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The Corner That Held Them
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
47 posts | 18 read | 40 to read
In memory of the wife who had once dishonoured and always despised him, Brian de Retteville founded Oby - a twelfth-century convent in a hidden corner of Norfolk. Two centuries later the Benedictine community is well established there and, as befits a convent whose origin had such chequered motives, the inhabitants are prey to the ambitions, squabbles, jealousies and pleasures of less spiritual environments. An outbreak of the Black Death, the collapse of the convent spire, the Bishop's visitation and a nun's disappearance are interwoven with the everyday life of the nuns, novices, successive Prioresses and the nun's priest, in this affectionate and ironic observation of the more wordly history of a religious order.
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review
DivineDiana
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Mehso-so

A book about the day to day lives of medieval nuns living in a small convent in Oby,England opening with the arrival of the Black Plague.The prioress has much to consider as death surrounds them.Credentials aren‘t checked and thus the new priest is not actually a priest! I had trouble keeping track of the Dames who were either flying,hearing or seeing dead Saints, escaping, embroidering and even committing murder!
Well written,but tedious.#nunlit

jlhammar 😆 Great review! Thanks for reading with us. Hope you find our April #NunLitQuarterly selection more enjoyable. 7mo
45 likes2 comments
quote
DivineDiana
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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‘There are so many stories of flying,‘ said Dame Beatrix,‘that no doubt some of them are true. But I think one would need to be extremely young or extremely saintly.‘ #nunlit

A bit behind, but persevering.

jlhammar Ha, love it! No rush at all. Hope you are finding it a worthwhile read. 7mo
DivineDiana @jlhammar Thank you! I‘m struggling a bit, but I feel like it is starting to come together for me. 🙏🏻 7mo
LeahBergen 🤣 This is great! 7mo
See All 6 Comments
Tamra For me, the humor was the best part. 😄 7mo
batsy Great image 😂 And yes, I too loved the dry humour in this book! 7mo
UwannaPublishme 😂😂😂 7mo
56 likes6 comments
review
Aimeesue
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Pickpick

The Corner That Held Them is quite enjoyable, but it's hard to pin down exactly why that is. There's no plot, it's about a convent in the late Middle Ages (it ends in 1382,) there's no real protagonist, a lot of the people are awful . . . and yet, I enjoyed this book very much.

Warner's writing is wonderful, of course, but ⬇️

#nunlitquarterly

Aimeesue ⬆️ but there's also something about the way such lives, circumscribed as they are by their times, poverty, gender, and threats like the Black Death are larger than one would imagine. The internal dialogs, the interpersonal politicking, the formation and crash of alliances and cliques within Oby are fascinating to witness. ⬇️ 8mo
Aimeesue ⬆️There's a good dose of humour as well - Warner had quite a dry wit. And although I am not in any way religious myself, the workings of Catholicism on individuals and the institution itself was compelling. 8mo
Tamra Terrific review - it IS hard to pin down! 8mo
See All 11 Comments
jlhammar Yes to all of that - so well said! 8mo
Aimeesue @Tamra And that ending! 😯 8mo
AlaMich I agree! It‘s a book where nothing really happens, but it‘s wonderful! 8mo
marleed Totally agree! 8mo
LeahBergen So well said! I couldn‘t quite figure out what kept me turning the pages. 😆 8mo
batsy Exactly! Something just compels one to keep reading. I also found it weirdly comforting. Life was *so* different then in terms of day-to-day realities, but the petty or tedious things that can distract people remain somewhat the same... 8mo
Aimeesue @jlhammar @AlaMich @marleed @LeahBergen @batsy I wish I could figue it out. Guess I'll have to read everything she ever wrote and try to unearth her secret to compelling stories that go absolutely nowhere! 😂 8mo
DivineDiana Excellent review! 7mo
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quote
DivineDiana
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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“… in proof of how women, despite all their weaknesses,perhaps,indeed,because of them,are best fitted to live under the Rule. The Rule is a kind of dance to them,he exclaimed,a lifelong dance. The Bell chimes, the music strikes up;and with the whole force of their sense of drama,their willfulness, their terrific vanity,they give themselves over to a formal pattern of obedience.” Prior Thomas to his secretary while riding through the forest. Rude!

jlhammar So rude! Great passage though. There were many instances like this that really got my blood boiling. 8mo
DivineDiana @jlhammar I am developing respect for these women and feel protective of them. 8mo
44 likes3 comments
blurb
DivineDiana
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Finally started #nunlitquarterly! It is moving slowly.

Suet624 I keep dipping in and out of it which is not something I usually do. It seems to be the only way I can get through it. (edited) 8mo
jlhammar Yay! Look forward to your thoughts. 8mo
DivineDiana @Suet624 I‘m reading it slowly. 8mo
DivineDiana @jlhammar Thank you! 8mo
52 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
AmyG
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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@Deblovestoread Oh, thank you! It‘s funny as this Jewish woman is fascinated with books about nuns and convents. 🤣 I so look forward to reading this. Thank you for thinking of me. 😘

TheBookHippie Same I love nuns 🤣 8mo
Deblovestoread I had to dig deep to find someone to send it to. I think it was at least 3 years ago you stacked it lol. 8mo
bookishbitch I wanted to be a nun when I was a kid. My family wasn't Catholic so it didn't pan out. 😂 Which is fine actually. 8mo
AmyG @Deblovestoread Ha…I have so many books stacked. I want to read everything. @TheBookHippie Ha…what does that say about us? I shall pass it on when I am done. (edited) 8mo
79 likes3 stack adds4 comments
review
marleed
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Pickpick

The print and long paragraphs made it difficult for me to read this in anything but natural light, but slow and steady I finished. I realize my fiction is at great advantage given a protagonist and it took a while for me to connect with this parade of 14th century dames. But the writing is so good and somewhere along the way it all fell into a wonderful place and I rather enjoyed this parade of acerbic dames ↓. @jlhammar #nunlitquarterly

marleed I‘m compelled to include a pic of the spire from my alma mater. Btw, also on the campus is a motherhouse (vastly shrinking in members as the decades roll on) for the dames ‘er nuns that once had a significant impact on my motherless upbringing. 8mo
jlhammar Parade of dames - love it! Wonderful review and great photo. I also had to be intentional with my reading time for this one. Couldn‘t pick it up when I was feeling distracted/unfocused. Worked best when I knew I had a quiet hour or more to really sink in. I wouldn‘t call it an easy read, but so unique and rich and rewarding if in the right headspace. Thanks so much for reading with us! 8mo
Tamra Parade - perfect! 8mo
marleed @jlhammar @Tamra I‘m really glad I read this and I‘m sure I never would have gone in if not for this group, so thank you! Actually, for the first 100 pages or so I could feel the trepidation of my 16 yr old self when placed in an English class tasked to read the tagged! It was over my head and interest. Now I‘m curious some 40+ years later to give it another go! (edited) 8mo
DivineDiana I am still in trepidation mode, as I am only on page 36. However, I did read the Thomas Merton book not too long ago, and did enjoy it! 8mo
67 likes5 comments
review
KathyWheeler
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Pickpick

Considering there‘s not much plot to this book, you would think there wouldn‘t be a lot to keep your interest, but the opposite is true with this book. The characters are engaging and the writing is beautiful, so that I was never bored. I loved this book and will miss the nuns of Oby. You can‘t really tell in the top picture, but in keeping with the nun theme, that‘s a grotto dedicated to Mary at Spring Hill College. #NunLitQuarterly #audiowalk

jlhammar Love that grotto pic 💙 Wonderful review! I felt the same. Life really is in the details. I think that's one of the reasons this struck such a chord with me. Give me the quotidian over a grand plot any day! 8mo
KathyWheeler @jlhammar Yes! I loved that this was really just about the everyday. 8mo
batsy Yes, love the grotto pic too. Lovely review ... I enjoyed all of the details. 8mo
KathyWheeler @batsy Thanks! 8mo
32 likes4 comments
review
jlhammar
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Pickpick

And so we come to the end. Sharp, wry, insightful, mesmerizing, feminist—this is one brilliant book. Much like the ars nova style of music that so captivates our custos, voices come together in varying rhythms, swelling and fading, in consonance and in dissonance, to create the beautiful whole.

I‘m quite sad to leave Oby behind. It‘s been wonderful reading this alongside all you smart #NunLitQuarterly sisters. I‘m loving your posts and comments.

Tamra Thank you for generating the idea and hosting! 👏🏾 Great review and wry describes it best for me. 8mo
jlhammar Look forward to reading The Land of Spices with you all in April! Oh, and just a reminder, I'll be reading this one next month for any who care to join me for some extra #NunLit fun 8mo
monalyisha Would that I could have joined you! I did manage to check the book out…so, a quarter of the way there? Almost? 🙈😅 Hope you all had a contemplative experience! 8mo
See All 22 Comments
rubyslippersreads I‘m sorry I‘m so behind, but I still want to read this and will catch up on all your comments. 8mo
quietjenn What a wonderful, astute review! Thanks for being our Mother Superior, so to speak. I make no promises, but will look into next month's bonus title. 8mo
batsy Beautiful review! Many thanks for getting #nunlitquarterly off and running 💜 I'm going to try to do the extra credit reading next month 😁 The book sounds fascinating. 8mo
Suet624 Thank you for organizing this group! I look forward to finishing this one and moving on to the next with you all. 8mo
KathyWheeler Great review! 8mo
Centique Great review! I love the point about the ars nova music. That‘s food for thought! I also went down a rabbit hole reading about how anchorites were walled up and how servants assisted them through a serving window. The idea of an anchorite will never leave me after this book! 8mo
jlhammar @Tamra @quietjenn @batsy @KathyWheeler Thanks all 💗 We've got a great group here! 8mo
jlhammar @monalyisha 😆 Hope you are able to join us for our future reads! 8mo
jlhammar @rubyslippersreads No worries! You have plenty of January left. I'm hoping to see several more Corner posts from our reading sisters we haven't heard from yet over the next couple of weeks. Look forward to your thoughts whenever you are able to get to it! 8mo
jlhammar @Centique Thanks, Paula! I agree, the concept and practice of anchorites is so fascinating. I'll be reading this one in May as a #NunLit extra if you'd care to join me 8mo
KathyWheeler @Centique I thought the anchorite thing was fascinating too. I had heard of them but didn‘t know that they were really walled up until I looked it up this time. I can‘t imagine voluntarily doing that! 8mo
jlhammar @Suet624 My pleasure. Can't wait for your thoughts! 8mo
Centique @jlhammar I would be keen to join in for that one too 👍 8mo
Centique @KathyWheeler it sounds so claustrophobic doesn‘t it? 😳 8mo
KathyWheeler @Centique Yes! I get antsy if I stay in my house for too many days in a row (usually 2); I could never handle that. 8mo
LeahBergen Great review! Thanks so much for hosting. 8mo
jlhammar @LeahBergen Thanks, Leah! This turned out to be a great first read. I‘m looking forward to our next adventure in #NunLit! 8mo
Bookwomble Events conspired against me and I found I couldn't get to this book in January. Thanks for tagging me in your posts, which I haven't read yet as I WILL read this book this year, and then I'll binge-read everyone's comments! 😆 8mo
jlhammar @Bookwomble No problem! It‘s so good. Look forward to your thoughts whenever you get to it. 8mo
87 likes22 comments
review
Centique
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Pickpick

Thank you to @jlhammar & #nunlit for encouraging me to read this modern classic languishing on my TBR. It tells the story of Oby, a convent in the 13th and 14th century, through a few generations of its nuns and prioresses. This is a history told through the small details of lives and we switch from character to character building a sense of the community of nuns and the people that visit them. Just a delight for me as a history lover 😍

batsy Excellent review! So much to chew over in this & a delight to read. 8mo
Tamra I‘m happy you enjoyed it too! 😊 The detail is so rich. 8mo
jlhammar Such a pretty collage and thoughtful review. So glad you‘re part of #NunLitQuarterly. Great point about how she builds a sense of the community. I‘ve got a day of reading ahead of me and can‘t wait to finish this wonderful book! 8mo
See All 6 Comments
Megabooks This is a great cover! I hope you‘re doing well, Paula. 💕💕 I‘ve been on and off litsy a bit. 8mo
Centique @Megabooks I‘m good thanks Meg. I hope you are doing ok? 💕 My dad was in a bad state over Christmas/NYE and I didn‘t think he would make it. But he‘s surprised us all by bouncing back from COVID plus another small amputation. The relief has been huge. Sending hugs and best wishes to you and your family 💕 8mo
LeahBergen Great review, Paula! I thoroughly enjoyed this one, too. 8mo
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blurb
KathyWheeler
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Dang, Dame Alice! I wasn‘t expecting that from a nun. 😳. I‘m 72% through, so I should finish relatively soon. If it were not for #NunLit, this book wouldn‘t have been on my radar. So lovely outside today. #audiowalk

jlhammar I‘m so glad I have tomorrow off. Oby, here I come! Should be able to finish-up. 8mo
39 likes2 comments
quote
jlhammar
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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“Greeting his dear sisters, Bishop Walter informed them that he had earnestly considered the plight of their house…full of pride, sloth, greed, falsehoods, worldliness, pet animals and private property. His grieving eyes had beheld spiced meats, soft cushions, perfumed and flowing mantles, better befitting harlots than the brides of Christ, whose joy it should be to feed on roots and wear narrow garments.”

#NunLitQuarterly

jlhammar This letter from the bishop had me fuming! I agree with Dame Margaret - the crocodile indeed! 8mo
KathyWheeler @jlhammar I agree with her too! 8mo
Suet624 I‘m reading a book right now about Ireland and those priests have me fuming too! I‘m planning on returning to this book soon. 8mo
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batsy Yes! All of their takes on women were exhausting and maddening. 8mo
Aimeesue Pet animals! Soft cushions! O, for shame! Those in power are so ridiculous sometimes. 😂 (edited) 8mo
Tamra Deserves a good 🙄 8mo
LeahBergen Spiced meats?? What other sort of debaucheries have they been up to?? 😆 8mo
54 likes7 comments
blurb
KathyWheeler
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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More #NunLit on my walk at Dauphin Island. It was such a gorgeous day that we had to get out. I‘d originally planned a lazy, read in bed, day. #audiowalk

jlhammar Pretty pics - looks like a lovely walk! 8mo
KathyWheeler @jlhammar it was. I walked along the beach and into the bird sanctuary as well. I didn‘t see any birds there though — just the pelicans, herons, and sea gulls that were by the beach instead of in the sanctuary. 8mo
35 likes2 comments
review
quietjenn
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Pickpick

Completely engrossing and compelling book, centered on a 14th century convent, the women who inhabit it, and the greater community (ecclesiastical and otherwise) that support it. With a meandering-to-nonexistent plot, shifting perspectives, and a large cast of characters who wander in and out of the story, on paper it probably shouldn't work at all, but in reality it's a complete triumph. Loved it and what a book to kick off #nunlitquarterly

Tamra I found it actually a bit difficult to describe! This goes to your apropos comment about how on paper this shouldn‘t work, but it does. 8mo
KathyWheeler You are right — it shouldn‘t work, but it absolutely does. 8mo
LeahBergen Great review. And it really is a hard book to describe or talk about concisely! 8mo
See All 6 Comments
batsy Yes! Fabulous book to kick off our nun lit readalong 💙 8mo
jlhammar Terrific review! What a perfect way to describe it. I‘m almost finished and loving it. 8mo
Kristin_Reads This #nunlit Buddy read is so much fun!! 8mo
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review
Tamra
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Pickpick

Warner uses the setting of a medieval convent as a microcosm of society, turning an unflinching eye on human motivations and relations. She offers so many flashes of insight, often in dark comedic form. It makes for a surprisingly funny work.

“But then there are two truths, perhaps three truths, perhaps a dozen.” This line sums up how the characters connected to Oby live their lives, pursuing their own truths. Don‘t we all? #nunlitquarterly

Cathythoughts We do ❤️ 8mo
Tamra @jlhammar looking forward to our next installment! 😁 8mo
See All 13 Comments
LeahBergen Great review! This was such a good read. 8mo
LeeRHarry Great review !😊 8mo
quietjenn Indeed! And all the different covers of this one are so neat. 8mo
batsy Nice review! That quote just about sums it up 💙 8mo
Tamra @LeahBergen it is one that could be read several times, it‘s so rich in observations about life & people. (edited) 8mo
Tamra @LeeRHarry thank you! 😁 8mo
Tamra @quietjenn yes! I love seeing the variety of covers of various editions of any book. 8mo
Tamra @batsy thank you! 🤗 This isn‘t breezy reading, but rewarding. 8mo
jlhammar Wonderful review! And thanks for sharing such great quotes and insights while you read. What a kick-off this was! Looking forward to our April pick and to reading Revelations by Mary Sharratt next month (if you‘re still interested in joining me for that one). 8mo
Tamra @jlhammar I will join you again in April for the next NunLitQuarterly selection! 😁 (edited) 8mo
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review
batsy
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Pickpick

A plotless narrative about a 14th-century convent in Norfolk that is a genuine masterpiece. There are no protagonists; we live with an assortment of characters over the years, through plagues, rivalries, & murder. I found almost every sentence a revelation of the author's incredible artistry. It's a social realist novel of a convent, where the enchantment of holy life is dissolved to reveal flawed people & their material concerns. #NunLitQuarterly

batsy I think what I found most interesting is the emphasis on how the convent is run; the economics of the place; the work that it entails; the kind of networks that are sustained within & without to keep it working; & the personalities that are erased in service of spirituality. But people are people, & whatever is repressed will eventually come out! As such, it's frequently so comedic & I laughed out loud more than once. I loved it 💙 @jlhammar 8mo
andrew61 Sounds really good. 8mo
LeeRHarry Lovely review 😊 8mo
See All 23 Comments
charl08 Great review- and what a beautiful cover 😍 8mo
Tamra They are so very flawed! 👏🏾👏🏾 No glossing over on Warner‘s part. (edited) 8mo
batsy @andrew61 She's a really interesting writer! 8mo
batsy @LeeRHarry Thank you! 🙂 8mo
batsy @charl08 Thank you! The Penguin STW reissues are really nice. I'm hoping to acquire the others... 😁 8mo
batsy @Tamra My favourite aspect of the book! No romanticising. 8mo
jlhammar Oh my gosh, yes to everything you wrote! Amazing review. I wish I didn‘t have such a busy weekend ahead of me. Can‘t wait to finish (but also kind of sad at the thought of leaving Oby behind). 8mo
quietjenn Yes! I've only been able to read a little of it this far, but can't wait to get back to it this weekend. I also love that edition. 8mo
AnnR A lovely review and photo @Batsy. 8mo
AlaMich I loved this book, and your review is wonderful! 8mo
batsy @jlhammar Thank you! I was sad to leave Oby behind as well. I feel like I'm missing something from my daily routine. 8mo
batsy @quietjenn I hope you continue to enjoy it! It's such a treat and feels like one of those books that works both if read slowly bit by bit or in one big gulp. 8mo
batsy @Ann_Reads Thank you! 🙂 8mo
MicheleinPhilly I‘m still waiting on this from the library. 😕 I may have to bite the bullet and just purchase it. 8mo
LeahBergen What a great review! And I already miss Oby, too. 8mo
batsy @MicheleinPhilly I hope you like it! 8mo
batsy @LeahBergen Thank you! What a wholly absorbing world it was 💙 8mo
Centique I‘ve almost finished it and then I‘ve come away on holiday for a week and left it at home. Doh! 8mo
batsy @Centique Ah, hate when that happens 😂 However you have lovely new books to look at 😍 8mo
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review
LeahBergen
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Pickpick

What to say about this novel? It‘s a dense and beautifully written story of a 14th-century fenland nunnery, with no niceties (or “grossities”) ignored. We follow numerous sisters (and several bishops) from the onset of the Black Death to the Peasants‘ Revolt. Nothing much happens but EVERYTHING happens. It‘s life and death in a nutshell and utterly absorbing. I loved it.

#NunLitQuarterly
@Lcsmcat

merelybookish Great review! Ive been curious about this one for a while! 8mo
Tamra Fabulous review! 8mo
Deblovestoread Great review! I‘m loving it, too. 8mo
See All 14 Comments
BarbaraBB Fab review 🤍 8mo
Cathythoughts Wonderful review Leah 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 8mo
batsy Great review! I felt the same—just utterly loved it! 8mo
erzascarletbookgasm Great review🌟 8mo
TheKidUpstairs Oooh "Nothing much happens but everything happens" is one of my favourite sub-genres. Stacked. 8mo
andrew61 Sounds excellent. 8mo
jlhammar Grossities 😆 Love it. Fantastic review. You sum it up perfectly. This book is SO GOOD and I‘m very thankful to have been reading it along with you and the rest. I still have a couple chapters to go. 8mo
Chrys I hadn‘t heard of this that I remember, but after your review I need to read it. 8mo
Tamra Oh perfect, the “grossities” indeed! 😉 Very apt description of nothing & everything is contained in this novel. (edited) 8mo
quietjenn “nothing happens BUT everything happens“ is such a great way to phrase it! Couldn't agree with your comments more. 8mo
Suet624 I got stuck about 1/4 of the way through this with library holds all arriving at the same time. I need to get back to it. I‘m glad you liked it. 8mo
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blurb
Penny_LiteraryHoarders
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Now I can get started on my #NunLit reading. 😊

LeahBergen I just finished this month‘s pick and loved it. 👍 8mo
jlhammar Wonderful! You are in for a treat with Corner. I‘m loving it. 8mo
29 likes3 comments
blurb
KathyWheeler
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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There‘s no real plot to this book — just incidents in the lives of the nuns — yet I‘m really loving it so far. The writing is excellent and the characters are great. Three day weekend. Yay! #audiowalk

jlhammar So glad you're reading with us! Have a wonderful weekend. #NunLitQuarterly 8mo
KathyWheeler @jlhammar Me too! I never would have even known about this book otherwise. You have a good weekend too. 8mo
batsy That's pretty much how I feel about the book! 8mo
26 likes3 comments
blurb
KathyWheeler
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Some azaleas are being fooled into blooming because it‘s relatively warm right now. I‘m really enjoying the humor in this book. It‘s not laugh-out-loud funny; it‘s more gentle. #NunLit #audiowalk

jlhammar I love that the Dames of Oby are accompanying you on your walks! So glad you‘re enjoying it so far. So am I. 8mo
KathyWheeler @jlhammar they are so much fun. 😊 8mo
30 likes2 comments
quote
Tamra
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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My favorite section so far! No spoilers. It involves one of the character‘s discovery of ars nova music, specifically Machaut‘s Kyrie. And the commentary is cutting! #nunlitquarterly

I have a soft spot for early music, medieval thru baroque eras. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OsWZfPCK6aY

Aimeesue Ah, yes, The nimble weasel! 😀 8mo
Tamra @Aimeesue 😂 8mo
jlhammar Thanks so much for the link. Just beautiful. I'm an early music kind of gal, too. And what a description! To say that she has a way with words is a massive understatement. I haven't made it this far yet, but looking forward to it. 8mo
batsy Thank you for the link. It was lovely to listen to it and let it wash over me as I read the words—this chapter is one of my favourites. And I love the recurring motif of the weasel! 8mo
LeahBergen I just got to this part in the book so I popped back here to listen to your link. Marvellous! 8mo
42 likes5 comments
quote
jlhammar
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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“Dame Johanna was elected prioress with a majority of one vote.
Dame Cecily glanced from face to face…What had happened was one of those accidents that overtake the righteous in the midst of their prosperity. Feeling sure of Dame Matilda‘s election, grateful to be relieved of the old prioress…nun after nun yielded to the thought: Why not vote for that poor Dame Johanna? - one vote can‘t upset the result, and it would please the poor wretch.”

jlhammar This prioress election scene was just too good 😂 #NunLitQuarterly 9mo
batsy Genuine LOL during this scene. 9mo
Tamra 😆 so many! 9mo
See All 10 Comments
marleed The politicking of these dames just never ends! 9mo
Tamra @marleed exactly! 9mo
Suet624 Just goes to show you have to take voting seriously. 😀 9mo
LeahBergen I just read this part last night. 😆 9mo
Aimeesue Whoops! 8mo
Centique I‘m thoroughly enjoying this! 8mo
rubyslippersreads Forgive me, Sisters; I‘m behind on starting this. You‘re all inspiring me, though, with your great reviews. 😊 8mo
45 likes10 comments
quote
Tamra
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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The characters are often comically awful to one another! 😅 (Henry is a custoses.)
#nunlitquarterly

jlhammar They really are! And how very quotable is this book? I feel like there are bits that just hit me (that I want to share) on almost every page. Sometimes because they are so sharp and darkly comic, sometimes because they are so honest and poignant. 9mo
Aimeesue Lol. I can just see it. 😄 9mo
jlhammar Another example of that comic awfulness that I thought was pretty great (on page 74 in my edition) “Thomas de Foley glanced from one wrinkled face to another, thinking how much uglier they must look at two o'clock on a winter's morning. Every force of art was strained to beautify God's house and worship, but nothing was done to improve the appearance of his votaries.“ 9mo
See All 8 Comments
batsy @jlhammar @Tamra I love her writing and you described it beautifully. That bit about de Foley struck me, too. I also loved when early on in Chapter 1 when Dame Cecilia begun to have fits and to prophesy, but then, "The community ... settled down to enjoy an unregulated prosperity and comfort; and prosperity and comfort wielding their usual effect, the spirit of prophecy flickered out"—just so astute and witty. 9mo
jlhammar @batsy Yes, astute! Perfect word to describe it. Another passage that had me feeling that way was below (from page 84 in my edition). 9mo
jlhammar @batsy “The nuns, exhausted by kneeling round Dame Isabel and repeating the prayers for the dying on behalf of a woman who seemingly could not die, found it hard to conceal their weariness and their disillusioning (for it is disillusioning to discover that compassion, stretched out too long, materialises into nothing more than a feat of endurance).” 9mo
batsy @jlhammar I loved that, too! I have it underlined 😆 It's amazing to me that almost every sentence is a high-wire act of depth, insight, humour, and irony. 9mo
Tamra @batsy @jlhammar @Aimeesue I‘ve taken so many pics of quotes I couldn‘t possibly post them all. Chock full of insightful observations about human behavior & motivations! 9mo
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jlhammar
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Sylvia Townsend Warner was such a fascinating woman. Very ahead of her time. A music scholar and a writer like no other. I‘ve included a few links in the comments for those of you who may want to get to know STW a bit more.

#NunLitQuarterly

jlhammar Sylvia Townsend Warner Society:
https://townsendwarner.com/
9mo
jlhammar BBC Open Book (STW part starts at 9:45):
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000q9cg
9mo
jlhammar The 2021 Sylvia Townsend Warner Lecture (gets going at the 8:05 mark):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mSEvQ-Wjws
9mo
See All 7 Comments
LeahBergen Thanks! 👍 9mo
batsy Thanks for the links! She's intrigued me since I read and loved Lolly Willowes (and now more so, since the nun book is wholly different from LW in style and tone). 9mo
Deblovestoread Thank you! 9mo
jlhammar @batsy I read LW several years ago and while I really enjoyed it, I don't think I sufficiently appreciated it. I definitely want to do a reread sometime and also try some of her other work. Summer Will Show and English Climate: Wartime Stories are tops on my STW to-read list. 9mo
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jlhammar
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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“It alarmed him to be feeling such loathing for such an insignificant person, to catch himself avoiding the sight of her, leaping aside from the thought that a hair in the soup might be one of hers, or sitting in his room like a prisoner because he fancied he could hear her breathing outside the door…when Dame Susanna had spoken of how devotedly Ursula had nursed him during his sickness, he had been compelled to lean from the window and vomit.”

jlhammar One of the most effective descriptions of revulsion towards another person I've ever read. Terrible, but also made me laugh. #NunLitQuarterly 9mo
LeahBergen Oh, I LAUGHED at this part! 😆 9mo
Aimeesue 🤮 😂😂😂 9mo
marleed Poor Ursula - to the kitchen with you! 9mo
batsy Yes! I snorted!! 😂 The humour in the writing is perfect. 9mo
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batsy
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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"Since the pestilence it is impossible to find a spare priest at a reasonable price. People think of nothing but money." #EternalPlagueProblems from the Middle Ages to current times...

Only 2 chapters in but I'm loving the utter sumptuousness of the writing. And the humour! Every page a feast of delights. #nunlit #nunlitquarterly

TrishB So true 😁 9mo
Jess_Read_This I just read the plot synopsis and this sounds absolutely fantastic. 9mo
Kristin_Reads I‘m starting this one on Monday! 9mo
See All 10 Comments
batsy @TrishB The more things change... 😅 9mo
batsy @Jess_Read_This It's very dense, but very good so far! 9mo
batsy @Kristin_Reads I hope you enjoy it! 9mo
jlhammar So good! And I agree about it being dense. There is so much here and I am loving it. I feel like it demands me to be my best reader self, giving it my full attention, but I really appreciate that. I can't wait to really sink into this more today. 9mo
LeahBergen I‘m enjoying it, too! 9mo
batsy @jlhammar I love that about the "best reader self"! I agree; I put it aside until I have time during the day to fully immerse myself in it. A book that rewards attention and slow reading, I think ? 9mo
batsy @LeahBergen Yay! I wish I had her way with words 😍 9mo
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jlhammar
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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“It travelled faster than a horse, it swooped like a falcon, and those whom it seized on were so suddenly corrupted that the victims, still alive and howling in anguish, stank like the dead…All across Europe it had come, and now it would traverse England, and nothing could stop it, wherever there were men living it would seek them out, and turn back, as a wolf does, to snap at the man it had passed by.”

Yikes! Loving her writing.
#NunLitQuarterly

jlhammar Painting shown is The Triumph of Death by Pieter Bruegel 9mo
jlhammar Oh, and if any of you in the US are still needing a copy, see the recent post from @Deblovestoread - she's looking for a home for her extra. 9mo
Deblovestoread Thank you for posting 😊 9mo
See All 9 Comments
Aimeesue This painting has always fascinated me. If anyone wants to see the whole terrifying thing - and why wouldn't you? 😋- the Museo de Prado has one you can zoom way in on. https://www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/art-work/the-triumph-of-death/d3d... (edited) 9mo
jlhammar @Aimeesue Oooh, thank you! It really is terrifying. 9mo
LeahBergen Eek! Thanks for sharing. I‘m loving the writing so far. 👍 9mo
Aimeesue @jlhammar I love It when museums have these high- res images. I can get lost in there, looking at everything! 9mo
batsy I love Bruegel! 💜 Your quote has got me excited... I'm looking forward to getting started today. 9mo
Libby1 @Aimeesue - what on earth was he thinking when he painted that? I hope to start the book this weekend! Thanks for the tag, @jlhammar . 8mo
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Deblovestoread
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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The problem with adding new bookcases and rearranging your books is you find things you didn‘t know you had. Sometimes it is a nice surprise and sometimes it an oops!

The oops is the tagged book. I already had a copy but bought one last month for #NunLitQuarterly. If there is anyone in the US who would like my other copy please email me at kdgordon88 @ gmail.com. FCFS

@CrowCAH Found this copy of P & P. It‘s yours if you want it😊

Deblovestoread @jlhammar Jamie, would you tag the #NunLit peeps in case someone in the group would like it? 😊 9mo
CrowCAH Thanks for remembering me and the P&P collection! 🥰 I actually already own a copy of that cover, so some other P&P enthusiast can claim it! Any takers @sprainedbrain @mabell @LeahBergen ? 9mo
jlhammar I‘ll try to mention it in my next #NunLitQuarterly group post (hopefully tomorrow). Thanks! 9mo
LeahBergen @CrowCAH Thanks but I think I‘m set for P&P editions for now! 😘 9mo
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Caroline2
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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If any of the ladies doing #nunlit are looking for some soothing music to listen to while reading, this is a lovely little piece written by a medieval nun! 🧘 🎶

jlhammar Wonderful! Perfect to set the medieval mood. I love Hildegard and I loved Year of Wonder. We did it back in 2020, I think, and it was a lovely addition to each day that I looked forward to. Felt a bit bereft when we finished. I wish there were a a follow-up/Year of Wonder II (and beyond). 9mo
batsy Nice! Thank you for the rec. 9mo
jlhammar @Caroline2 Oh my gosh, so exciting! I had no idea. Thank you! 9mo
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Tamra
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Another poignant description of the individual in the collective. #nunlitquarterly

jlhammar Wow, I love that passage. 9mo
Cathythoughts ❤️💔 9mo
batsy Beautiful but bittersweet ❤️ 9mo
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Tamra
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Smart and amusing description of any collective. #nunlitquarterly

jlhammar Brilliant! You're making me even more excited to get started with these wonderful quotes. 9mo
Aimeesue Perfect ❤️ 9mo
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jlhammar
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Doing some browsing before starting our January #NunLitQuarterly selection. The English Heritage site has some great photos of abbey ruins and other bits of monastic history you all might enjoy. Link in comments below. I think this photo is from the Creake Abbey ruins in Norfolk.

Suet624 This is great! Thanks so much. Started reading the book last night... 9mo
LeahBergen Very cool! I‘m looking forward to getting started. 9mo
See All 9 Comments
Kristin_Reads So cool… thank you! Can‘t wait to get started. 9mo
quietjenn Neat! Thanks for sharing. 9mo
batsy Oh, lovely! If only our little #nunlit club could visit these sites together 😁 9mo
Aimeesue Great pics! Makes it easier to visualize things. I've read all the Brother Cadfael, and every single time I wished they'd included a map! The physical space is such a big part of things! 9mo
Tamra @batsy oh, what a fun daydream! 9mo
DivineDiana @Tamra @batsy It would be wonderful! 🙏🏻 9mo
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Tamra
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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January is always a busy month so I am getting an early start on the first installment of #nunlitquarterly.

My dear Perpetual Reading Sisters of Litsy, this isn‘t an easy read but it is full of dry wit & humor, which at first I didn‘t recognize! 😆

jlhammar Hooray! Can‘t wait to get started. 9mo
Aimeesue I'm really looking forward to this one. Warner's great! 9mo
Tamra @Aimeesue she is new to me! 9mo
See All 10 Comments
marleed I started reading early too. Holy Mary Mother of God, this is a hard read! My goal is now 25 pages a day. 9mo
batsy @Aimeesue @Tamra I love Lolly Willowes so much! Really looking forward to this. 9mo
Cathythoughts Nice words from Sarah Waters I see 👍🏻♥️ 9mo
Kristin_Reads I‘m having trouble getting started! 😅 9mo
Tamra @Kristin_Reads In my humble opinion, I recommend not trying to keep track of the minutia. Go with the flow and look for the dark humor. It is striking me as rather sardonic or satirical. There isn‘t a clear plot line to follow, rather it appears the novel is about human relations. (edited) 9mo
Kristin_Reads @Tamra thank you for that advice! 9mo
Kristin_Reads @Tamra Thank you… this is helpful!! 9mo
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LitsyEvents
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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repost for @jlhammar:

#NunLitQuarterly 🔔 January 2023 reminder 🔔

Dear Perpetual Reading Sisters of Litsy,

The new year is almost upon us and with it our group read of The Corner That Held Them. Just read it sometime during the month of January, post your review &/or thoughts along the way and be sure to tag the group.

All are welcome to join us!

kspenmoll I am looking forward to this! @jlhammar (edited) 9mo
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jlhammar
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
post image

#NunLitQuarterly 🔔 January 2023 reminder 🔔

Dear Perpetual Reading Sisters of Litsy,

The new year is almost upon us and with it our group read of The Corner That Held Them. Just read it sometime during the month of January, post your review &/or thoughts along the way and be sure to tag the group.

All are welcome to join us!

jlhammar @LitsyEvents Please repost. Thank you! 9mo
monalyisha Ah! I love “Perpetual Reading Sisters of Litsy”! 9mo
jlhammar @Tamra The moniker you came up with is just too perfect - had to start putting it to use! 9mo
See All 20 Comments
jlhammar @monalyisha All credit goes to @Tamra for that one! So good. 9mo
JamieArc @jlhammar @Tamra I love the name as well!!! Perfection. 9mo
LeahBergen Can‘t wait! And good one, @Tamra 😆😆 9mo
Centique Looking forward to it! 9mo
Kristin_Reads Yay! 9mo
Tamra @jlhammar @LeahBergen @JamieArc it came in a moment of divine inspiration. 😇🤣 9mo
Tamra I‘m all set and looking forward to this group! 9mo
KathyWheeler My library had it! Yay! 9mo
marleed I ordered a physical copy so I could keep notes while reading. I‘m so excited excited to start it! 9mo
quietjenn @Tamra @jlhammar so perfect! Very well-done. 9mo
quietjenn So looking forward to it! 9mo
Bookwomble I'm not sure I'll join in with the full challenge, but as I nearly started reading this book three times in 2022, perhaps I can seek group encouragement for this one in January 2023? 9mo
batsy I'm so looking forward! And nice job @Tamra it's perfect 😆 9mo
jlhammar @Bookwomble Yes, please do! We‘d love to have you read along with us. 9mo
Bookwomble @jlhammar 😊👍 9mo
Caroline2 Looking forward to it. 👍 9mo
UwannaPublishme Yay! I‘ll say a big Amen to all that! 😁 9mo
59 likes20 comments
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LitsyEvents
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Repost for @jlhammar

#NunLitQuarterly 2023
JAN The Corner That Held Them
APR The Land of Spices
JUL And Then There Were Nuns
OCT A Shameful Murder

Your #NunLit mission is simply to read the chosen book during the assigned month, post your review &/or thoughts along the way and tag others in the group. Thanks to all who voted. Look forward to reading these with you in the year ahead!

If you‘d like to join us, let me know. All are welcome!

jlhammar Thanks for reposting! 11mo
kspenmoll This sounds like fun- I have one of the books. Can you add me? Thx! 10mo
LitsyEvents @jhammar making sure you see @kspenmoll comment. 10mo
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jlhammar
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
post image

#NunLitQuarterly 2023
JAN The Corner That Held Them
APR The Land of Spices
JUL And Then There Were Nuns
OCT A Shameful Murder

Your #NunLit mission is simply to read the chosen book during the assigned month, post your review &/or thoughts along the way and tag others in the group. Thanks to all who voted. Look forward to reading these with you in the year ahead!

If you‘d like to join us, let me know. All are welcome!

jlhammar @LitsyEvents Please repost. Thank you! 11mo
Kristin_Reads Really looking forward to this! Already ordered the first pick! 11mo
LeahBergen I‘m looking forward to these. 👏 11mo
See All 22 Comments
JamieArc 😍😍(how is there not a nun emoji???) 11mo
Tamra Ordering now! 😄 11mo
rubyslippersreads @JamieArc I was just wondering that. 11mo
marleed This is going to be fun! 11mo
batsy Thank you for this! So looking forward 🎉 11mo
batsy @JamieArc @rubyslippersreads Yes! We need one 😆 11mo
quietjenn Excited about this! 11mo
UwannaPublishme What fun! 🙌🏻 Thanks again for organizing this! 11mo
DivineDiana Yes! @JamieArc It is needed! 11mo
jlhammar @monalyisha Here are our selections with details for 2023. Excited to have you read along with us for any or all of these! See my previous #NunLit posts for context. 10mo
monalyisha Thanks for the tag & details, @jlhammar! I don‘t know if I‘ll end up having time to join you but I‘d love to pretend like I will, for sure! 😉 Please continue to tag me & add me to your crew; I‘ll do my darndest. Much appreciated! 10mo
jlhammar @KathyWheeler These are our picks for 2023. So happy to have you join us for any or all! 10mo
jlhammar @Suet624 Our picks/schedule for the year. So excited to have you join us! 9mo
Suet624 Thank you for adding me!!! 9mo
Suet624 I actually have The Corner That Held Them sitting on my shelf. Serendipity! 9mo
jlhammar @Suet624 Oh perfect! Meant to be 😊 9mo
jlhammar @AlaMich Our picks/schedule for the year. Glad to have you read along whenever you are able! 9mo
59 likes22 comments
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jlhammar
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
post image

Okay my wonderful #NunLitQuarterly crew, The Corner That Held Them is officially our January 2023 (Quarter 1) selection! Read it sometime during the month, post your review &/or any thoughts along the way and tag your fellow #NunLit Sisters.

Stay tuned for Q2-Q4 (Apr, Jul, Oct) book voting next month. Want to give you plenty of time to plan and procure the picks.

If you‘d like to be added (or removed) at any time, let me know. All are welcome!

Kristin_Reads This is so much fun… can‘t wait! 11mo
Caroline2 Yay! Looking forward to it. 👏 11mo
Tamra Looking forward to it! 11mo
See All 15 Comments
batsy I'm so looking forward to this! Thanks for getting it going. 11mo
Deblovestoread I‘d like to join although I may weave in and out depending on the book. I‘m definitely interested in January‘s pick. 11mo
UwannaPublishme What fun! Thx for coming up with this great idea! 🙌🏻 11mo
jlhammar @Deblovestoread Yay! Weaving in and out is totally cool. I‘ll add you to future #NunLitQuarterly posts. So happy to have you in the mix! 11mo
quietjenn Thanks for organizing things - very much looking forward to this! 11mo
rubyslippersreads What a great start to the New Year! 11mo
LeahBergen Awesome! Thank you. 😘 11mo
Aimeesue I'd like to join. I like Warner, and the pull of NYRB, nuns, and plague is very strong. Not sure what that says about me. 😋 11mo
jlhammar @Aimeesue 😂 Love it! I‘ll add you to the gang for future posts. So excited to have you join us! 11mo
Centique Yay! Thanks for organising this 😘 11mo
Bookwomble I've almost started reading this a couple of times this year - its time is coming! 11mo
EvieBee Can‘t wait!!! 11mo
50 likes15 comments
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jlhammar
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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I‘m planning to tackle a few nunnish reads in the year ahead and I‘m hoping some of you may want to join me. #NunLitQuarterly—a low-key group read every few months. Just read the chosen book during the chosen month, post your thoughts/review and comment on others if so inclined.

Thought one of these pillars of #NunLit would make a good inaugural read. Interested? Which would you prefer? Should we start Dec or Jan?

All are welcome!

jlhammar Oh, and to clarify if you haven't seen my previous #NunLit post, this is not a religious thing. I am actually agnostic (was raised Catholic), but I just love books with nuns in them (really anything about monastic life) and I know I'm not alone! 11mo
marleed Oh how interesting. I could join in for 2023 - my 2022 TBR is pretty much declared! 11mo
Tamra Funny, I have the tagged book TBR! 😃 I‘ll join in for it. (edited) 11mo
See All 26 Comments
batsy This sounds great. I'd love to join in for January. And to start with this 11mo
Kristin_Reads Count me in!! I love nun lit! 11mo
quietjenn Oh, I am 100% here for this! And I own both books, so am good to go whenever. 11mo
UwannaPublishme What fun! I‘m in! 🙋🏻‍♀️ January works better for me. 11mo
LeahBergen Awesome! Count me in. I‘ll vote for the tagged book in January (although I‘m obviously up for whatever you all choose 😊). 11mo
Caroline2 Yes! Count me in! January works for me and I fancy In this house of brede. (It‘s got better reviews). 11mo
Penny_LiteraryHoarders And I have this book too! Thanks for the invite! Looks like January is a good start? 11mo
MicheleinPhilly Nun lit! 😂 I may have to get in on this. 11mo
EvieBee Sounds great!! I am down for either one. They‘re both on my shelf. 11mo
rubyslippersreads I vote for the tagged book because I haven‘t read it. Can‘t wait to join all you Sisters! 😄 11mo
jlhammar @marleed @Tamra @batsy @Kristin_Reads @quietjenn @UwannaPublishme @LeahBergen @Caroline2 @Penny_LiteraryHoarders @MicheleinPhilly @EvieBee @rubyslippersreads Fantastic! I am so excited. It is looking like the plan will be The Corner That Held Them in January to kick things off, but I'll give some others a chance to comment/join-in first. I'll follow-up with a confirmation post soon. #NunLit in saecula saeculorum! 11mo
Tamra @jlhammar I ordered my copy and it should be here soon. Woot! 11mo
Tamra @rubyslippersreads 😂 How about “Perpetual Reading Sisters of Litsy” as our moniker? 😆 11mo
marleed @Tamra Hahaha :) 11mo
jlhammar @Tamra @rubyslippersreads I think you two are on to something there 😂 Love it! 11mo
rubyslippersreads @Tamra I love it! 11mo
rubyslippersreads @jlhammar @Tamra I do feel that reading is my vocation. 😊 11mo
Centique I am definitely in for All the Nun Books!! Count me in for January and I‘ll get the tagged book. 💕 11mo
jlhammar @Centique Wonderful! So happy to have you join us! 11mo
DivineDiana Please add me to the group. I am fascinated with nun life! 11mo
jlhammar @DivineDiana Fantastic! So happy to have you join us. I‘ll add you for future posts. In the meantime, we are still collecting votes for quarters 2-4. Check out those #NunLitQuarterly voting posts (the last 3) and comment with your preference (if you have one). 11mo
DivineDiana Thank you for adding me! I love the final selections! ❤️ 11mo
51 likes26 comments
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Jinjer
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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SEPTEMBER #bookspin #doublebookspin

Innnnnteresting! Two religion-themed books.

One is “funny, haunting strange” historical fiction about 14th century nuns. The other is “one of the finest historical novels by anyone anywhere “ about an idealistic Portuguese Jesuit priest. I recently watched the movie starring Andrew Garfield & Adam Driver.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Good luck!! 2y
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AlaMich
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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“He was looking at the spire. As the web of low-lying cloud scurried under the wind it seemed to breathe like a living thing. Sometimes it inhaled the light of day, and then its pallor enriched to the colour of a primrose; a moment later it waned, and pulled the misty air over it like a veil; and whether it brightened or waned it seemed to be flying towards him against the scudding sky so that he felt that ⬇️

AlaMich “in a moment it would bend down to his embrace.” I am absolutely loving this book. #dogsoflitsy #nelson #greyhounds (edited) 3y
batsy I so want to read this! 3y
AlaMich @batsy I recommend it highly! It‘s the most absorbing book I‘ve read in quite awhile, and STW writes so beautifully. 3y
See All 9 Comments
LeahBergen Nelson! 👉 *boop* 3y
AlaMich @LeahBergen He has a big ol‘ boopable snoot! 😂 3y
Centique @batsy I want to read this too! 3y
britt_brooke Oh my goodness. Just now seeing this ad I creep on your feed. 😂🙈 Nelson is a beauty! I may have mentioned this before but we used to have a retired racer. She was such a special dog. 🐾 2y
AlaMich @britt_brooke Thank you! We‘ve had him since Christmas and we love him to bits. He‘s a big, lovey, goofy boy! ♥️ 2y
britt_brooke @AlaMich Goofy seems to be a common greyhound trait, lol! Too funny. What a sweetie. 2y
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AlaMich
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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“Drawing his hand over his chops Sir Peter assumed an air of patience, and began to expound in easy language the doctrine of the sacraments, of the sacramental virtue which sets the priest apart from the ruck of the world. Pedantic fool! thought the prioress, saying courteously: ‘Of course Undoubtedly. How clearly you put it.‘

‘We shall miss your explanations,‘ added Dame Helen with sturdy malice.”

Mansplaining, 14th century style

LeahBergen I have this on my shelves. How are you liking it? 3y
AlaMich @LeahBergen I am loving it so far, but I‘m only on page 30. I am a very slow reader and she writes dense, meaty prose which I love. I‘ve also had a lifelong fascination with nuns and the life of a convent (maybe odd for a Jewish girl 🤷🏻‍♀️?) especially during the Middle Ages. But I absolutely recommend it if those things are in your wheelhouse. (edited) 3y
LeahBergen That sounds like my cup of tea. I‘ve always been fascinated by nuns, too (maybe it‘s a non-Catholic thing? 😆). Have you read this one? 3y
See All 10 Comments
AlaMich @LeahBergen I haven‘t but I will definitely check it out! I would also recommend this one, although it‘s not precisely a nun nor a convent. But it‘s fascinating. 3y
LeahBergen @AlaMich Ah, yes! I have that on my shelves as well. I‘ve also recently bought this one (so I should be good for a while 😆) 3y
AlaMich @LeahBergen One last rec on the subject is this non-fiction book, which I thought was amazing. If you‘re not familiar, Karen Armstrong writes on many religious topics, but this is her account of entering a convent and her decision to leave 3y
LeahBergen Thanks! I‘ll add that to my list. It sounds fascinating. 3y
Centique @AlaMich @LeahBergen just to say that thanks to this conversation I now have a corner of my TBR for Books about Nuns 😂😂 3y
LeahBergen @Centique 😆😆 I love it! 3y
AlaMich @LeahBergen @Centique 🤣 I‘m almost finished with The Corner (I‘m a VERY slow reader) and it will be the first five star read of the year for me. I think you both would enjoy it. (edited) 3y
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review
TheBookstorePodcast
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Pickpick

Spent my long weekend reading in a hammock! How about you?

review
Hamlet
Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Pickpick

This novel set in the 1300s amid the plague years has particular resonance to our own corona-virus times. Warner is a delightful writer, full of insight & gorgeous phrasing. Don‘t be put off by the time period. Warner portrays the characters in the Oby Nunnery with all their flaws, humor, & vitality. There is no single protagonist, but it works. The personalities & intrigues of these women (and a few men) had me racing through the book.

BarbaraBB Sounds very good. The one I am reading is about pestilence too and may appeal to you because of your Litsy handle 💚. 3y
Hamlet Oh, thanks for reminding me of that one! 3y
Suet624 I have this one on my shelf. Thanks for nudging me closer to it. 3y
Hamlet @Suet624 Happy to do so. I hope to read more STW myself. 3y
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danibel
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Currently reading

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Suet624
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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The September NYRB Book Club has just arrived. Nuns, a Benedictine convent, the 14th century, and the Black Death. Just my cup of tea.

#SelfImprovementSept
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620
#SomethingNew

batsy Oooh, yes! Want 😍 4y
ValerieAndBooks Looks intriguing! Stacking. 4y
LeahBergen I‘ve been eyeing this one! 4y
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AmyG It DOES sound good! 4y
SamanthaMarie Ooo definitely stacked!!! 4y
OriginalCyn620 New books are always a good thing! 4y
youneverarrived Ohh I think I‘ll have to order this one! 4y
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EvieBee
The Corner That Held Them | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Eggplant Parmesan is great, it just takes so long and has so many steps. Finally. Food! #bookanddinner #nuns #vmc

Also worth mentioning that I have a thing for nuns. Classic films, literature. They fascinate me! Ever watched THE CHEESE NUN documentary? Amazing! Okay that is all.

Lacythebookworm Yum! I read and enjoyed Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner last year! 😊👍 7y
EvieBee @Lacythebookworm Just looked it up and it sounds like a great read! The first book ever picked by The Book of the Month Club in 1926? Wow. 7y
Zelma Have you read In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden? It is fantastic and right up your alley. 7y
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EvieBee @Zelma I adore Rumer! I have this book but haven't read it yet. Thank you so much for recommending it. I'll have to bump it up. 7y
Zelma I think it would be a perfect winter book - very quiet, calm, and soothing. Curling up under a blanket with hot cocoa reading. 😋 7y
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