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The Nuns of Sant'Ambrogio: The True Story of a Convent in Scandal by Ruth Martin, Hubert Wolf
libellum_aphrodite's review against another edition
3.0
What a shitshow. You'll have to read it to believe it. Just when I thought it couldn't get more insane, someone else was manipulated into forbidden sex.
The tale of all the backgrounds of all the nuns and confessors, who manipulated whom, and why they did so was absolutely fascinating; the deliberation of the inquisitional squad over duration of sentencing (with minimal exploration of different Catholic orders and their dislike of one another) was less so. I would have preferred to read more testimonials from the investigation in favor of this laundry list of who went to jail for how long.
While I skipped pages through the sentencing, the storytelling of the cast of characters being investigated, their history and motivations, and their behaviors throughout the trial was beautifully done. Wolf kept me engrossed as he masterfully pulled back the curtain on the nuns' backstories.
The tale of all the backgrounds of all the nuns and confessors, who manipulated whom, and why they did so was absolutely fascinating; the deliberation of the inquisitional squad over duration of sentencing (with minimal exploration of different Catholic orders and their dislike of one another) was less so. I would have preferred to read more testimonials from the investigation in favor of this laundry list of who went to jail for how long.
While I skipped pages through the sentencing, the storytelling of the cast of characters being investigated, their history and motivations, and their behaviors throughout the trial was beautifully done. Wolf kept me engrossed as he masterfully pulled back the curtain on the nuns' backstories.
theadventurousbookreader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Violence, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Rape
ameyawarde's review
4.0
Wow. This story is unbelievable. How one young nun was able to trick a whole convent into believing she was a saint, including the two confessors believed her and protected her, and one who helped her cover up her sloppy poisoning of several other nuns (and an attempt on a princess-nun who blew the whistle on the whole convent), while also having an affair with her because he did seem legitimately convinced that the Virgin Mary had told him to.. is just mind boggling. And religious higher-ups all the way up to the pope's close friends were involved in this scandal and had a hand in letting it go on as long/far as it did.
The story is super interesting, and it was written very well. I don't know a whole lot about the inner workings of the catholic political machine, but when it was relevant, complicated bureaucracy was explained in a simple and clear manner. I was also impressed with how the author did not make excuses for the inexcusable behavior of anyone involved, including the church and pope themselves, even though Hubert Wolf was(is?) a Priest.
The story is super interesting, and it was written very well. I don't know a whole lot about the inner workings of the catholic political machine, but when it was relevant, complicated bureaucracy was explained in a simple and clear manner. I was also impressed with how the author did not make excuses for the inexcusable behavior of anyone involved, including the church and pope themselves, even though Hubert Wolf was(is?) a Priest.
johndiconsiglio's review against another edition
3.0
A true-crime thriller about murderous lesbian nuns. So, really, what’s not to like? A German historian searched through secret Vatican archives to piece together this bizarre, sensationalistic historical drama. An 1850s Roman convent is overrun by orgies, exorcisms & killer nuns. The pope was not amused. OK, it’s actually a serious scholarly text on how a patriarchal church fomented religious hysteria (& even mental illness) among the same women it repressed. But, c’mon, how can you resist a book with a chapter titled “Unchastity & Sodomy”?
lorenewescott's review
1.0
finally finished, thank god
This book is not even as exciting as the description. If you would like to read a thesis on this specific convent, this book is for you. Otherwise, don't bother. I feel bad for the people who are waiting months to read this "best seller".
This book is not even as exciting as the description. If you would like to read a thesis on this specific convent, this book is for you. Otherwise, don't bother. I feel bad for the people who are waiting months to read this "best seller".
jenmcmaynes's review against another edition
3.0
The actual details of this true story-- the poisoning of a princess, the veneration of a false nun as a saint, forbidden sexual practices, even false identities--are so extraordinary that you feel like the book should be amazing. Unfortunately, it is very dry and too focused on the details of the Inquisition trial to truly take off. I hope a good novelist or director reads this; it would easily top the charts. :)
k80uva's review against another edition
3.0
Not a terrible read, but it is a considerably drier history than you'd expect.
marpesea's review against another edition
2.0
Parts of this were really fascinating (murder! sex! church scandals! people pretending to be saints/faking miracles!), but it became really dry reading as it progressed. I just don't have the stubbornness to push through the final chunk of court proceedings/Vatican politics.
Too many other exciting books on my shelf.
Too many other exciting books on my shelf.
kiriamarin's review against another edition
3.0
No meio de tanta linguagem burocrática e narrativa enfadonha ,há uma história interessante, sobre um convento e uma abadessa com traços sociopatas,falsa santidade, abuso sexual ,lesbianismo, jogos de manipulação assassinato tentativas de envenenamento e etc...
A igreja católica continua sua política interna de enterrar seus podres e esconder dos seus fiéis o que se passa atrás das portas da sua instituição, proteje criminosos, leniente nas punições e extremamente sexista no julgamento da famigerada "Maria Luisa",uma mulher com serios problemas psicológicos,talvez com traços sociopata e também uma figura fascinante que infelizmente pouco conhecemos aqui...
A igreja católica continua sua política interna de enterrar seus podres e esconder dos seus fiéis o que se passa atrás das portas da sua instituição, proteje criminosos, leniente nas punições e extremamente sexista no julgamento da famigerada "Maria Luisa",uma mulher com serios problemas psicológicos,talvez com traços sociopata e também uma figura fascinante que infelizmente pouco conhecemos aqui...