A review by heidihaverkamp
The Ninth Hour by Alice McDermott

4.0

A glimpse into the lives of an order of nursing nuns in the first half of the 20th century, seen through the eyes of a young girl who grows up with them, as her mother works in their laundry. Great storytelling, with interesting historic details, attention to women's bodies - their vulnerabilities, varying suits of armor, and pleasure -- and a panoply of perspectives on religious life, from critical to wondrous.