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Cloistered
- My Years as a Nun
- Narrated by: Catherine Coldstream
- Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins
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Cloistered
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Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
An astonishing memoir of twelve years as a contemplative nun in a silent monastery
Cloistered takes the reader deep into the hidden world of a traditional Carmelite monastery as it approaches the third Millennium and tells the story of an intense personal journey into and out of an enclosed life of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Finding an apparently perfect world at Akenside Priory, and a haven after the loss of her father, Catherine Coldstream trusts herself to a group of twenty silent women, believing she is trusting herself to God. As the beauty and mystery of an ancient way of life enfolds her, she surrenders herself wholly to its power, only to find that all is not as it seems behind the Order's closed doors.
Cut off from the wider world for decades, the community has managed to evade accountability to any authority beyond itself. When Sister Catherine realises that a toxic cult of the personality has replaced the ancient ideal of religious obedience, she is faced with a dilemma. Will she submit even to this, or will she be forced to speak out?
An exploration of the limits of trust, Cloistered shows us how far grief can take us along the road of self-surrender, and of how much harm is done when institutional flaws go unacknowledged. Catherine's honest account of her time in the monastery - and her dramatic flight from it - is both a beautiful love song to a lost community and a sharp critique of the abuse of power in an ancient institution.
Disclaimer: This book is a work of non-fiction based on the life, experiences and recollections of the author. In some cases names of people and places, dates, sequences and the detail of events have been changed to protect the privacy of others.
What listeners say about Cloistered
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- alison singleton
- 13-03-24
Really interesting
Fascinating to hear what goes on behind the closed doors of a convent and what happens when the door is forced open from the inside to re-experience the outside world. I am so glad Catherine found a happy life in the world outside and refers to her time in the convent as her "greatest love affair", despite all the challenges.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Andy
- 12-03-24
An insight into a closed world
This feels like a novel,not because the story is unbelievable or sensational , but because there is a lot of dialogue and the key players are well defined like characters.
It is lyrically written in particular in the early stages of the account when the spiritual experience is new to the author. I think as a reader you can smell and see the setting of the convent because the writing is so strong.
It is a moving read and the author's personal conflicts are engaging within the confines of her situation. The account leaves the reader with unanswered questions but although the author seems conflicted on many issues she seems to have resolved them to her own satisfaction.
The author is an excellent narrator and this really enhances the experience,
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- one who knows......
- 11-04-24
how well written it was
loved all of it and how Catherine was able to reflect a balanced view of her world and identify her innocence.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Granny Dub
- 14-04-24
Such a personal insight
The most unusual book that I have ever read. It showed a world that I hadn't even considered except in a romantised way.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Jean Hart
- 13-04-24
Cloistered
Beautifully written account, in a very unsensational way, about extremely difficult circumstances which few people could imagine living through. Christine held me captive to her story to the very end.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ann
- 24-04-24
A fascinating autobiography
Very well written and beautifully read. As others have said, an unusual story, even with the happy ending it’s very sad in parts, and overall I wish I hadn’t read it… at the same time being glad that I have.
Having been brought up in a convent boarding school I know how mean and nasty some nuns can be-both physical and mental cruelty.
I want to believe that being a nun, whilst tough on one hand is also living a life where others care about them and give compassion. It’s sad to see that this doesn’t happen in this case. But overall this is fascinating story I wish there was a bit more detail about day-to-day life, but overall this gave me such an insight.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- claudeV
- 13-03-24
Poignant personal account
Amazing insight into the cloistered way of life and human inner battles.
Fascinating story, beautiful narrative and singing **
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- Sue
- 23-03-24
Enlightening Rich in content painful
Beautiful speaking voice from the Author who penetrated your psyche with her suffering and alternate joy in her calling. The bullying and isolation was bravely worn with silence.
A lesson in forgiveness for all.
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- Amazon Customer
- 12-04-24
The beauty of the silence - the horror of deviant relationships
The oppressive life of an all female existence and the inability to express opinions. Not being allowed to be honest about the iniquities of life in a convent! Also the odd immorality of a life married to god, and gods numerous espouses,
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- Jude Davis
- 12-03-24
fascinating insight
Disliked that humans are so cliquey and that there's always some wronguns wherever you go.
Loved the writing, the reading and getting lost in the story. Memorable memoir. a really good book.
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