Frost in May

Rating:
Summary: A 20th century classic yet little known
Review: If you have not read "Frost in May" you are in for a real delight; this semi-autobiographical novel tells the story of young Fernanda (Nanda) who is sent to a convent boarding school in the years just before WWI. She is "unpicked and remade" in the mold of a well-bred, well-educated Catholic young lady. However, Nanda is never quite one of the group; her father is a convert to the faith and middle-class. Most of the students are daughters of old Catholic gentry and Nanda feels the subtle discrimintation.

Yet Nanda loves the hermetic routine, her companions and the age-old routine of the school. She begins to feel very at home, and excels her studies when she makes a terrible mistake.

The sensitive treatment of a young girl's feelings and attitudes, the recreation of the rarified atmosphere of a convent in pre-war England make this book a fine piece of literature. Antonia White wrote 3 more novels, all semi-biographical and then a few other short works. She was afflicted by writer's block and her output is slim, which is a shame. She was a tremendously talented writer, and every word is crafted perfectly.

Rating:
Summary: A 20th century classic yet little known
Review: If you have not read "Frost in May" you are in for a real delight; this semi-autobiographical novel tells the story of young Fernanda (Nanda) who is sent to a convent boarding school in the years just before WWI. She is "unpicked and remade" in the mold of a well-bred, well-educated Catholic young lady. However, Nanda is never quite one of the group; her father is a convert to the faith and middle-class. Most of the students are daughters of old Catholic gentry and Nanda feels the subtle discrimintation.

Yet Nanda loves the hermetic routine, her companions and the age-old routine of the school. She begins to feel very at home, and excels her studies when she makes a terrible mistake.

The sensitive treatment of a young girl's feelings and attitudes, the recreation of the rarified atmosphere of a convent in pre-war England make this book a fine piece of literature. Antonia White wrote 3 more novels, all semi-biographical and then a few other short works. She was afflicted by writer's block and her output is slim, which is a shame. She was a tremendously talented writer, and every word is crafted perfectly.

Rating:
Summary: "Already she was learning to obey."
Review: In 1908, nine-year-old Nanda Grey is sent to the Convent of the Five Wounds for a Catholic education. Nanda's father, a recent convert to Catholicism believes that the education that Nanda will receive at the hands of the nuns will provide her with a firm foundation in the Catholic faith, and that this will form her character permanently.

When Nanda arrives at the convent, she is at first overwhelmed by the details regarding the infinite number of the rules. There are petty rules against a vast number of things--from forming friendships to saying the word 'rotten'. The young and impressionable Nanda is susceptible to the constant criticism of the nuns against her character. There is a reward system which grants coloured ribbons for certain behaviours, and it doesn't take long before Nanda is determined to get her ribbon to prove something about the inherent goodness of her character. Initially, Nanda is rather impressed with the mysticism behind Catholicism, but inevitably, she rebels against the harsh rules imposed by the often sadistic nuns. Within a few years of performing and still coming under heavy criticism, Nanda sniffs the inherent hypocrisy of the system--the humiliation of the poorer students for example, and she develops a "small core of rebelliousness."

Antonia White's largely autobiographical novel "Frost in May" portrays life at the Convent in a clear, analytical manner. It's fascinating to read how Nanda's actions are rewarded or punished by the twisted value system of the convent--for example, one incident of Nanda's generosity is rewarded by shame. The Nuns obsess about the most trivial things, and the outward trappings of behavior and ritual are valued above all else. Blind obedience is sought and rewarded, but even that isn't necessarily enough, and often arbitrary punishments are given simply to test a pupil's submission. The novel includes many descriptions of religious faith and religious ritual, so the novel may not appeal to all readers. Nonetheless, for a readable description of life in a convent school in the early 1900s, this novel is an excellent portrayal one girl's struggle with her own nature--displacedhuman.


Rating:
Summary: Frost In May - Antonia White
Review: Since I first read this book at the age of twelve, it has continued to both delight me and reduce me to tears each of the many times I have picked it up. It appeals to people of all ages and truly allows the reader to enter into the mind of Nanda. It is a must for anyone who can empathise with Nanda's oppression, to whatever degree, and I see no reason why anyone should fail to enjoy this beautifully structured, smoothly flowing 'calm amd factual record of the slow death of a soul', to use the words of Selina Hastings. It only disappoints me that this novel remains so little-known.

Rating:
Summary: Great writing with little plot
Review: This book drew me in immediately and promised a very interesting plot. However, towards the middle end, it slowed down and kept talking about the same ideas over and over. I got the point of oppression the first few examples. This would have been forgivable had it not been for such a weak plot. It is a slow and uncertain climax with a very disappointing resolution. The style of writing is very readable, yet not simplistic and boring. For this reason it deserves three stars, but the plot left a lot to be desired. It was rather obvious that this book was quasi-autobiographical. A good read if you don't expect much in the way of story resolution.

Rating:
Summary: Great writing with little plot
Review: This book drew me in immediately and promised a very interesting plot. However, towards the middle end, it slowed down and kept talking about the same ideas over and over. I got the point of oppression the first few examples. This would have been forgivable had it not been for such a weak plot. It is a slow and uncertain climax with a very disappointing resolution. The style of writing is very readable, yet not simplistic and boring. For this reason it deserves three stars, but the plot left a lot to be desired. It was rather obvious that this book was quasi-autobiographical. A good read if you don't expect much in the way of story resolution.

Rating:
Summary: wonderful!
Review: this book was recommended to me a few years ago, and i'm so thankful for the suggestion! i just read it, and what a marvelous book!

it tells the story of a young girl who is sent to a catholic school in england in 1908. it's fascinating to read about her conversion and eventual questioning of catholicism. i haven't read such frightening sermons since james joyce's portrait of an artist as a young man.

the book is fluid, suspenseful and utterly readable. antonia white's narration is gutwrenchingly believable. the book is the first in series of white's 4 semi-autobiographical novels. i cannot wait to read the others.

i strongly suggest you read this book; i think you'll be delighted!