Rating: 
Summary: reminiscent of a Zen brush painting
Review: Out of the 79 Amazon.com reader reviews I read, only two (one by a horrified, scandalized ex-Carmelite nun with nothing good to say about the book; another by a very open-minded Catholic with interreligious interests) explicitly noted the Buddhist elements in this unpretentious yet evocative work, which in its spareness radiated what I felt to be an aura similar to that of a Zen brush painting.It's hard to write short prose, but Salzman's done it well in this story about a Carmelite nun whose ecstatic visions may be a function of temporal lobe epilepsy. The protagonist, Sister John of the Cross, finds herself in the crux of a dilemma: a simple operation could cure her, but she would be bereft of the visions which have enraptured her, inspired jealousy among some of her fellow nuns, and enabled her to write bestselling religious prose. Her story is told sparsely, with no histrionic emotional excess (what Karen Armstrong, herself an ex-nun, calls the "drama" of monotheism), but with enough compassion to let the reader know that Salzman is not mocking his subject. The Zen quote that most strongly came to mind after I finished "Lying Awake" was the one about mountains and rivers: "Before I studied the Way, mountains were mountains, and rivers were rivers. After I'd practiced the Way for a few years, suddenly mountains were no longer mountains, and rivers no longer rivers. But now that I've practiced the Way for many, many years, mountains are again mountains, and rivers are rivers." Sister John, in perhaps a rougher fashion than the Zen poet, comes around to a strikingly similar conclusion, and we are all the richer for it. Holiness is found here-- in the sublimely, grindingly, gloriously ordinary, not "out there" in pseudo-mystical Fantasyland. While I appreciate the ex-Carmelite reviewer's remarks about mistakes Salzman may have made in his portrayal of Catholicism and the cloistered life, I locate his book's value in the fact that it's a STORY, not a journalistic account. Read in this manner, Salzman's book has plenty of good things to say for us all. Hats off to him for a great little work.
Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking and engrossing
Review: This is an interesting book. I am still thinking about it and i finished it a week ago and am a quarter into another book. Lovely job, Salzman does here. You get a feel for the life of the nun, true, but the story applies to ANY faith and is such a great story
Rating: 
Summary: A Year in the Life...of a Nun
Review: I purchased LYING AWAKE because the premise sounded intriguing. How many times has the central character of a novel been a nun? Hardly ever, right? I had never read a book quite like this before, and I am glad that I did. I wouldn't say that it was one of the best novels that I've read, but it was very interesting. The author impressed me with his use of knowledge/learnings of convent life, the contemplations of nuns, and especially his writing style. Not being a totally devout/religious person, this was a new experience for me. I was glad to have read it to learn about faith and how others viewed it, especially from someone as "extreme" as a nun. There was no sex, no violence, no action. Just a great simple story about the trials and tribulations in a convent. I had expected more drama and conflict as Sister John wrestled with her past and considered her future, but unfortunately didn't get that. Thankfully, the writer's prose was enjoyable enough, and I recommend this book for anyone wanting a break from fast-paced life.
Rating:
Summary: Quietly Beautiful: A Novel of Faith
Review: LYING AWAKE is the story of Sister John of the Cross, a Carmelite nun, living in a cloister outside Los Angeles. Sister John seeks answerd for her faith and of her life and purpose and is rewarded with breathtaking visions. But when these visions are explained by doctors to be the result of epileptic seizures, Sister John must reexamine her faith. Salzman's book is written in a sparse, but exquisitively sensitive style using the liturgy. A beautiful story about faith.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good, but Not Stellar
Review: As a former nun, I have, perhaps, a deeper insight into this lifestyle than most; that being said, the author did a remarkable job of capturing personalities, traditions, etc., in that life. Where he fell down, in my opinion, is that he did not articulate in enough passionate detail Sister John of the Cross' relationship with the Other (God). There was not enough angst for her making the decision to live in faith or to live with (false) certainty. It is a good, quick read, and I recommend it, but it lacks the passion that could have made it absolutely outstanding.
Rating:
Summary: A Quick Read
Review: This book is a REALLY quick read. I mean, literally 2-2.5 hours or so. If it's a book club selection (like it was for me), consider buying a couple of copies and cycling them through the group - we all felt a little wasteful as we looked at our barely worn books at our club meeting!
I won't go into the story, as I see many other reviewers have done so already. I enjoyed the book, and it was great instant gratification, as you can read it in such a short time. It's a great book club choice for a time of year that's otherwise busy...I think everyone in my club had the book read in time for our meeting!
Rating:
Summary: Lying Awake by Mark Salzman
Review: Salzman presents a genius in his work Lying Awake. He creates a masterful work in the form of this novel- one that few see the kind of intricate attention for detail and enormous dovetailing to the mundane quality of convent life as few know it.
There is a clarity and purpose in this story that is so real and so enormous that it often takes the readers breath away. There are details that makes one wonder how Salzman got the level of detail that he did, in spite of the fact that contemplatives still covet their way of life and observe the Rule to the letter of the law, especially in not allowing outsiders in.
Sr. John of the Cross is the main character who has been in the convent in southern California for over 20 years, the only adult life she has known and she is beginning to experience a deeply religious ecstasy that few ever experience. This is the result of a brain tumor, which becomes her true cross to bear.
This story is not just about Sr. John however; it also tells about life in a contemplative setting- one in which many who suffer from the throes of materialism, could not exist. It stresses a life a control and endurance and tolerance, all for the sake of learning to know and love God.
This is a compelling read, one that is resonant in details, one that speaks honestly of questioning faith at a high level. There are introspective views in this book not often seen and that is what takes this novel to a level different from most.
However, in the process of taking her cross to God each time, Sr. John is faced with walking the talk, by having to make a devastating decision, one that will change her experience with God. This is her cross.
The level of detail and the grace that is woven into this story is the elegance that moves with the same wonder that women in the old habits did. There is a starkness and a simplicity that tells this story that is so compelling it forces the reader to care about what happens to Sr. John and all the rest of the nuns.
Frequently, in contemplative convents, there are nuns called externs who perform the outside work required for all contacts so that the contemplatives inside can do what they do best- spend their day in quiet and constant prayer. That is usually the only person who is allowed within the walls and even that one has some restraints. Priests are allowed only in certain areas.
The cast of characters are so well developed that there is a certain sadness as the last few pages are read, knowing that the reader is about to leave these caring, loving and extremely extraordinary people.
In a time when the Church is in crisis, this story reinvents the idea of God's grace and His goodness and all that is in living within the context of God's will.
There is also a resurgent interest in contemplative life in America today, which is perhaps the result of our chaotic way of life. This book is one of the best mirrors I have seen in many years of a true example of what life is like for those who have lived it and know it to be true to form.
This is perhaps one of the best books I have read this year!
Rating:
Summary: a quiet, forceful, surprising novel
Review: I thought I had this novel figured out before I read it, after learning it was about a nun who experiences mystical visions, only to find out she has an underlying physical problem. I was wrong. This is such a beautiful, quiet, spare novel. Sister John of the Cross struggles in her faith as we all do, and there are no easy answers for her. Her dilemma is more than whether her experiences are a union with God or simply an effect of her neurological ailment. Her dilemma is understanding what is required of her in this life--what she needs to do for herself, for others, and for God. Sister John's struggle is in finding beauty and meaning in life and doing God's work in the world without any reward. It's quite an amazing short novel that really makes you think about your own place in the world.
Rating:
Summary: This book is like a little parable...
Review: The story of Sister John's spiritual struggle with her epileptic visions is short and is told as simply as possible, like a biblical parable, and with a similarly powerful emotional effect. The style of Salzman's writing defers to the power of the story, and does not draw attention to itself in ironic/ cynical/ post-modern fashion. The effect is like a little jewel, a small, intense, sparkling story. I've always enjoyed Salzman's books but this is by far my favorite.
Rating:
Summary: compelling
Review: Salzman,although an Agnostic, has captured great understanding of the cloistered life -- without cluttering his work with his own opinions. This shows deep respect for those called to this life (a life that can seem strange and useless to many). I appalud him for using fiction to speak the truth.
Lying Awake is a quick staisfying read. The story of Sr John's struggles and the nuances of monastic life provide contemplative food. The author shows how the life of the religous is not one of escape after all; that monks and nuns still have themselves to life with
Salzman's prose is simple and direct. No unnecessary adjectives.
The poetry was inspiring and quotes from the Daily Offices thoughtful.
Eager to read more of Salzman's books.
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