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maddie_kasia's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
chloebarneyy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
A beautifully messy telling of life growing up in a catholic school. The book focuses on the development and inner thoughts of the main character in a way that feels as though you’re inside her own mind. It was a comforting book that reminded me of my own experiences but also at the same time was unsettling and provocative with regard to the Catholic Church. A must read for anyone who enjoys books with religious themes and complicated characters.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Religious bigotry
jalb's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
thebookboy's review against another edition
5.0
A little masterpiece that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish.
I think what I appreciated most about White's work is the way it dives so unrelentingly into the ins and outs of catholicism within convent schools and the strange rituals and severe measures that this way of life entails. It explores the whole concept in a way that is both seductive and off-putting in equal measure, perfectly captured by Nanda's wavering feelings between the two extremes and her struggles and adorations about the system in place.
It's so intricate and interesting - a system for where passes for certain behaviours are written on paper bound with pink ribbon, letters home and books are censored, and friendships with others and certain talents discouraged. It has the feel of a dystopia while being entirely real.
The characters are great too - from the imposingly icy Mother Frances to the bored and haughty Leonie, each of the women (there are very few men in this tale) are so life-like and perfect, it's easy to imagine them all as living and breathing creatures.
My one minor complaint is that the book does drag ever so slightly in the middle, but it really is a minor blip in what is a very impressive and poignant portrayal of a life that, before reading this, I could not begin to even imagine.
4.5 stars.
I think what I appreciated most about White's work is the way it dives so unrelentingly into the ins and outs of catholicism within convent schools and the strange rituals and severe measures that this way of life entails. It explores the whole concept in a way that is both seductive and off-putting in equal measure, perfectly captured by Nanda's wavering feelings between the two extremes and her struggles and adorations about the system in place.
It's so intricate and interesting - a system for where passes for certain behaviours are written on paper bound with pink ribbon, letters home and books are censored, and friendships with others and certain talents discouraged. It has the feel of a dystopia while being entirely real.
The characters are great too - from the imposingly icy Mother Frances to the bored and haughty Leonie, each of the women (there are very few men in this tale) are so life-like and perfect, it's easy to imagine them all as living and breathing creatures.
My one minor complaint is that the book does drag ever so slightly in the middle, but it really is a minor blip in what is a very impressive and poignant portrayal of a life that, before reading this, I could not begin to even imagine.
4.5 stars.
mrswythe89's review against another edition
3.0
My two favourite things in this book
1) The headmistress's speech to the girls, that old staple of school stories, runs as follows.
"Some of that severity which to the world seems harshness is bound up in the school rule which you are privileged to follow .... We work today to turn out, not accomplished young women, nor agreeable wives, but soldiers of Christ, accustomed to hardship and ridicule and ingratitude."
AWESOME.
2) Leonie de Wesseldorf. omg omg what an awesome character.
1) The headmistress's speech to the girls, that old staple of school stories, runs as follows.
"Some of that severity which to the world seems harshness is bound up in the school rule which you are privileged to follow .... We work today to turn out, not accomplished young women, nor agreeable wives, but soldiers of Christ, accustomed to hardship and ridicule and ingratitude."
AWESOME.
2) Leonie de Wesseldorf. omg omg what an awesome character.
rhifallows's review against another edition
3.0
I’ve read a couple of the Virago Classics in the past and really enjoyed them as a deviation from my usual. I was attracted to this one as it’s a) beautiful and b) set in a school and I love boarding school/coming of age type books.
This book, first published in 1933, is the first of Antonia White’s semi autobiographical novellas (one of four) and tells of her time in a strict convent school. Set pre war, our protagonist Nanda, a recent catholic convert is sent to the repressive convent school at the age of nine and attends until the age of fourteen. Her quest for ultimate piety and acceptance within the religion is palpable despite the fact that there are also glimpses that she wants to know more of the world and to explore herself beyond the constraints of the religion.
There’s a good deal of the book that deals with various catholic traditions and although mostly interesting, it did get a little dry in some areas. I found the latter stages of the novel, when Nanda has developed more friendships and is starting to have more of a sense of self, much more engaging. I would therefore be really interested to read the books that follow on from this one.
This book, first published in 1933, is the first of Antonia White’s semi autobiographical novellas (one of four) and tells of her time in a strict convent school. Set pre war, our protagonist Nanda, a recent catholic convert is sent to the repressive convent school at the age of nine and attends until the age of fourteen. Her quest for ultimate piety and acceptance within the religion is palpable despite the fact that there are also glimpses that she wants to know more of the world and to explore herself beyond the constraints of the religion.
There’s a good deal of the book that deals with various catholic traditions and although mostly interesting, it did get a little dry in some areas. I found the latter stages of the novel, when Nanda has developed more friendships and is starting to have more of a sense of self, much more engaging. I would therefore be really interested to read the books that follow on from this one.
danielcoffey's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
kstav's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This book has etched phrases onto my bones and revealed words that were always there on my heart. "But she was one of those children who cannot help behaving well." A yearly reread.
judehelens's review against another edition
3.5
for the entire february day i spent reading this i wondered whether i should become a nun. not for everyone, but it was for me.