Unveiled: The Hidden Lives of Nuns

As a product of Catholic schools, I thought I knew nuns. Nuns are teachers and sometimes, they work in hospitals, don't they? Well, as I learned in this absolutely fascinating book, I was wrong.

There are conservative nuns, progressive nuns, even radical nuns. In fact, some call nuns the first feminists. Many nuns wear habits and many do not. Some are active and pursue occupations while others are contemplative.

Interestingly, one order of nuns, the Daughters of St Paul (aka the Paulines), specializes in running bookstores and a publishing house, as part of its communications mission. I wish the author had talked to them as part of the 300+ nuns she spoke to.

Despite the title, this isn't some sort of expose but rather, a book that shows show more that nuns are real people with their own thoughts, feelings, inability to juggle work and life etc. In high school, especially, I learned this to some extent but this book really reinforced that for me.

I thought the author inserted her own views on religion a tad too much but, for me, this wasn't enough to diminish the book.

This interesting and informative book will likely be on my list of favorites for 2010. show less

The cloistered lives of nuns have interested me since I was small—I think it was because I thought they got to sit around and read all day (and I liked the habits). I’ve known for a while now that there’s a bit more involved than reading, but this book was quite an education not only in the different types of orders but also the different types of nuns. Reed’s book covers everything from the strictest closed orders where the sisters beat their bare bottoms as penance for souls in purgatory to the non-denominational pregnancy clinic that leaves little time for prayer; from gun-toting, pro-life nuns to four biological sister sisters who protest war, racism and homophobia.

In first grade I was set on being a nun one day. I think it's a Catholic kid thing. This book reminded me how amazing it is that in our greedy, self-centered world people still dedicate themselves to living their faith.

Very interesting. She reported on several different orders. I was surprised to see the variety of thought within each calling.

Really interesting look at the lives of nuns. Interviews with nuns from all different orders. Fascinating.

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