In This House of Brede

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Summary: Rumer Godden's triumph: a love story of the soul
Review: This book shows the rich and full life that was to be had in an abbey. Godden portrays the nuns as human and individual beneath the uniform guise of the habit. Religious devotion is depicted with respect and warmth--a difficult combination, and a rare and welcome perspective in this day and age. Each time I've read it, I've found the book moving and thought-provoking.

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Summary: My favorite book of all time
Review: This is my favorite book of all time and I have read a lot of books. The writing is beautiful. The characters are very realisticly portrayed with frailties and strengths like the rest of us. I'm sure it is a realistic portrayal of life in a monastery with all the problems and joy when people of different backgrounds and personalities are living together in close quarters trying to follow the will of God. I love the descriptions of everything in the book. The characters are so well-developed and most interesting. I've read this book twice and will reread it again several times in the future. I think it's a classic.