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Liked It “OK, the engaging, involving, inspiring quality is a bit spotty, but the good bits are more than worth it, and I'm not sure there are any bad bits. I went out and bought this book, having read a library copy, because I hope to return to it for the thoughts on the confluence of writing and the...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “The author, Kathleen Norris, is a poet who likes to hang out around Benedictine monasteries which actually seems like a cool and offbeat way to spend your time. Unfortunately, though, the book itself is tedious and boring with few exceptions. Ms. Norris's personality which comes through the book...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“OK, the engaging, involving, inspiring quality is a bit spotty, but the good bits are more than worth it, and I'm not sure there are any bad bits. I went out and bought this book, having read a library copy, because I hope to return to it for the thoughts on the confluence of writing and the spiritual life. Some of those sections (mostly in the first half to two-thirds of the book), actually excited me.
Rosy wrote this review Monday, November 9 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
You have to be willing to be interested in Kathleen Norris's experience with monastic Christianity and her life as a Christian and as a poet, and I certainly was. I look forward to rediscovering the gems. I'm grateful that she wrote this book.”
“I come to the end and start over in chapter one. I read a little each night before turning in...I've been reading this one for several years.
Susanna wrote this review Sunday, September 13 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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“Reads like a meditation. Beautiful!”
Patricia K wrote this review Monday, June 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“In many ways this was a beautiful and poetic book. A group of essays regarding her time as a Benedictine layperson and her studies into the monastic tradition.The portions on women and celibacy and women in the church were particularly interesting.
Writer_Builder_Nomad wrote this review Friday, January 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
At a few other times it seemed like she had problems with Christians in general and evangelicals/charismatics in particular. Sometimes the irony is a bit thick when she talks about open-mindedness.
I would definitely recommend this book if you're interested in the monastic tradition, especially how it's interpreted in the modern age. I found myself jealous of them singing Psalms daily and other little rituals. It's heartening to read about realistic struggles and small kindnesses learned.
Now I should read a little history of the early church fathers and mothers. ”“The author, Kathleen Norris, is a poet who likes to hang out around Benedictine monasteries which actually seems like a cool and offbeat way to spend your time. Unfortunately, though, the book itself is tedious and boring with few exceptions. Ms. Norris's personality which comes through the book because she does narrate it tends toward the narcissistic. At one point she speculates during a sermon that she is leading in a nursing home that old people don't get told very often that they are beautiful. I saw her picture on the dust jacket of her book. I'm sure that she doesn't get told very often that she is beautiful, either. She is also often morbid. You will not learn an awful lot about Benedictine monasteries by reading this book. If you want to learn about American monasteries in general and don't have a particular need for a specific brand of monastery, Thomas Merton, although he was obviously misogynistic, wrote exceptionally interesting books about his experience with a Trappist monastery. ”
J. Maxwell wrote this review Friday, September 12 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I read The Cloister Walk for the first time early in 2000, having had several good friends recommend it to me. It was a perfect prelude to my annual prayer retreat in May 2000 at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky.
Bob Hostetler wrote this review Saturday, July 5 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The Cloister Walk is a thoughtful and compelling description of Norris's journey of faith as a Benedictine Oblate. Her reflections on life inside and outside the cloister prompts contemplation and brings rewarding insights.
Norris's book shows the tremendous appeal and rewards of the contemplative life, whether it's lived in a monastery or incorporated into life "on the outside."”“Beautifully written and thought-provoking. A different and intimate look at faith from a poet's perspective. ”
Martha L wrote this review Thursday, July 3 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“i wanted to love this. but i could only get through the first 4 chapters. dude, it was boring.”
lindsayperkins wrote this review Wednesday, March 5 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
