Convent Life Unveiled: The Trials and Persecutions of Edith O'Gorman

by Edith O'Gorman Auffrey

The thrilling tale of Edith O'Gorman was one of the most damaging exposes ever made by an ex-nun. An accomplished lecturer, Edith O'Gorman drew large audiences to hear her talks on the experience of being a nun, and Roman Catholicism in general. O'Gorman's book, which was first published in 1871, narrates the story of her trials and experiences during the 6 years she spent as a Sister of Charity, of her conversion to Protestantism in 1869, of her lectures on Romanism up until 1870 (when she married William Auffrey), Some of the revelations in "Convent Life Unveiled" are nothing short of blood-curdling. O'Gorman's book caused quite a stir in her day, selling more than 300,000 copies and nearly costing her life (a failed assassination attempt sent a bullet through her bonnet, barely missing her head). During the 15-year lecture tour she took with her husband, it was claimed that more than 70 attempts were made on their lives. Regardless of the reader's religious persuasion or belief in the veracity of Edith O'Gorman's story, "Convent Life Unveiled" offers a fascinating, thought-provoking view of what life in a19th-century convent may very well have been like.

152 pages, Paperback

First published August 22, 2010