. - Marianne AndersonReviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 November 2020
A great author She has written other books and they also are excellent
I read this book a few years ago was as great as I remembered
Well done seller for finding it - MISS F E WINTERReviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 July 2016
I was pleased to read this first part of Karen Armstrong's story
Having already read The Spiral Staircase, I was pleased to read this first part of Karen Armstrong's story. - Shirley Ann WagnerReviewed in the United States on 29 November 2012
Through the Narrow Gate
I like memoirs and especially re: this subject Karen is remarkable to have survived. My book club is very interested in it. - SamKDReviewed in the United States on 7 May 2014
Intriguing
Very interesting. More cerebral and less daily-life than Karol Jackowski's Forever and Ever, Amen . The world of her convent was surprisingly different. I read it as background prior to trying some of her later works but it would also be a fine stand-alone memoir. - Hina BelitzReviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 July 2016
Brilliant!
This is a brilliant and deeply honest account of every different world. I am so pleased Karen took the decision to share it with us along with her aspirations and the very real suffering she endured. Hina Belitz - Janet LazellReviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 July 2019
An insight into the life of a religious before the Pope of the day sent them out to work in society
I knew some of the nuns described in this book and learnt that Karen Armstrong's name was legion for revealing the truth. - Eilish AgnewReviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 May 2014
A Nun's Story
Very well written and I'm sure it was cathartic for the author but I had expected something more like Kathryn Hulme's "The Nun's Story" so was a bit disappointed at the rather bland story-line. - Veronica AtkinsonReviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 September 2014
intelligent young person determined to succeed in her convictions in ...
Miss Armstrong's accounts of her experience is an eye opener. She writes so clearly, presenting a depth of thought
and psychology of a devoted, intelligent young person determined to succeed in her convictions in spite of a barrier
confronting her.
- Elizabeth MatsonReviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 June 2017
Three Stars
I thought the writer exaggerated her experiences. However it was OK.
Thanks , Elizabeth - Christine H.Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 April 2022
a goodread
OK as ordered.to read - MopsyReviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 January 2016
Four Stars
Gives a revealing picture of life in a convent. Honest and challenging account. - Mrs Monica KayeReviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 August 2015
Three Stars
Hated the book but certainly opened my eyes to the way people can be brainwashed - pollymgReviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 July 2015
Loved it
My mum went to the same convent as a child so I was fascinated and simply couldn't put it down. A shocking account of the poison behind what could be a beautiful religion! - Myra BoschReviewed in the United States on 24 July 2014
A Must Read
This book is brilliantly written! Karen Armstrong describes her gradual change of religious affiliation with skill, building small incidents within the monastery up to a climax that leads to her final disillusion with the church. - Deborah F. MontagueReviewed in the United States on 19 January 2015
Four Stars
This was a gift - joanReviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 April 2016
Excellent read, found this book very informative of religious ...
Excellent read, found this book very informative of religious life in the 60's. Well done to the author could not stop reading, it was so interesting. - sharie k cameronReviewed in the United States on 4 April 2015
Enjoyed very much
Really good - Gabrielle Azzaro Futures SchoolReviewed in the United States on 12 January 2011
Through the Narrow Gate
This book is very simply written but portrays the joy and difficulty of being a religious sister at the time this young woman entered. Since I was a religious and left, I found a lot of what she said helpful in validating my experience.
- MeredithReviewed in the United States on 22 June 2015
Eloquently describes the spiritual, emotional growth of a young ...
Eloquently describes the spiritual, emotional growth of a young woman as she struggled in maintaining her own identity in her religious pursuit I found reading this to be inspiring .. - sharonReviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 April 2014
Good book
This is the first book I have read about nuns and found it interesting and in some places distressing. This is a really good book and I would recommend it. - SandraReviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 May 2017
Enjoyed it.
Read this book years ago. Fascinating then so decided to read it again after all these years. Enjoyed it. - Stella LunaReviewed in the United States on 1 September 2013
Excellent, honest writing.
I really don't feel like writing a book review, so I won't! I'm a little annoyed that Amazon forces you to fill out this remarks section; it used to be optional. - Kulsoom IqbalReviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 October 2015
Three Stars
not what I expected - Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United States on 26 November 2016
Five Stars
Gives such an intimate and detailed account of her experience--I found it hard to put down. - J. Paul LennonReviewed in the United States on 25 November 2015
Spiritual and Very Human
With great balance and without bitterness author tells her story of being a member of a contemplative nuns order - Prof. Shair Abdul-ManiReviewed in the United States on 17 August 2016
Five Stars
Self-determined followers of the rabbi from Galilee MUST read this memoire..AND searchers of Certainty!! Amen. - Thomas J HostomskyReviewed in the United States on 18 January 2013
A NUN'S STORY
Karen Armstrong is a wonderful writer and gives an unvarnished account without grinding an ax on her experience inside the cloister during the upheaval of the Sixties. - AmazonianReviewed in the United States on 26 July 2016
Five Stars
Item in fine condition at a great price delivered on time. Thank you.
