A Convent Tale: A Century of Sisterhood in Spanish Milan

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating history
Review: This is a fine history of a particular convent/religious order (the Angelicas) in Milan from its origins in 1530 to around 1630 in detail, and then a quick epilogue to its suppression in 1810 and refounding in 1879. While there is lots of good, primary source information about the convent itself, in many ways the convent history is a springboard to larger issues of the day -- various class and gender issues, along with a general look at Milan, church politics, etc. I found it particularly interesting because I have always viewed the Tridentine enclosure as a positive, freeing act for the nuns. This book, however, has a slightly different, though quite fairly and well delineated take on it.

I should also comment that the book seemed especially well written to me. The author has a good command of words and I look forward to any future work she may produce.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the history of the period, in general, and gender or Church history in particular.