actualspinster's review against another edition
4.0
definitely not culturally sensitive!!! but still quite fascinating. so well written & so atmospheric but of the atmosphere of remembering not necessarily of the himalayas.... altho the mountains do loom strongly.... knowable & unknowable... weirdly timeless but in a way that makes sense.... it reminded me quite a bit of the weatherhouse by nan shepherd in a way. creepy religious women??? intense deluded love affairs ?? the earth fucking up people's lives?? i wouldnt want to defend it's specific colonial & racist lense but i did think it was more than just that too.
ayahuasca_wilde's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
hopey_02's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
maplessence's review against another edition
4.0
If you want to be thoroughly depressed, this is the book for you!
Five nuns arrive at a former harem in the Himalayas that has been gifted to them. A group of brothers has already tried & failed to establish a Catholic stronghold there. While the nuns (lead by the strongminded Sister Clodagh) wonder about this and Mr Dean, the local representative of the British Empire, strongly tries to warn the nuns off, but they are undeterred. But then the insanity starts...
Rumer Godden is one of my all-time favourite authors, but even though I have given this 4★ it would be the novel of hers I have liked the least. The high rating is for the excellent story structure & evocative language, as well as the occasional flash of humour;
(I have to say, The Little General enchanted me!)
The whole novel ripples with madness and repressed sexual tension. I wouldn't say I enjoyed the read, but I did appreciate the book.
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshessonovel.wordpress.com
Five nuns arrive at a former harem in the Himalayas that has been gifted to them. A group of brothers has already tried & failed to establish a Catholic stronghold there. While the nuns (lead by the strongminded Sister Clodagh) wonder about this and Mr Dean, the local representative of the British Empire, strongly tries to warn the nuns off, but they are undeterred. But then the insanity starts...
Rumer Godden is one of my all-time favourite authors, but even though I have given this 4★ it would be the novel of hers I have liked the least. The high rating is for the excellent story structure & evocative language, as well as the occasional flash of humour;
"There are several ways," he said shyly, "in which I'm trying to improve myself. I have a great many books and records and now I'm learning to play golf. Do you know golf, Sister? The English think it's a very serious game. I was going to learn a much more serious game called cricket, but you need twenty two people..."
(I have to say, The Little General enchanted me!)
The whole novel ripples with madness and repressed sexual tension. I wouldn't say I enjoyed the read, but I did appreciate the book.
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshessonovel.wordpress.com
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cm93's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
12grace4's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dejajoue's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
madamelacy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
2.25
The setting of the Himalayas was beautifully described. However, I found this book a bit problematic as it’s about a group of nuns whose intentions are good but they are very colonial in their attitudes. They don’t try and understand the local culture. Some of the language was racist and wouldn’t get past a modern editor.
Very slow story which wasn’t as haunting as I’d expected it to be from the blurb. For a creepy nun story I recommend Holy Fools by Joanne Harris.
Very slow story which wasn’t as haunting as I’d expected it to be from the blurb. For a creepy nun story I recommend Holy Fools by Joanne Harris.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Child death, Mental illness, and Death