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La sorellanza
Menina Walker è figlia della fortuna. Sfuggita miracolosamente alla devastazione di un uragano in Sudamerica, ma condannata a un’esistenza miserabile con un misterioso medaglione come unico patrimonio, a tre anni viene adottata da una coppia statunitense e conosce una nuova vita. A diciannove, bellissima e intelligente, è innamorata, fidanzata ed eccitata per il futuro... finché un altro evento traumatico non distrugge i suoi sogni. Per soffocare l’infelicità parte per la Spagna, dove intende compiere delle ricerche per la tesi di laurea su un pittore cinquecentesco che firmava le proprie opere con l’immagine di una rondine, la stessa del suo medaglione. Quando una rapina la costringe in un paesino tra le montagne dell’Andalusia, sotto la protezione di uno scontroso capitano di polizia che la nasconde in un antico convento isolato, la vita di Menina subisce una nuova svolta improvvisa. Nell’esplorare il convento, con la sola compagnia di poche suore anziane e smemorate, Menina scopre l’epica saga di cinque orfane tenute nascoste all’Inquisizione spagnola e aiutate a fuggire nel Nuovo Mondo da una comunità di suore coraggiose e speciali. Il medaglione è forse un legame con quelle donne straordinarie o con il suo stesso passato? Ed è stato il caso a condurla al convento o il destino ha deciso di trasformare la figlia della fortuna nella Figlia della Luce?
Romanzo di potenti sentimenti e thriller storico, La sorellanza è una rocambolesca e avvincente cavalcata attraverso continenti e secoli.
Romanzo di potenti sentimenti e thriller storico, La sorellanza è una rocambolesca e avvincente cavalcata attraverso continenti e secoli.
468 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
2035 people are currently reading
12557 people want to read
About the author
Helen Bryan
18 books323 followersHelen Bryan is an American-born writer living in London for many years She qualified and practised as a barrister in England before giving up law to concentrate on a biography of fellow Virginian Martha Washington (MARTHA WASHINGTON FIRST LADY OF LIBERTY published by John Wiley in the USA in 2002 which won an Award of Merit from the Colonial Dames of America. WAR BRIDES (published by Penguin Books in the UK in 2007) is Helen's first novel. It features five young women, the war brides of the title, and is a multilayered saga of watime romances, a daring rescue plot, and long delayed revenge. It is now available on Kindle as well as paperback. A second novel, THE SISTERHOOD, will come out soon. Readers feedback and comments are welcome.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,466 reviews
June 2, 2017
Honestly I wish this book had only been about the people who's backstories we hear and not Menina because she was such a bore, all her parts made me want to skip ahead. The only parts with her that weren't painful to read were the ones when she's in the monastery already. That said I really enjoyed the writing and I didn't mind the plot line being so convoluted except maybe again the parts with Menina. Also the ending felt so cheesy and I'm not sure why but most of the time it's really hard for people to write effective happy endings? Anyways I gave it four stars because the bulk of the story was really good and I loved the writing so I'm just going to pretend the whole thing with Menina didn't even exist.
November 19, 2013
Since the publication of The Da Vinvi Code it could have been expected that similar 'what if'- questions would pull a few new surprises out of the hats of history, and this book is no exception. In the Da Vinci Code, the question was asked 'What if Jesus was married or had a family?'. In this book the question is asked ' What if Jesus had sisters or brothers, and Mary did not remain a virgin forever? '
Throw in the theories presented in another recent book 'The Kabbalist' around the true history of Jesus as seen from a Jewish viewpoint, as well as yet another possibility in 'The Shack' of God being a woman, and I can safely declare myself ready to drown my sorrowful confusion in a casket of ancient Roman Posca!
This long and complex tale centers around a history of women and their fate in the Catholic church during and after the Spanish Inquisition in which people from other faiths were forced to convert to Christianity with bloody prosecutions and killings by the thousands for those who still practiced their own religions in secret.
The Gospel of the Foundress of the Las Golondrinas Convent, Andalusia, Spain, ultimately reveals much more than her own history. It solves the mystery behind the badge around the little girl's neck who was found in a fishing boat by sailors and delivered to a convent in Spanish South America.
This is her, Menina Walker's story, going back centuries and involving the fates of five orphan girls: Esperanza, Pia, Sanchia, Marisol, and Luz. Menina Walker, the little Spanish girl who was adopted and given a new name by American Baptists, was given the medal and The Chronicle for save keeping by the nuns of the South American convent. She grew up in America, decided to study Art History and visit Spain for her college thesis. A traumatic experience drives her to go sooner than later.
As fate would have it, she misses her bus to Madrid and unbeknownst to her, she lands up in the convent where her story begun, centuries ago .
The reader is immediately pulled deep into the narrative, totally losing a sense of reality, completely vanishing into the in-depth history of the Spanish Inquisition, the fate of the Jewish, Muslim and other converts who were prosecuted by the Spanish authorities and the destiny of the nuns who had to take care, in utmost poverty, of the sufferers of the prosecutions.
Two story lines are intertwined. The one begins in 1552 in Spain and the second one in 2000 with Menina Walker starting her life as young student.
At first I was mesmerized. The information is so well presented that the reader taste, feel, hear, and smell every single detail. From moldy dark, dilapidated convents, to the barbaric, 'uncivilized' Incas, the taste of stale bread, and the stinky breaths of rotten teeth - it was vividly presented. The story is a riveting depiction of the terrible lives of so many people in that period of history.
But by the 50% mark of the kindle version I had enough of the endless historical detail and the endless repeat of horror and hardship in the different story lines of the five girls, their families and the nuns. I had enough of the never-ending adding of new characters and their stories. The superficial, light-weight inclusion of the modern, and romantic, American girl's participation in the story almost derailed it for me. It did not quite fit into the narrative at all! What a pity! It would have been more convincing, to me personally, if she was from South America, or not present at all!
But! The Sisterhood was a learning curve. Informative, thrilling, suspenseful, perfectly constructed, masterfully presented.
I would have loved to rate it five stars, but one stars goes awol for the tedious nature of the information dump. Menina, with her cheap, tasteless, money-driven, mass-market, tourist-trap solution just blew it for me! The dignity in the tale of the nuns and the orphans was destroyed. No, Menina was not the heroine in this book at all, sorry! The humble, devoted, dedicated, compassionate nuns unintentionally overshadowed her in every aspect of what it means to be human and to sacrifice everything for the good of fellow human beings.
There were just too many protagonists, a too detailed information overload and intense descriptions of the surroundings. However, the historical aspects of the story, with the nuns as protagonists, saved the book. Their stories were the magnificence this tale needed to make it an extraordinary read!
I recommend it to anyone who is interested in this part of history and can appreciate the immense wealth of research being presented in this narrative. The story contains many elements of the Greek comedy, Lysistrata, written by Aristophanes, which was performed in 411 BC. in Athens. This aspect provides another enchanting dimension to the book. And then there is the sub-story of the swallows........! Amazing!
All in all though, a really, really good read! I love this author's writing style and way with words. I will read her again.
Throw in the theories presented in another recent book 'The Kabbalist' around the true history of Jesus as seen from a Jewish viewpoint, as well as yet another possibility in 'The Shack' of God being a woman, and I can safely declare myself ready to drown my sorrowful confusion in a casket of ancient Roman Posca!
This long and complex tale centers around a history of women and their fate in the Catholic church during and after the Spanish Inquisition in which people from other faiths were forced to convert to Christianity with bloody prosecutions and killings by the thousands for those who still practiced their own religions in secret.
The Gospel of the Foundress of the Las Golondrinas Convent, Andalusia, Spain, ultimately reveals much more than her own history. It solves the mystery behind the badge around the little girl's neck who was found in a fishing boat by sailors and delivered to a convent in Spanish South America.
This is her, Menina Walker's story, going back centuries and involving the fates of five orphan girls: Esperanza, Pia, Sanchia, Marisol, and Luz. Menina Walker, the little Spanish girl who was adopted and given a new name by American Baptists, was given the medal and The Chronicle for save keeping by the nuns of the South American convent. She grew up in America, decided to study Art History and visit Spain for her college thesis. A traumatic experience drives her to go sooner than later.
As fate would have it, she misses her bus to Madrid and unbeknownst to her, she lands up in the convent where her story begun, centuries ago .
The reader is immediately pulled deep into the narrative, totally losing a sense of reality, completely vanishing into the in-depth history of the Spanish Inquisition, the fate of the Jewish, Muslim and other converts who were prosecuted by the Spanish authorities and the destiny of the nuns who had to take care, in utmost poverty, of the sufferers of the prosecutions.
Two story lines are intertwined. The one begins in 1552 in Spain and the second one in 2000 with Menina Walker starting her life as young student.
At first I was mesmerized. The information is so well presented that the reader taste, feel, hear, and smell every single detail. From moldy dark, dilapidated convents, to the barbaric, 'uncivilized' Incas, the taste of stale bread, and the stinky breaths of rotten teeth - it was vividly presented. The story is a riveting depiction of the terrible lives of so many people in that period of history.
But by the 50% mark of the kindle version I had enough of the endless historical detail and the endless repeat of horror and hardship in the different story lines of the five girls, their families and the nuns. I had enough of the never-ending adding of new characters and their stories. The superficial, light-weight inclusion of the modern, and romantic, American girl's participation in the story almost derailed it for me. It did not quite fit into the narrative at all! What a pity! It would have been more convincing, to me personally, if she was from South America, or not present at all!
But! The Sisterhood was a learning curve. Informative, thrilling, suspenseful, perfectly constructed, masterfully presented.
I would have loved to rate it five stars, but one stars goes awol for the tedious nature of the information dump. Menina, with her cheap, tasteless, money-driven, mass-market, tourist-trap solution just blew it for me! The dignity in the tale of the nuns and the orphans was destroyed. No, Menina was not the heroine in this book at all, sorry! The humble, devoted, dedicated, compassionate nuns unintentionally overshadowed her in every aspect of what it means to be human and to sacrifice everything for the good of fellow human beings.
There were just too many protagonists, a too detailed information overload and intense descriptions of the surroundings. However, the historical aspects of the story, with the nuns as protagonists, saved the book. Their stories were the magnificence this tale needed to make it an extraordinary read!
I recommend it to anyone who is interested in this part of history and can appreciate the immense wealth of research being presented in this narrative. The story contains many elements of the Greek comedy, Lysistrata, written by Aristophanes, which was performed in 411 BC. in Athens. This aspect provides another enchanting dimension to the book. And then there is the sub-story of the swallows........! Amazing!
All in all though, a really, really good read! I love this author's writing style and way with words. I will read her again.
June 27, 2015
I’m giving The Sisterhood three stars. I would give Menina’s story, the one that takes place in the 21st century two stars, but I would give the story of the different ladies from the Spanish convent that took place in the 16th century four stars. Hence the three star rating.
This book may seem slightly daunting at first. At 400 pages a good portion of which are about historical events, and with the first 80 pages sort of slow it was hard to like this book right off the bat. Don’t worry though, if you have the patience to stick it out you will be rewarded.
Menina’s Story: Although I liked Menina her story was very lackluster for the most part. The part I disliked the most of her story, how unbelievable her plot line was. The part where Menina falls asleep and misses her bus in a foreign country and her bag gets stolen and she doesn't run after the kid, it is more complex than that, but let me tell you that it the scene was totally unbelievable. I don’t know about you but I don’t like it when something happens in a story that is so crazy that you just can’t get over it. That was me, but this happened relatively early in the novel so I kept trudging along and I’m glad I did.
16th Century Spanish Convent (stories written down in the Chronicle, along with the medal, the only things Menina has of her heritage): Although I think there are too many interlocking convent girls’ stories and it was at times hard to follow, this was the most interesting part of the novel. It was great to read about the past and see all the little connections between these different girls/women and Menina in the 21st century. It was a fun puzzle to put together, even if it was occasionally obvious.
I really loved the format of the book, the switching back and forth between the 21st century and the 16th century was done really well and at a good pace. It was a really nice story about a book that preserved the ladies of the 16th century's lives. I love the emphasis on the importance of a book and the written word. The only part I didn't like about this was the ending. When we are finally switched back over to Menina for good we don’t get a lot of time with her before the book is over, leaving a couple of loose ends and an overly quick wrap up. Although I did like the very end of the novel, even if it was once again a little far-fetched.
In the end this is a pretty interesting read. It has a good amount of mystery and secrets that may be hard to follow at times, but kept my attention.
I would say that if you have some extra time to give this book a chance. It would be a great library pick.
** I received a free e-copy of this book from netgalley and Amazon Publishing in exchange for my honest review. Thanks!
This book may seem slightly daunting at first. At 400 pages a good portion of which are about historical events, and with the first 80 pages sort of slow it was hard to like this book right off the bat. Don’t worry though, if you have the patience to stick it out you will be rewarded.
Menina’s Story: Although I liked Menina her story was very lackluster for the most part. The part I disliked the most of her story, how unbelievable her plot line was. The part where Menina falls asleep and misses her bus in a foreign country and her bag gets stolen and she doesn't run after the kid, it is more complex than that, but let me tell you that it the scene was totally unbelievable. I don’t know about you but I don’t like it when something happens in a story that is so crazy that you just can’t get over it. That was me, but this happened relatively early in the novel so I kept trudging along and I’m glad I did.
16th Century Spanish Convent (stories written down in the Chronicle, along with the medal, the only things Menina has of her heritage): Although I think there are too many interlocking convent girls’ stories and it was at times hard to follow, this was the most interesting part of the novel. It was great to read about the past and see all the little connections between these different girls/women and Menina in the 21st century. It was a fun puzzle to put together, even if it was occasionally obvious.
I really loved the format of the book, the switching back and forth between the 21st century and the 16th century was done really well and at a good pace. It was a really nice story about a book that preserved the ladies of the 16th century's lives. I love the emphasis on the importance of a book and the written word. The only part I didn't like about this was the ending. When we are finally switched back over to Menina for good we don’t get a lot of time with her before the book is over, leaving a couple of loose ends and an overly quick wrap up. Although I did like the very end of the novel, even if it was once again a little far-fetched.
In the end this is a pretty interesting read. It has a good amount of mystery and secrets that may be hard to follow at times, but kept my attention.
I would say that if you have some extra time to give this book a chance. It would be a great library pick.
** I received a free e-copy of this book from netgalley and Amazon Publishing in exchange for my honest review. Thanks!
July 18, 2013
As a feminist and a Spanish teacher, I was intrigued by the description of the book. However, I was disappointed. I felt the novel was too ambitious for me to have a lasting interest in the characters. I stopped even trying to remember which woman was which and what her story was, as there were just too many names and too much backstory to make the characters stand out as individuals. The scribes' writing in the chronicle did not vary enough, in language nor in style, from the part of the story set in the current day. And the coincidences and attempts at magical realism were not done effectively. There were too many times when I simply rolled my eyes. I would have preferred that the whole "prostitute trafficking" story have been dropped altogether, and there was no need to have the current Opus Dei couple searching for her, either. To me they were distractions, not compelling plot points, making the book lack suspense and momentum.
June 21, 2013
This eye-catching novel with its fascinating premise unfortunately fails to deliver on its promise. When a young South American girl is adopted by a genteel, Southern family, she has only a few clues of her own past. In a disastrous trip to Spain, Menina begins to unravel mysteries dating back to before the Inquisition. The book flips from Menina’s 2000 present, and in the past through the eyes of several nuns, novices and orphans taken in by a secluded convent. Despite its promise, the execution really slows down what could have been a great, epic story. The entire book relies heavily on storytelling - complete with inconsistent verb tenses. Perhaps this would not be as distracting or disappointing in an audio version, but to read this at times feels a bit like reading oral histories of awful events in women’s history. And even more frustratingly, the book does little to celebrate the strength of women, since the underlying current dating all the way back to 10 AD is that a good man will in the end is needed to rescue a woman.
It is not a terrible book, but its uneven pacing, missed opportunities to include more historical detail and characters who never come to life prevent it from being a good one. If only Bryan had decided to focus on just one of these interesting storylines and really focused on the characters, atmosphere and details, it may have been a more meaningful and moving story. And The Da Vinci Code-esque “grand reveal” at the end is not only predictable, but feels rather unimportant considering the amount of time spent on other aspects of the story. Loose ends bog down the rushed ending - most of which go untied - and the modern romance especially feels rather heavy-handed and forced. It is always disappointing to see such a solid premise not live up to its potential.
It is not a terrible book, but its uneven pacing, missed opportunities to include more historical detail and characters who never come to life prevent it from being a good one. If only Bryan had decided to focus on just one of these interesting storylines and really focused on the characters, atmosphere and details, it may have been a more meaningful and moving story. And The Da Vinci Code-esque “grand reveal” at the end is not only predictable, but feels rather unimportant considering the amount of time spent on other aspects of the story. Loose ends bog down the rushed ending - most of which go untied - and the modern romance especially feels rather heavy-handed and forced. It is always disappointing to see such a solid premise not live up to its potential.
May 31, 2013
I read this quickly and enjoyed it, but... I have some complaints.
I liked:
- Sor Beatriz with Salome, and Sor Esperanza
- How the convent was about protecting women
- Menina finding the paintings.
I didn't like:
- How it kept introducing new characters and telling "their" story and then switching to something different. I didn't feel like it flowed very well. Maybe with less characters I could appreciate them more.
I went back to reread a few bits to understand better
If you aren't sure whether to read it, read the first chapter for free with kindle or kindle app then decide.
I liked:
- Sor Beatriz with Salome, and Sor Esperanza
- How the convent was about protecting women
- Menina finding the paintings.
I didn't like:
- How it kept introducing new characters and telling "their" story and then switching to something different. I didn't feel like it flowed very well. Maybe with less characters I could appreciate them more.
I went back to reread a few bits to understand better
If you aren't sure whether to read it, read the first chapter for free with kindle or kindle app then decide.
July 2, 2013
There were moments when I enjoyed this book. A few. For the most part I found it a junior high summer read that just didn't come together. Bryan seems to have a problem with endings and this was a perfect example of her need to grab at every far fetched possibility to tie everything up with a big happy bow.
I think if the author had left out the present day foolishness and focused instead on the story that took place hundreds of years ago the book would have fared better. Her plan was too ambitious and it just didn't work. I found it all unbelievable in the end.
I think if the author had left out the present day foolishness and focused instead on the story that took place hundreds of years ago the book would have fared better. Her plan was too ambitious and it just didn't work. I found it all unbelievable in the end.
May 9, 2013
This book is one of the best I've read this year.
It starts with a couple's trip to pick up their adopted child. From
there, this child grows into a beautiful Spanish young lady. She is
engaged to a man (who seems to be the "ideal man) but uses & hurts
this innocent woman.
She is an art student, who is given a trip to Spain to work on her thesis. She leaves the USA, and is headed for Madrid. Unfortunately,(or not) She misses her connection & has to wait in a small town. There, She is surprises to see the religious floats go by, as Holy week for Catholics is approaching.
From this background, this book picks up speed. She is taken to be a tourist, a prostitute, or drug addict by the Captain of the local police. When he talks & sees her, he takes her to a safe place. To an old convent of nuns, who care for unwanted babies, abused or repented Women. While she is there, she learns of the art the nuns have stored.
The convent is old & very poor. Our heroine sees a chance to help them, by finding an art work in their stored rooms.
The nuns sees a very special medal, hanging from her neck. Dare they hope in miracles of long ago? We learn of the convent's ancient history & their run ins with the Spanish Inquisition. We learn that their nuns were heroic & traveled to distant lands. Along with their missing medal, we learn of a book. So valuable & deadly in the wrong hands, the Catholic Church. And there is a lost "gospel" written inside their book, written in Latin.
Read this book, if you want a great adventure for your mind & spirit.
It starts with a couple's trip to pick up their adopted child. From
there, this child grows into a beautiful Spanish young lady. She is
engaged to a man (who seems to be the "ideal man) but uses & hurts
this innocent woman.
She is an art student, who is given a trip to Spain to work on her thesis. She leaves the USA, and is headed for Madrid. Unfortunately,(or not) She misses her connection & has to wait in a small town. There, She is surprises to see the religious floats go by, as Holy week for Catholics is approaching.
From this background, this book picks up speed. She is taken to be a tourist, a prostitute, or drug addict by the Captain of the local police. When he talks & sees her, he takes her to a safe place. To an old convent of nuns, who care for unwanted babies, abused or repented Women. While she is there, she learns of the art the nuns have stored.
The convent is old & very poor. Our heroine sees a chance to help them, by finding an art work in their stored rooms.
The nuns sees a very special medal, hanging from her neck. Dare they hope in miracles of long ago? We learn of the convent's ancient history & their run ins with the Spanish Inquisition. We learn that their nuns were heroic & traveled to distant lands. Along with their missing medal, we learn of a book. So valuable & deadly in the wrong hands, the Catholic Church. And there is a lost "gospel" written inside their book, written in Latin.
Read this book, if you want a great adventure for your mind & spirit.
April 26, 2013
The Sisterhood is an enjoyable historical fiction contemporary mix, with a little bit of romance written by author Helen Bryan. The story follows the life of a woman named Menina Walker who was adopted from a Spanish convent, into a wealthy family and has lived a life of ease until a jarring experience causes her world to seemingly crash down. Menina has always been intrigued by the sparrow on medal she was given by her birth parents before their death in a tragic hurricane, so in an effort to immerse her self into finishing her college thesis and getting her mind off of the recent tragedy that is her relationship with her fiance, she travels to Spain to study the works of a famous 16th century artist who uses the exact sparrow as his signature as that on her medal. Before long, that trip becomes a nightmare when she is stranded in a village, mugged, and without a phone to call for help.
The local police officer takes Menina to a shelter where she can seek refuge until the passing of their religious holidays or a landline is open so that she is able to call home. Because of Menina's studies in art history, the officer suggests that she look at the old paintings the convent has in an effort to bring money to their humanity efforts. Menina searches through these paintings and what she finds is the history of the convent and women who escaped religious and gender persecution and journeyed ot America during the 1500s.
What I liked most about this novel would definitely be the moments in history that account for most of the book. During the periods in history following the women of the 1500s, Bryan manages to make the reader feel like they are actually right in the room with the women as they write into these diary's. I can smell the convent, see the swallows in their garden, and understand their fears as well as see their dreams. Bryan's character development is what carries the story when the novel becames a little... dull.
My feelings with this novel are that it begins as a promising novel. With the chronicle of one of the nuns describing what is now known as the Spanish inquisition, I was sure that the journey would be exciting. Ultimately this arresting moment lost most of its gusto when the novel introduces Menina. Menina was a bit characterless and I felt that was unfortunate because it could have made this novel a lot more pleasurable. Although I understand Menina being necessary to show the parellels of women of history and modern ones, I think the nuns Bryan created in the chronicles were very captivating and they deserved to be in the company of a strong protagonist such as them. Although the women's stories help Menina to have a coming of age of sorts, I still wanted her to have more substance through much more of the novel.
Overall, Bryan writes the historical moments as if they are happening now and supplies great knowledge and insight for readers. I imagine fans of women's fiction or book clubs will want to add this to their to-read lists. The novel is full of imagery, courageous women, and also moments that make me question how far the world has really come since the times of the Spanish Inquisition. After reading The Sisterhood, I have a greater appreciation for the women who came before me and the paved the way for me to live the life I live today.
The local police officer takes Menina to a shelter where she can seek refuge until the passing of their religious holidays or a landline is open so that she is able to call home. Because of Menina's studies in art history, the officer suggests that she look at the old paintings the convent has in an effort to bring money to their humanity efforts. Menina searches through these paintings and what she finds is the history of the convent and women who escaped religious and gender persecution and journeyed ot America during the 1500s.
What I liked most about this novel would definitely be the moments in history that account for most of the book. During the periods in history following the women of the 1500s, Bryan manages to make the reader feel like they are actually right in the room with the women as they write into these diary's. I can smell the convent, see the swallows in their garden, and understand their fears as well as see their dreams. Bryan's character development is what carries the story when the novel becames a little... dull.
My feelings with this novel are that it begins as a promising novel. With the chronicle of one of the nuns describing what is now known as the Spanish inquisition, I was sure that the journey would be exciting. Ultimately this arresting moment lost most of its gusto when the novel introduces Menina. Menina was a bit characterless and I felt that was unfortunate because it could have made this novel a lot more pleasurable. Although I understand Menina being necessary to show the parellels of women of history and modern ones, I think the nuns Bryan created in the chronicles were very captivating and they deserved to be in the company of a strong protagonist such as them. Although the women's stories help Menina to have a coming of age of sorts, I still wanted her to have more substance through much more of the novel.
Overall, Bryan writes the historical moments as if they are happening now and supplies great knowledge and insight for readers. I imagine fans of women's fiction or book clubs will want to add this to their to-read lists. The novel is full of imagery, courageous women, and also moments that make me question how far the world has really come since the times of the Spanish Inquisition. After reading The Sisterhood, I have a greater appreciation for the women who came before me and the paved the way for me to live the life I live today.
April 30, 2013
Author Helen Bryan has hit a home run with her sprawling saga, The Sisterhood. The novel is composed of two intertwined stories, with one story played out against the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition in the 16th century, the other taking place in modern times. The modern story followed Menina Walker, who had been rescued from the sea off the coast of South America, taken to an orphanage run by Catholic nuns, and later adopted by an American family. The older story was the remarkable tale of a remote Spanish monastery that sent several nuns and four young girls on a perilous voyage to the New World, along with a special treasure that had great significance for the monastery. The two stories converged when the now grown-up Menina, her dreams shattered after a broken engagement, fled to Spain to do research for her college thesis. Due to a disastrous series of events after her arrival, she ended up stranded in a crumbling old monastery filled with elderly nuns. She soon learned, however, that her misfortune may have been serendipitous, since the monastery could hold some clues to her own origins. Ultimately, her discoveries threatened to shake the foundations of the Christian church to its core, but may also offer a path to peace between warring religions.
Kudos to the author for writing a marvelous piece of historical fiction, one that seamlessly blended a very compelling story with an authentic historical backdrop of the tumultuous 16th century, when the Inquisition terrorized all in its path. The four young girls the Las Golondrinas monastery sent to the New World would have been burned as heretics had the nuns not sent them away to Spanish America. The Sisterhood was really their story, as they adapted to their strange new home while the nuns searched for husbands for them. More than four centuries later, Menina Walker read their stories in the book she was given by the South American monastery's Abbess when she was adopted, and made the connections to some musty old paintings found in the Spanish monastery.
The Sisterhood was one of those rare novels where I raced to the last chapter, but hated to see the book end. It had great stories, characters I really got to know and care about, and a stunning outcome.
Kudos to the author for writing a marvelous piece of historical fiction, one that seamlessly blended a very compelling story with an authentic historical backdrop of the tumultuous 16th century, when the Inquisition terrorized all in its path. The four young girls the Las Golondrinas monastery sent to the New World would have been burned as heretics had the nuns not sent them away to Spanish America. The Sisterhood was really their story, as they adapted to their strange new home while the nuns searched for husbands for them. More than four centuries later, Menina Walker read their stories in the book she was given by the South American monastery's Abbess when she was adopted, and made the connections to some musty old paintings found in the Spanish monastery.
The Sisterhood was one of those rare novels where I raced to the last chapter, but hated to see the book end. It had great stories, characters I really got to know and care about, and a stunning outcome.
March 14, 2013
The Sisterhood by Helen Bryan is a masterful stroke of literary genius told with a passion for the lives of each and every character in vivid detail! In a word - Incredible!
The contemporary character, Menina Walker is special. She was found as a toddler in South America, the miraculous survivor of a hurricane, her only possession being an ancient swallow medal. Menina was adopted by an American family, growing into a beautiful and brilliant young woman who thought she had an equally brilliant future ahead. When one brutal event caused her world to come crashing down, Menina escaped to Spain in search of information on a sixteenth century artist who signed his work with a swallow, like the one on her medal.
What Menina uncovered in an old, decaying convent was the life stories of five young women and their brave escapes from death by stealing off to the New World. Depicted in forgotten paintings and in the written histories of the convent, these women were far ahead of their time, often independent thinkers with strong convictions and the personal courage to face danger. Their journeys and their lives uncovered a bond between the convent in Spain and one hidden away in South America. The common link, the swallow, that keeps showing up throughout history. Was this the story of Menina's heritage? Were the lives of these women designed to guide Menina to find her own way, to heal and move on? To trust her heart? To believe in herself?
This beautifully written story is full of historical references, romance, and mystery, while celebrating the lives of these women and those who had the courage to help them along the way. The brutality of the Spanish Inquisition, with the intolerance of religious beliefs and the treatment of those who were different are frighteningly not unlike actions during contemporary times.
Author Helen Bryan brought each character to life, gave them breath and made them feel real. Her descriptive backgrounds put me in the moment as my reality faded further away with each page turned!
An ARC edition was provided by Amazon Publishing in exchange for my honest review. Publication Date: April 30, 2013
The contemporary character, Menina Walker is special. She was found as a toddler in South America, the miraculous survivor of a hurricane, her only possession being an ancient swallow medal. Menina was adopted by an American family, growing into a beautiful and brilliant young woman who thought she had an equally brilliant future ahead. When one brutal event caused her world to come crashing down, Menina escaped to Spain in search of information on a sixteenth century artist who signed his work with a swallow, like the one on her medal.
What Menina uncovered in an old, decaying convent was the life stories of five young women and their brave escapes from death by stealing off to the New World. Depicted in forgotten paintings and in the written histories of the convent, these women were far ahead of their time, often independent thinkers with strong convictions and the personal courage to face danger. Their journeys and their lives uncovered a bond between the convent in Spain and one hidden away in South America. The common link, the swallow, that keeps showing up throughout history. Was this the story of Menina's heritage? Were the lives of these women designed to guide Menina to find her own way, to heal and move on? To trust her heart? To believe in herself?
This beautifully written story is full of historical references, romance, and mystery, while celebrating the lives of these women and those who had the courage to help them along the way. The brutality of the Spanish Inquisition, with the intolerance of religious beliefs and the treatment of those who were different are frighteningly not unlike actions during contemporary times.
Author Helen Bryan brought each character to life, gave them breath and made them feel real. Her descriptive backgrounds put me in the moment as my reality faded further away with each page turned!
An ARC edition was provided by Amazon Publishing in exchange for my honest review. Publication Date: April 30, 2013
January 13, 2017
As you read the story you wonder what connection there is between a baby found with a medallion around it's neck and a Spanish convent in the 1550's. Along the way a host of characters are introduced that spin quite a tale. From the historic perspective it seems to have been well researched, though the truth was probably fudged at times as the author's prerogative. Heck, I would recommend it just for the interesting reading alone.
The drawback was there were so many loose ends to the story that was kind of a let down. As a friend said, they looked at how many pages were left and wondered how everything was going to end. Unfortunately, it seemed like the author just got tired of writing and quickly finished the story and everyone lived happily ever after.
The drawback was there were so many loose ends to the story that was kind of a let down. As a friend said, they looked at how many pages were left and wondered how everything was going to end. Unfortunately, it seemed like the author just got tired of writing and quickly finished the story and everyone lived happily ever after.
August 19, 2013
Okay, just had to get that out of the way first.
This is the first book of Helen Bryan's that I've read. The Sisterhood straddles time periods between 16th century Spain/New World and today. Menina Walker is our main protagonist. As a small child, she was found alive after a hurricane off of the Pacific coast of South America. She was taken to a convent orphanage because of the medal around her neck. Along with the medal is a book, known as the Chronicle. A year later, Menina was adopted by United States citizens. She grows up in a comfortable home in Georgia and goes to a local women's college. There she studies art history, while also becoming engaged to a local son who wants to become a politician.
But the real story centers around the medal and the Chronicle and their beginning in a 16th century convent in Andalusia. The sisters in this convent provide a refuge for women, who are a sorry second-class (or worse) citizen at this time. Women are traded into marriages for land or political gain, bedded at court, and spit out as their usefulness wanes. Thank God we've come out of THAT dark age, right? (Yes, I'm being facetious, as there are a great many women out there who still suffer great injustices just because of their gender.)
The sisters are under the protection of Queen Isabella (yes, THAT one) but that doesn't mean that they are exempt from the Spanish Inquisition. The Church is out to get anyone who may be sympathetic to Jews or Muslims (wait, that's what happens NOW, not then - yes, as they say, everything old is new again.) You must be Christian or perish!! So much for that Christian moral code.
I loved this book - could not put it down. So why couldn't I award it the coveted 5 Star Review?
1. I do wish that Bryan had included some pages (a la Steve Berry or Dan Brown) as to what is historical FACT and what was inspired by historical FACT and then manipulated. Unfortunately, she does not, and my limited research for articles where she might have done so didn't turn up anything. Bad, Bryan, bad! You MUST do this.
2. There are a couple of plot lines that are never resolved. I'm not going to divulge them here, as they would be spoilers, but that irritates me. Why bother bringing them into the story and then forget them?
Finally, I have read some of the reviews that are horrified by the "secret" contained in the Chronicle. Ummm, here's the thing (and again, I'm not going to spoil it, so I'll talk around it): Not the first time it's been brought up. If you do any sort of research on the subject of Jesus and what his life was like for the 33 years before he died on the cross, you would know that scholars from all religious backgrounds agree that there is probably more to Jesus' life that was written in the Bible. Which, btw, was written by men. Hundreds of years after the events happened. What did you have for dinner last Wednesday? Yes, that is my point.
History is always written by the winners.
Some favorite moments from the book:
*Since the earliest days of Christianity our order has been witness to a female tradition of spirituality that men of the church have suppressed and replaced with doctrines that refashioned God and religion in their own image.
*These man-made doctrines swept all before them, drowning out the voice of women, indeed the voice of reason and experience. Resistance became heresy, regardless of truth. Deaconnesses, so active in the early church, saw their authority curtailed, then extinguished. Before long, men of the church were debating whether women, like animals, were incapable of having souls.
*If anything, it confirmed Mother's secret conviction that the world had enough trouble without insisting all worship God the same way. There was room before the Throne for everyone who served Him - Baptists and Hindus, Seventh Day Adventists, Muslims and Jews, as well as Catholics.
*Men and women of the church see chastity differently. Men give it an unnecessary spiritual significance and use it as a tool to control women.
*We have much in common, whether Jew, Muslim, or Christian, only God can judge among us. And yet the church sows dissension and bloodshed.
Loved it and am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Highly recommend.
This is the first book of Helen Bryan's that I've read. The Sisterhood straddles time periods between 16th century Spain/New World and today. Menina Walker is our main protagonist. As a small child, she was found alive after a hurricane off of the Pacific coast of South America. She was taken to a convent orphanage because of the medal around her neck. Along with the medal is a book, known as the Chronicle. A year later, Menina was adopted by United States citizens. She grows up in a comfortable home in Georgia and goes to a local women's college. There she studies art history, while also becoming engaged to a local son who wants to become a politician.
But the real story centers around the medal and the Chronicle and their beginning in a 16th century convent in Andalusia. The sisters in this convent provide a refuge for women, who are a sorry second-class (or worse) citizen at this time. Women are traded into marriages for land or political gain, bedded at court, and spit out as their usefulness wanes. Thank God we've come out of THAT dark age, right? (Yes, I'm being facetious, as there are a great many women out there who still suffer great injustices just because of their gender.)
The sisters are under the protection of Queen Isabella (yes, THAT one) but that doesn't mean that they are exempt from the Spanish Inquisition. The Church is out to get anyone who may be sympathetic to Jews or Muslims (wait, that's what happens NOW, not then - yes, as they say, everything old is new again.) You must be Christian or perish!! So much for that Christian moral code.
I loved this book - could not put it down. So why couldn't I award it the coveted 5 Star Review?
1. I do wish that Bryan had included some pages (a la Steve Berry or Dan Brown) as to what is historical FACT and what was inspired by historical FACT and then manipulated. Unfortunately, she does not, and my limited research for articles where she might have done so didn't turn up anything. Bad, Bryan, bad! You MUST do this.
2. There are a couple of plot lines that are never resolved. I'm not going to divulge them here, as they would be spoilers, but that irritates me. Why bother bringing them into the story and then forget them?
Finally, I have read some of the reviews that are horrified by the "secret" contained in the Chronicle. Ummm, here's the thing (and again, I'm not going to spoil it, so I'll talk around it): Not the first time it's been brought up. If you do any sort of research on the subject of Jesus and what his life was like for the 33 years before he died on the cross, you would know that scholars from all religious backgrounds agree that there is probably more to Jesus' life that was written in the Bible. Which, btw, was written by men. Hundreds of years after the events happened. What did you have for dinner last Wednesday? Yes, that is my point.
History is always written by the winners.
Some favorite moments from the book:
*Since the earliest days of Christianity our order has been witness to a female tradition of spirituality that men of the church have suppressed and replaced with doctrines that refashioned God and religion in their own image.
*These man-made doctrines swept all before them, drowning out the voice of women, indeed the voice of reason and experience. Resistance became heresy, regardless of truth. Deaconnesses, so active in the early church, saw their authority curtailed, then extinguished. Before long, men of the church were debating whether women, like animals, were incapable of having souls.
*If anything, it confirmed Mother's secret conviction that the world had enough trouble without insisting all worship God the same way. There was room before the Throne for everyone who served Him - Baptists and Hindus, Seventh Day Adventists, Muslims and Jews, as well as Catholics.
*Men and women of the church see chastity differently. Men give it an unnecessary spiritual significance and use it as a tool to control women.
*We have much in common, whether Jew, Muslim, or Christian, only God can judge among us. And yet the church sows dissension and bloodshed.
Loved it and am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Highly recommend.
July 8, 2013
I liked it well enough. It was a good story that caught my attention and more-or-less kept me engaged. I love Art History and its a common fantasy of mine to be able to major in it and find a job in some quaint little Italian town running a small art or history museum. The Renaissance is one of my favorite eras of both Art History and just general history, as is the shift from the Renaissance to the Age of Enlightenment, so this book was certainly up my alley.
There were a few instances that required suspending disbelief a bit too far and a fair amount of small, nit-picky historical inaccuracies, but for a historical fiction/historical romance book it's quite good. Great even. I've come to expect nothing but disappointment and annoyance in this genre and there wasn't any disappointment and just a tiny bit of annoyance here and there. Many of the little plot lines and stories were very interesting and the author certainly did a good job painting a picture of these worlds.
The things that bothered me the most was that in the middle of the book it's quite easy to get the girls confused. I nearly had to make a note in it with their names, ages, basic looks and any important notes about them just to remember who was who. It did get easier to tell once we got to the story being from the girls' perspective instead of the Sister's.
The other thing that bothered me [Small SPOILER ahead. I haven't yet learned how to hide them] was the depiction of a girl being violently kidnapped and forced to marry someone she'd only met once before. It was painted in a romantic light and the kidnapped girl becomes blissfully happy and has all she could ever desire.
I'm not too happy with the way this little plot was treated so blasé and even as a positive.
All-in-all, though, it was a good book and I had trouble putting it down. It's definitely worth the read despite its few flaws.
There were a few instances that required suspending disbelief a bit too far and a fair amount of small, nit-picky historical inaccuracies, but for a historical fiction/historical romance book it's quite good. Great even. I've come to expect nothing but disappointment and annoyance in this genre and there wasn't any disappointment and just a tiny bit of annoyance here and there. Many of the little plot lines and stories were very interesting and the author certainly did a good job painting a picture of these worlds.
The things that bothered me the most was that in the middle of the book it's quite easy to get the girls confused. I nearly had to make a note in it with their names, ages, basic looks and any important notes about them just to remember who was who. It did get easier to tell once we got to the story being from the girls' perspective instead of the Sister's.
The other thing that bothered me [Small SPOILER ahead. I haven't yet learned how to hide them] was the depiction of a girl being violently kidnapped and forced to marry someone she'd only met once before. It was painted in a romantic light and the kidnapped girl becomes blissfully happy and has all she could ever desire.
I'm not too happy with the way this little plot was treated so blasé and even as a positive.
All-in-all, though, it was a good book and I had trouble putting it down. It's definitely worth the read despite its few flaws.
July 26, 2013
I really wanted to read this book when it first came out, and as I started to get into the story, I connected with the character of Menina Walker. Bryan does a good job of hooking you into the story and once Menina is raped, you really start to care about this character. When she flees her ex-fiance and goes on a trip to Spain, then gets suddenly left behind by her group, robbed, and dumped on the doorstep of a convent, the reader really wants to know what will happen next. The problem is that from here on there is a ton of rambling backstory about the origins of the convent, the nuns involved, and a mysterious book and medal that Menina owns. All somehow connected to a dead painter and a huge religious secret.
The book is trying a bit too much to be the female version of "The Da Vinci Code," and it doesn't do a good job of it. The big secret behind the convent turns out to be rather ho-hum, and there are way too many chapters devoted to stories other than Menina's. You almost forget about her until the end of the book.
Bryan can write wonderful descriptive passages, but her dialogue is stale and all the characters sound the same.
It was an OK read, but rather disappointing.
The book is trying a bit too much to be the female version of "The Da Vinci Code," and it doesn't do a good job of it. The big secret behind the convent turns out to be rather ho-hum, and there are way too many chapters devoted to stories other than Menina's. You almost forget about her until the end of the book.
Bryan can write wonderful descriptive passages, but her dialogue is stale and all the characters sound the same.
It was an OK read, but rather disappointing.
October 22, 2015
I love historical fiction, so really enjoyed this book.
There are two parallel stories being described here.
First the life of Menina Walker, adopted by an American family from a convent in South America after she had been rescued from a hurricane. She left that convent with a journal and a talisman that the SA convent had been keeping since the 1500's.
Paralleled with that is the story of a convent in Spain and what happened there during the Inquisition. The journal and the talisman had originated there.
Menina goes to Spain and, because of certain unfortunate occurrences, ends up in the Spanish convent where the journal and talisman originated.
Some people might not like the book, because the coincidence might seem contrived, but I found the story engaging and original.
Learned something about the Inquisition too. Also, I have just finished a travelogue by Maugham describing his wanderings in Andalusia. The Spanish convent in The Sisterhood is located in Andalusia.
Isn't it ironic? I had a coincidence of my own!!
There are two parallel stories being described here.
First the life of Menina Walker, adopted by an American family from a convent in South America after she had been rescued from a hurricane. She left that convent with a journal and a talisman that the SA convent had been keeping since the 1500's.
Paralleled with that is the story of a convent in Spain and what happened there during the Inquisition. The journal and the talisman had originated there.
Menina goes to Spain and, because of certain unfortunate occurrences, ends up in the Spanish convent where the journal and talisman originated.
Some people might not like the book, because the coincidence might seem contrived, but I found the story engaging and original.
Learned something about the Inquisition too. Also, I have just finished a travelogue by Maugham describing his wanderings in Andalusia. The Spanish convent in The Sisterhood is located in Andalusia.
Isn't it ironic? I had a coincidence of my own!!
May 3, 2013
3.5 Spain and the expulsion of the Moors, Catholicism and the inquisition, these were very dangerous times, not only in Spain but in other countries as well. Even convents and monasteries were not safe from the long reach and the power that the church wielded. Everyone and anyone was suspect, friends and neighbors reported on each other, and the sentence was death by fire. The authors strength definitely lie in the historical portion of this novel and consequentially that is the part of liked the best. In modern times, Menina, is rescued from a horrendous storm, the medal she is found with is what ties the future to the past. Menina, however, was not a very interesting character, she is almost like a wooden caricature and so I did not enjoy the modern day part of this book as much. So read it for the history, to learn about the power and might of the early church and the consequences of the Moors banishment from Spain.
October 7, 2014
This book can best be described as an epic historical mystery spanning from the 16th century to the present day. As the product description says, it tells the story of five girls who are taken in by the nuns in Spain and hidden from the Spanish Inquisition. They are then sent to the New World, entrusted with the Order's most treasured possessions to ensure their safety.
I particularly enjoyed the parts of the story in Spain and South America. I was totally lost in the tale, which is rich in detail about the way of life in the convents. In Spain we see them carrying on with their work with the ever present fear of the Inquisition. In South America we see them landing in a strange country, settling down amongst the native Incas and forging a place for themselves and their faith alongside the Inca priests.
I also enjoyed the individual stories of the girls - their backgrounds and how they came to arrive at the convent and what happened to them. Not all of them took Orders and some indeed went on to marry and have families of their own. There are a number of these background stories about the girls, which are all really good, fascinating reads but it could get a bit confusing at times trying to remember what had happened to each girl.
I was not quite so taken with the part of the story set in the present day and Menina. I just didn't quite warm to her, mainly because she just seemed to be "too good to be true". She was supposedly extremely intelligent, but even though the connections between her and the nuns in the story were staring her in the face, she seemed to take an age to start putting two and two together. The plot in this section of the story also seemed to rely a bit too much on "strange coincidences" and the last couple of chapters which rounded off the story and drew all the plot threads together just felt a bit too rushed. When the Order's big secret is finally revealed it makes interesting reading, if a little far fetched. That having been said, it is still a book that is well worth reading.
I particularly enjoyed the parts of the story in Spain and South America. I was totally lost in the tale, which is rich in detail about the way of life in the convents. In Spain we see them carrying on with their work with the ever present fear of the Inquisition. In South America we see them landing in a strange country, settling down amongst the native Incas and forging a place for themselves and their faith alongside the Inca priests.
I also enjoyed the individual stories of the girls - their backgrounds and how they came to arrive at the convent and what happened to them. Not all of them took Orders and some indeed went on to marry and have families of their own. There are a number of these background stories about the girls, which are all really good, fascinating reads but it could get a bit confusing at times trying to remember what had happened to each girl.
I was not quite so taken with the part of the story set in the present day and Menina. I just didn't quite warm to her, mainly because she just seemed to be "too good to be true". She was supposedly extremely intelligent, but even though the connections between her and the nuns in the story were staring her in the face, she seemed to take an age to start putting two and two together. The plot in this section of the story also seemed to rely a bit too much on "strange coincidences" and the last couple of chapters which rounded off the story and drew all the plot threads together just felt a bit too rushed. When the Order's big secret is finally revealed it makes interesting reading, if a little far fetched. That having been said, it is still a book that is well worth reading.
couldn-t-finish
March 28, 2015I tried. I really tried but in the end I had to quit torturing myself. The beginning was interesting and I thought this is going to be good but when we got to know the saved child who of course was perfect (burp) and had perfect parents and lived a perfect life.
Then it became even more ridiculous and it felt like I was reading a teen romance novel but a bad one and gave up.
Have read quite a lot of books that I was not able to finish and this is one of them.
I think I am going to delete War Brides of this same author from my kindle.
Then it became even more ridiculous and it felt like I was reading a teen romance novel but a bad one and gave up.
Have read quite a lot of books that I was not able to finish and this is one of them.
I think I am going to delete War Brides of this same author from my kindle.
May 18, 2013
Was hoping this would be similar to my favorite, The Eight. Sorry, no underline available.
It had it's possibilities,and it's moments, but just didn't produce. I was reading along, and enjoying the ride, and anticipating the reveal, then boom...it was like I had picked up a different book that had been written by a fledgling student. There was no mystery, no weaving of the characters. It read like a newspaper report. Short, staccato, and lacking. Leaving it out entirely would have had more appeal to me. No help from the editor on that section? Then it's just "that's a wrap" and by the way "it's happy ending time". I love happy endings, so "thank you", but it just left me wanting? I do hope Helen Bryan isn't such a man-hater as this book might suggest.
It had it's possibilities,and it's moments, but just didn't produce. I was reading along, and enjoying the ride, and anticipating the reveal, then boom...it was like I had picked up a different book that had been written by a fledgling student. There was no mystery, no weaving of the characters. It read like a newspaper report. Short, staccato, and lacking. Leaving it out entirely would have had more appeal to me. No help from the editor on that section? Then it's just "that's a wrap" and by the way "it's happy ending time". I love happy endings, so "thank you", but it just left me wanting? I do hope Helen Bryan isn't such a man-hater as this book might suggest.
May 28, 2013
I'd like to give this novel more stars because the premise was great and I really enjoyed a lot of it. As most of the other reviews have said, the ending is where it falls short - almost like the author got tired of writing or couldn't figure out how else to wrap it up. I appreciated the different characters' stories and the ways they connected, but in some ways there were places where I felt so moralized to that I was ready to skip ahead. I'd definitely read the author's next attempt, though, because the writing was lovely and descriptive when it was working.
September 18, 2017
Overall, this is an enjoyable read which features multiple point of views. It is perhaps due to this style, that I first found this novel difficult to get to grips with. I struggled with keeping track of the different story lines of the characters, especially as they occur during different time periods. However, when I reached the half-way point (I don't ever give up on a book easily), I found that I better understood the novel's intentions and started to really enjoy it.
The historical and cultural details of The Sisterhood are beautifully interwoven into the fiction, providing an intensely complex context for the novel. This complexity only benefits the plot and character development and in no way hinders or becomes tiresome. The novel is also imbued with the tribulations of various women throughout history and focuses heavily on the empowerment of women. I thoroughly enjoyed the differing perspectives of religion throughout the novel, adding yet another layer of context to be considered. This novel would appeal to those who are interested in historical fiction, religious and cultural aspects, and/or the importance of women throughout history.
The historical and cultural details of The Sisterhood are beautifully interwoven into the fiction, providing an intensely complex context for the novel. This complexity only benefits the plot and character development and in no way hinders or becomes tiresome. The novel is also imbued with the tribulations of various women throughout history and focuses heavily on the empowerment of women. I thoroughly enjoyed the differing perspectives of religion throughout the novel, adding yet another layer of context to be considered. This novel would appeal to those who are interested in historical fiction, religious and cultural aspects, and/or the importance of women throughout history.
February 9, 2019
Hier wäre weniger eindeutig mehr gewesen. Am Ende waren es so viele Figuren, Erzählstränge und Geschichten in der Geschichte, so dass man kaum noch folgen konnte.
July 12, 2013
This book has some very engaging portions but, in general, it is very sloppy. Menina is a young woman of 19 who lives a peaches and cream life. Adopted from South America by a young Southern Baptist couple, Menina lives a happy, uneventful life. She is academically bright and is heading off to college to major in Art History. In the meantime she has just snagged the son of one of the wealthiest, most influential families in town. Things are going just right until she realizes Mr. Right is actually a creep. Her future up in the air, she decides to head off to Spain in search of paintings by some obscure artist, Tristan Mendoza. Here her adventures and mishaps begin.
Helen Bryan sets her story in the past and the present--16th and 21st century Spain. The flashback portions are very engaging, it seems she has done quite a deal of research on the historical aspects of the Spanish Inquisition and role of women in the 16th century. The treatment of non-Christians in Spain is horrifying, as were the women of that country. I found myself enjoying those chapters much better than the present day Menina, whom I found dull, obnoxious and immature. Nothing really happens with her and Menina's storyline is slow. There are huge plot holes, the story is superficial and unoriginal. It was a mediocre version of a Da Vinci Code-type story. Menina is in danger but we are never find out who wants to do her harm. It is an angle that the author begins and then just ignores.
I found the story unrealistic and unbelievable. How does a modern, 21st century young woman of 19 live like she came from the 1950's? She wants to be independent but never really gets there. The man whom she is supposed to love is as dull as she is and also thrust into more unbelievable situations. Our author never takes the time to flesh out Menina or her love interest. One minute they are at each other's throats and the next, they're in love? It seems she put more effort into the 16th century story arc and hastily puts together the 21st. Menina's origins are never explained nor how she has come to possess a 500 year-old necklace and chronicle of an ancient convent that claims to hold the secrets of Christ. This novel had potential but the author doesn't seem to know in which direction to take it. It's sloppy and superficial and, frankly, I am tired of authors writing to pay the bills, attempting something that has already been done and with far better results.
Helen Bryan sets her story in the past and the present--16th and 21st century Spain. The flashback portions are very engaging, it seems she has done quite a deal of research on the historical aspects of the Spanish Inquisition and role of women in the 16th century. The treatment of non-Christians in Spain is horrifying, as were the women of that country. I found myself enjoying those chapters much better than the present day Menina, whom I found dull, obnoxious and immature. Nothing really happens with her and Menina's storyline is slow. There are huge plot holes, the story is superficial and unoriginal. It was a mediocre version of a Da Vinci Code-type story. Menina is in danger but we are never find out who wants to do her harm. It is an angle that the author begins and then just ignores.
I found the story unrealistic and unbelievable. How does a modern, 21st century young woman of 19 live like she came from the 1950's? She wants to be independent but never really gets there. The man whom she is supposed to love is as dull as she is and also thrust into more unbelievable situations. Our author never takes the time to flesh out Menina or her love interest. One minute they are at each other's throats and the next, they're in love? It seems she put more effort into the 16th century story arc and hastily puts together the 21st. Menina's origins are never explained nor how she has come to possess a 500 year-old necklace and chronicle of an ancient convent that claims to hold the secrets of Christ. This novel had potential but the author doesn't seem to know in which direction to take it. It's sloppy and superficial and, frankly, I am tired of authors writing to pay the bills, attempting something that has already been done and with far better results.
January 30, 2018
Dull and long.
I would of never chosen this book to read on my own, but it was my book club's February pick, so I spent my Sunday reading/skimming as if it were a homework assignment.
Menina was found shipwrecked when she was 2 years ago. All that was with her was a medallion around her neck. Menina got adopted and went to go live in America with her adoptive parents. After a not so good breakup with her fiance, she left to go to Spain and do some research about a painter that has the same image as what is on her medallion.
Menina is dull and doesn't sound like any 19 year old that I have ever met. She makes dumb decisions, but somehow it always works out for her. Of course it does.
There is also a back story of 5 women who started in Spain that needed to flew the country. It was way too long for my taste and I found that there was hardly any transition. Person A would meet Person B, and then all of a sudden it would start talking about Person B's story. I got confused a number of times, trying to figure out who's story I was reading.
In both current day and olden day, there was so many unbelievable moments that I couldn't agree with.
At the end of the day, based on the description, this book wasn't meant for me and unfortunately after reading the book, it didn't change my mind.
I would of never chosen this book to read on my own, but it was my book club's February pick, so I spent my Sunday reading/skimming as if it were a homework assignment.
Menina was found shipwrecked when she was 2 years ago. All that was with her was a medallion around her neck. Menina got adopted and went to go live in America with her adoptive parents. After a not so good breakup with her fiance, she left to go to Spain and do some research about a painter that has the same image as what is on her medallion.
Menina is dull and doesn't sound like any 19 year old that I have ever met. She makes dumb decisions, but somehow it always works out for her. Of course it does.
There is also a back story of 5 women who started in Spain that needed to flew the country. It was way too long for my taste and I found that there was hardly any transition. Person A would meet Person B, and then all of a sudden it would start talking about Person B's story. I got confused a number of times, trying to figure out who's story I was reading.
In both current day and olden day, there was so many unbelievable moments that I couldn't agree with.
At the end of the day, based on the description, this book wasn't meant for me and unfortunately after reading the book, it didn't change my mind.
January 20, 2018
I didn't enjoy this book at all. Too many rambling stories and a multitude of names. Too much back and forth in the timeline with the modern heroine improbable and unbelievable. It had glimpses of National Treasure- a big secret to be revealed when all the 'facts' and artifacts were put together by the modern heroine. Sadly, a lackluster finish to many long, drawn out short stories. I read the entire book in five very long days on my vacation but certainly would have put this book down before the first chapter ended if it had not been for my book club.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2013
This book is one of those thoroughly unexpected treats that should not be ignored! It was suggested, and provided to me, by the publicist who thought it might be a book that I would enjoy. I have to admit to being skeptical. How could someone that I don't know at all possibly know what I might like or not? What a shock! She nailed me and my interests perfectly, and I am so happy that she did!
This is a book that deserves a lot more attention that it has, perhaps, received. The author, Helen Bryan, is a barrister, and she is the author of another best selling book, "The War Brides". Perhaps it is her background in the law that facilitates her ability to blend time and space flawlessly and logically. The prose is so well done, and the flow of the book is perfectly paced. It's engrossing!
It's a book that will stay with you. Once I finally opened it I could scarcely put it down. I looked forward to getting up in the morning to read a bit more, and then more at night. Yes, it really is that good.
I suppose one of the things that I really like about this book is that the story straddles two different times in history; the modern day and 16th century Spain during the throes of the Inquisition. Sometimes when authors write books like this, that span different time periods, there seems to be a slight catch or hitch as the book flows from from time period to time period. There is none of that little hesitance in this book, however. The chapters, and time periods, flow seamlessly from one to another and back again, and it all makes perfect sense as you read it too.
The story begins with the modern day and South American orphan girl who is adopted from a South American Convent. The only memories of her birth family are a curious medal and an ancient chronical (written in both Latin and vernacular Spanish). These artifacts are given to the American Southern Baptist adoptive parent with the understanding that, upon her sixteenth birthday, the girl, Menina, would be presented with these mementos of her beginnings in life.
From the present you are sped to Spain in the 16th century. To a convent and to the lives of five orphans who were secreted to the sanctuary of a convent where all women and orphans were accepted regardless of past sins or religious upbringing. The names of these hapless orphan girls are Esperanza, who is 16 years old and whose parents are Muslims. Luz, a dwarf, who is also an heiress, but is not able to speak. Marisol, 14, incorrectly believed to be the misbegotten daughter of a Courtesan and the mad royal prince. Pia, a child of Scandinavian descent whose hair glows like the moon and whose beauty is difficult to ignore, but her mother is a courtesan. Last there is Sanchia, the daughter of Jews who barely escapes the burning that claimed the lives of her parents.
Eventually, as the Inquisition spreads, these children are sent on a journey to the new world in South America. They are sent away in order to protect them because the Inquisitor's are expected at the convent gates at any time, and the sisters do not want their various histories to be discovered lest the be taken by the Inquisitor's and tortured. They are sent with both the chronicle and the medal in the hopes that they will found a new convent dedicated to the healing arts and acceptance of all women no matter their religious beliefs or color. It is also hoped that they may find men to marry and will be able to carry on the mission of the convent.
Swallows, which are so plentiful in Spain, are the symbol that is used to mark both the old convent and the new; they also mark the cover of the chronicle and the medal. The journey takes so many unexpected turns. No one at the main convent knows what became of the orphans nor do the orphans know what happened when the Inquisition came knocking.
Back in the present time, after braking off her engagement to a local political maven's son, Menina , decides to travels to Spain; both to heal her broken heart as well as to do research for a thesis on the artist Tristan Mendoza. Menina now suspects that her ex-finacee wanted to marry her only for the Hispanic voters that she might bring to the political relationship. She wants to escape also from the forced, premarital rape that left her bereft of her future and split her exceedingly 'safe' life apart at the seams.
After an unexpected, severe, storm leaves Menina stranded in a mountainous village just after her arrival in Spain, does her life begin to find renewed meaning, albeit not willingly at first. Due to the storm's effects the phones in the village are not functioning and preclude her trying to contact her parents or the tour director who she was supposed to meet up with in Madrid. The local police officer at first thinks that Menina is a prostitute that has come to the town to join in a yearly celebration. Menina is taken to the mountainous convent where she will find safety and a place to stay until needed repairs are made to the telephone system and allow Menina to leave the village.
At this point the story, along with Menina, blossom with kismet, and the telling of the tale is beautifully done! The separation between past and present becomes a thin veil as Menina uncovers some long lost paintings by the artist, Tristan Mendoza, who she is studying and whose only known works were thought to be found in the Prado Museum in Madrid.
This is how these two diverse stories begin, but the telling is what is entrancing and is what will hold your attention from the first page to the last. I was sorry to have this book end, and I don't too often feel that way no matter how good a book may be.
Some of the publication that was sent to me with the book was particularly interesting and contained some comments by the author about her work.
One of the questions concerned what lasting impression she hoped that the book would leave readers with. Part of her reply included ".. the book is set in two periods of tension, hostility and mistrust between Jews, Christians and Muslims, four hundred years apart but with many parallels..." This is a really relevant comment, but you will simply have to read this gem of a book for yourself to understand what the parallels are!
Read this book! I cannot help but think that you will not regret it. The book should have wide appeal for historical history fans as well as for readers of wonderfully written general fiction.
This is a book that deserves a lot more attention that it has, perhaps, received. The author, Helen Bryan, is a barrister, and she is the author of another best selling book, "The War Brides". Perhaps it is her background in the law that facilitates her ability to blend time and space flawlessly and logically. The prose is so well done, and the flow of the book is perfectly paced. It's engrossing!
It's a book that will stay with you. Once I finally opened it I could scarcely put it down. I looked forward to getting up in the morning to read a bit more, and then more at night. Yes, it really is that good.
I suppose one of the things that I really like about this book is that the story straddles two different times in history; the modern day and 16th century Spain during the throes of the Inquisition. Sometimes when authors write books like this, that span different time periods, there seems to be a slight catch or hitch as the book flows from from time period to time period. There is none of that little hesitance in this book, however. The chapters, and time periods, flow seamlessly from one to another and back again, and it all makes perfect sense as you read it too.
The story begins with the modern day and South American orphan girl who is adopted from a South American Convent. The only memories of her birth family are a curious medal and an ancient chronical (written in both Latin and vernacular Spanish). These artifacts are given to the American Southern Baptist adoptive parent with the understanding that, upon her sixteenth birthday, the girl, Menina, would be presented with these mementos of her beginnings in life.
From the present you are sped to Spain in the 16th century. To a convent and to the lives of five orphans who were secreted to the sanctuary of a convent where all women and orphans were accepted regardless of past sins or religious upbringing. The names of these hapless orphan girls are Esperanza, who is 16 years old and whose parents are Muslims. Luz, a dwarf, who is also an heiress, but is not able to speak. Marisol, 14, incorrectly believed to be the misbegotten daughter of a Courtesan and the mad royal prince. Pia, a child of Scandinavian descent whose hair glows like the moon and whose beauty is difficult to ignore, but her mother is a courtesan. Last there is Sanchia, the daughter of Jews who barely escapes the burning that claimed the lives of her parents.
Eventually, as the Inquisition spreads, these children are sent on a journey to the new world in South America. They are sent away in order to protect them because the Inquisitor's are expected at the convent gates at any time, and the sisters do not want their various histories to be discovered lest the be taken by the Inquisitor's and tortured. They are sent with both the chronicle and the medal in the hopes that they will found a new convent dedicated to the healing arts and acceptance of all women no matter their religious beliefs or color. It is also hoped that they may find men to marry and will be able to carry on the mission of the convent.
Swallows, which are so plentiful in Spain, are the symbol that is used to mark both the old convent and the new; they also mark the cover of the chronicle and the medal. The journey takes so many unexpected turns. No one at the main convent knows what became of the orphans nor do the orphans know what happened when the Inquisition came knocking.
Back in the present time, after braking off her engagement to a local political maven's son, Menina , decides to travels to Spain; both to heal her broken heart as well as to do research for a thesis on the artist Tristan Mendoza. Menina now suspects that her ex-finacee wanted to marry her only for the Hispanic voters that she might bring to the political relationship. She wants to escape also from the forced, premarital rape that left her bereft of her future and split her exceedingly 'safe' life apart at the seams.
After an unexpected, severe, storm leaves Menina stranded in a mountainous village just after her arrival in Spain, does her life begin to find renewed meaning, albeit not willingly at first. Due to the storm's effects the phones in the village are not functioning and preclude her trying to contact her parents or the tour director who she was supposed to meet up with in Madrid. The local police officer at first thinks that Menina is a prostitute that has come to the town to join in a yearly celebration. Menina is taken to the mountainous convent where she will find safety and a place to stay until needed repairs are made to the telephone system and allow Menina to leave the village.
At this point the story, along with Menina, blossom with kismet, and the telling of the tale is beautifully done! The separation between past and present becomes a thin veil as Menina uncovers some long lost paintings by the artist, Tristan Mendoza, who she is studying and whose only known works were thought to be found in the Prado Museum in Madrid.
This is how these two diverse stories begin, but the telling is what is entrancing and is what will hold your attention from the first page to the last. I was sorry to have this book end, and I don't too often feel that way no matter how good a book may be.
Some of the publication that was sent to me with the book was particularly interesting and contained some comments by the author about her work.
One of the questions concerned what lasting impression she hoped that the book would leave readers with. Part of her reply included ".. the book is set in two periods of tension, hostility and mistrust between Jews, Christians and Muslims, four hundred years apart but with many parallels..." This is a really relevant comment, but you will simply have to read this gem of a book for yourself to understand what the parallels are!
Read this book! I cannot help but think that you will not regret it. The book should have wide appeal for historical history fans as well as for readers of wonderfully written general fiction.
March 14, 2025
All plot, 0 vibes
I SO badly wanted to like this book because its premise - a woman piecing together the mystery of 16th century Andalucían nuns - is so interesting. However it was so poorly executed and the prose was weak in so many ways: clunky dialogue; a heavy reliance on Spanish and Latam stereotypes; misuse and mispelling of Spanish historical terminology; no variation in tone and style between the modern and historical narrators; failure to develop any of the characters or hit any emotional depth despite the slurry of traumatic events described.
It was so frustrating to see such an interesting, nuanced and under-explored period of history get butchered and warped for the sake of a cheesy ending and an attempt to shoehorn in a dose of 2010 girlboss feminism.
I SO badly wanted to like this book because its premise - a woman piecing together the mystery of 16th century Andalucían nuns - is so interesting. However it was so poorly executed and the prose was weak in so many ways: clunky dialogue; a heavy reliance on Spanish and Latam stereotypes; misuse and mispelling of Spanish historical terminology; no variation in tone and style between the modern and historical narrators; failure to develop any of the characters or hit any emotional depth despite the slurry of traumatic events described.
It was so frustrating to see such an interesting, nuanced and under-explored period of history get butchered and warped for the sake of a cheesy ending and an attempt to shoehorn in a dose of 2010 girlboss feminism.
June 6, 2013
Finish Time: 6-7 days. This book was unlike any I have read in awhile. I looked back and I guess it is considered historical fiction, could maybe even be historical mystery. Without doing too much research, I’m going to assume that means just some of the major historical events and geography of the time. I do know that I am grateful that I was not a woman in Europe in the 1500′s. Wow – some of the stories of the girls/women in this book are terrible, awful, and I would like to believe they are fiction.
The book jumps back and forth between modern time (the year 2000) following the story of Menina, a 19-year old living in the US. She was adopted as a child and the orphanage that took her in said she came with a mysterious medal and book that were to be given to her on her 16th birthday. As she comes of age and starts questioning her past, she plans a trip to try and find the meaning of the medal, book, and more about her past. The other part of the book takes place in the 1500′s in Spain and Spanish America and is written account (journal/log) of the sisters of a convent (thus the Sisterhood!). There is a lot of detail about the Inquisition and the Moors and religious freedom (or lack thereof) during the time period (which I’m guessing, again without research, is the true historical part!)
I almost wanted to start making a list or tree to keep track of all the characters that were introduced throughout the historical part of the book. It was very clear at the beginning of each chapter who the narrator was and where they were, but putting it down and picking it back up night after night, I was a little confused. Who knows – that may just be me. That did not take away from the story at all and I kept coming back night after night! Towards the end – it was almost reminiscent of The DaVinci Code as more information was discovered or rather uncovered about an “alternative” or expanded story not included in the Bible. Fictional – but still gets you thinking – what if (in Christian history)?
Overall though, it was a very good story, as I mentioned before, unlike anything I have ever read before. I was anxious to pick it up each day and a little sad to see it end. More challenging that other books of recent and left me thinking, and I would definitely recommend! (So glad to say that finally with certainty!)
The book jumps back and forth between modern time (the year 2000) following the story of Menina, a 19-year old living in the US. She was adopted as a child and the orphanage that took her in said she came with a mysterious medal and book that were to be given to her on her 16th birthday. As she comes of age and starts questioning her past, she plans a trip to try and find the meaning of the medal, book, and more about her past. The other part of the book takes place in the 1500′s in Spain and Spanish America and is written account (journal/log) of the sisters of a convent (thus the Sisterhood!). There is a lot of detail about the Inquisition and the Moors and religious freedom (or lack thereof) during the time period (which I’m guessing, again without research, is the true historical part!)
I almost wanted to start making a list or tree to keep track of all the characters that were introduced throughout the historical part of the book. It was very clear at the beginning of each chapter who the narrator was and where they were, but putting it down and picking it back up night after night, I was a little confused. Who knows – that may just be me. That did not take away from the story at all and I kept coming back night after night! Towards the end – it was almost reminiscent of The DaVinci Code as more information was discovered or rather uncovered about an “alternative” or expanded story not included in the Bible. Fictional – but still gets you thinking – what if (in Christian history)?
Overall though, it was a very good story, as I mentioned before, unlike anything I have ever read before. I was anxious to pick it up each day and a little sad to see it end. More challenging that other books of recent and left me thinking, and I would definitely recommend! (So glad to say that finally with certainty!)
September 9, 2016
This is my second Helen Bryan novel and after finding the previous books ending a bit wanting, I still actually surprised to find the same issue with this book. So just a minor warning, this author writes superbly researched and well defined characters but the endings tend to be wanting. I still fully enjoyed the experience and I guess it helps that I got the book for free on Amazon Prime so maybe that adds to the forgiveness level.
A note to conservative Christians, this book is intensely Catholic and takes some extreme liberties in the origins of our faith - but it's done in an attempt to bring unity among Catholics, Muslims and Jews.
The book takes place in two time periods - present day and flash backs to the inquisition which as I'm sure you know was a terrible time for anyone who wasn't Catholic. So this book is about a group of nuns who create a sanctuary for women of any faith. I actually thought the concept was really beautiful and sweet so bypassing the bit of creative interpretation on the origins of our faith and you can find a lovely story of unity which our world so sorely needs still to this day.
A note to conservative Christians, this book is intensely Catholic and takes some extreme liberties in the origins of our faith - but it's done in an attempt to bring unity among Catholics, Muslims and Jews.
The book takes place in two time periods - present day and flash backs to the inquisition which as I'm sure you know was a terrible time for anyone who wasn't Catholic. So this book is about a group of nuns who create a sanctuary for women of any faith. I actually thought the concept was really beautiful and sweet so bypassing the bit of creative interpretation on the origins of our faith and you can find a lovely story of unity which our world so sorely needs still to this day.
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