Flirting with Monasticism: Finding God on Ancient Paths

by Karen E. Sloan, John Ortberg (Foreword)

This is a love story. Girl meets boy. Boy joins a monastic order. Their relationship sets a young woman on a much different path than she ever imagined. Woven together in Karen Sloan'sFlirting with Monasticism are two stories of love and commitment: her exploration of monastic spirituality set against the yearlong journey of a novice class of men preparing to join the Dominican order. Each breathlessly confusing but ultimately fulfilling step leads to unexpected treasures: new ways to pray, a deeper experience of Christian community, and closer communion with God.

Genres: Spirituality, Christianity, Memoir, Religion, Christian

163 pages, Paperback

First published November 2, 2006

Reviews

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a woman who did the whole convert to Catholicism back in my early 30s, this book reminded me both why I converted and why I returned to being a Presbyterian. Plus, I know the author, which is cool.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick-read memoir about a woman's exploration of her vocation, relationships, and monastic life. Sometimes read like a "Dominicans for dummies" book, with descriptions about particular Catholic practices interspersed with personal stories.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

good subject--the writing was not very smooth or captivating

[Marianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really more a 2.5 stars. Her story is interesting, but the writing was a little disjointed. Basically the book needed a good editor!

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This memoir with its mixture of spiritual practice and the hope for romance was unsettling. Not in a good way.