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Royal Monastic: Princess Ileana of Romania
The life of a princess isn't all glamor, handsome princes, and beautiful clothes. It's also devotion to duty, sacrifice for your people, and a lot of just plain hard work. And if your country happens to suffer two world wars and a communist takeover in your lifetime, it means danger and suffering, exile and heartache. Princess Ileana of Romania endured all this and more. But her deeply rooted Orthodox faith saw her through it all, and eventually led her in her later years to the peaceful repose of monasticism. But that life included sacrifice and hard work as well, because as Mother Alexandra she was called to build the first English-language Orthodox women s monastery in the United States the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania. Princess Ileana's story is a thrilling tale of love and loss, danger and rescue, sacrifice and reward. Her inspiring life stands as a beacon of faith and holiness for young women of all times and nations to follow.
200 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2008
9 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Bev Cooke
7 books32 followersBorn in the last century, lived in Canada all my life, moved to the west coast when I was in my twenties, married with two grown kids, a husband, two cats and a garden.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 26, 2023
Fascinating life and worthwhile read.
July 24, 2020
Some biographies are deep, exhaustive, and richly researched. They are a literal intellectual feast of citations including correspondence, interviews, and historical narratives to hold up the writing. Some biographies are appetizers; a light bite there to whet your appetite and make you want to learn more about the subject. Royal Monastic is an appetizer of a biography. That is not a bad thing, but it was not what I was expecting. Bev Cook, the author did intimately know her subject and provided a lot of information about Princess Ileana’s life for me to have a grasp of who she was and some of what made her who she was. I was still left feeling rather “more-ish.”
That being said, I enjoyed the “Imagine This” slice-of-life scenarios that were sprinkled throughout the book. They were engaging and invite the reader to take part in building the picture Cook was trying to tell. There were some of the imagined conversations that I wasn’t sure about but that is just me.
Narration: Good narration. Sometimes the reader was a bit too “wide-eyed ingenue” for me but she told a good story, although since it is a biography, not a work of fiction based on real life, I feel some of the emotion was a bit overdone. It got sticky sweet at times which threw me off.
All in all I give 4 for content and 3 for narration.
3.5 stars
Full Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to do this, AFP!
That being said, I enjoyed the “Imagine This” slice-of-life scenarios that were sprinkled throughout the book. They were engaging and invite the reader to take part in building the picture Cook was trying to tell. There were some of the imagined conversations that I wasn’t sure about but that is just me.
Narration: Good narration. Sometimes the reader was a bit too “wide-eyed ingenue” for me but she told a good story, although since it is a biography, not a work of fiction based on real life, I feel some of the emotion was a bit overdone. It got sticky sweet at times which threw me off.
All in all I give 4 for content and 3 for narration.
3.5 stars
Full Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to do this, AFP!
July 22, 2020
Any woman seeking advice on how to live a life pleasing to the Lord should read this book and be counseled by the life of this humble Romanian princess. Every chapter perfectly demonstrates the living out of the fruit of the spirit. Reading of the suffering of this gentle soul, and seeing how she truly lived as Jesus lived, a life of meek, loving servitude to her people, has certainly strengthened the hunger in my soul to draw closer to the Lord. The bible verses and sayings of the saints were very well suited, and beautiful. So often, books of the lives of the Saints are only about men, which isn’t a problem, it is inspiring to read of God serving men. But I am thankful for the example of princess Ileana, so that we women may also learn how to be pleasing to the Lord. Loyal daughter, forgiving Sister, devoted mother, just princess, tender nurse, obedient Nun, wise Abbess……… Ileana illustrates wonderfully what we Orthodox should strive, and can hope, to become, through the unfailing love of God and the prayers of the Saints. This book, although not in the slightest preachy, is beautiful in that it lets the life of Mother Alexandra speak for itself, teaching us through the example of her humble servitude. She epitomizes what a monarch ought to be, devoting her entire life to the service of the needy, loving the Lord God above all, loving her people selflessly, and, later on, despite her despair, sharing the same generosity with the American people, and helping to pave the way for the spread of Orthodoxy in North America. The author strikes a healthy balance between the precise words Left by the princess, and the necessary rendering of experiences, thoughts, and feelings we ourselves can only imagine. This book can be read and appreciated by all ages, young and old, a gentle yet guiding light to those who wish to live a Christ like life, being in the world but not of it.
August 7, 2020
I had quite the journey with this audiobook. It is evident throughout that the author has a great love for Princess Ileana who became Mother Alexandra, and has clearly gone through innumerable research sources of interviews, letters, and autobiography. The narrator, too, had clearly put much thought into her performance, using Eastern European pronunciation of names and places. This was greatly appreciated by me, as I likely would have otherwise butchered many beautiful names otherwise! The narrator is also incredibly engaging, and even the parts of the book I struggled with, she had a way of drawing me forward.
I will admit there were some difficult moments for me. Perhaps it is because I am a mother, but the way Princess Ileana is described as a child is, well, hard to believe as real. Even the best, sweetest, most generous children will have times of being tired, cranky, mischievous, and downright disobedient. The idea that Princess Ileana was ALWAYS good, selfless, polite, etc just felt like a work of fiction. The other part I struggled with was the way it appeared she was praised for suppressing her own grief or struggle as she "did her duty" as a princess. As someone who has spent many years in therapy this set off many alarm bells, I don't believe the degree to which Princess Ileana had to bottle herself up and compartmentalize at such a young age is healthy. HOWEVER, once I got beyond those parts I was fascinated by what she experienced, and endured, as she survived World War I, World War II, and the Soviet invasion. For better or worse, the training she had as a child to hide her feelings allowed her to feign compliance with political tyrants so that she could protect her people as best she could. There is no doubt that reading the conditions of those times; food shortages, medical shortages, heating shortages so that they consumed rotten food, had 3 men to a hospital bed, and other horrors put the pains of our current pandemic into a different light. It does not seem quite so hard to stay home, eat boring food, or wear a mask compared to all that!
Most of all though, I had this incredible realization of how close history can seem. When it begins at her birth in 1909 that feels impossibly long ago. The world described feels so foreign it may as well be 1509 or set in a fantasy novel in another realm. And yet, as the dates continued along I realized she was actually alive at the same time as myself, as I was born in 1985 and she reposed in 1991! To think of all the inventions and change she saw, and then for her to bring Orthodox faith with her into America, through all she had seen and been through. To build the first Orthodox women's monastery, and what an immeasurable impact that has had! I finished the book with such a sense of awe and gratitude for Mother Alexandra, which I think is truly the best way to end.
I was supplied a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
I will admit there were some difficult moments for me. Perhaps it is because I am a mother, but the way Princess Ileana is described as a child is, well, hard to believe as real. Even the best, sweetest, most generous children will have times of being tired, cranky, mischievous, and downright disobedient. The idea that Princess Ileana was ALWAYS good, selfless, polite, etc just felt like a work of fiction. The other part I struggled with was the way it appeared she was praised for suppressing her own grief or struggle as she "did her duty" as a princess. As someone who has spent many years in therapy this set off many alarm bells, I don't believe the degree to which Princess Ileana had to bottle herself up and compartmentalize at such a young age is healthy. HOWEVER, once I got beyond those parts I was fascinated by what she experienced, and endured, as she survived World War I, World War II, and the Soviet invasion. For better or worse, the training she had as a child to hide her feelings allowed her to feign compliance with political tyrants so that she could protect her people as best she could. There is no doubt that reading the conditions of those times; food shortages, medical shortages, heating shortages so that they consumed rotten food, had 3 men to a hospital bed, and other horrors put the pains of our current pandemic into a different light. It does not seem quite so hard to stay home, eat boring food, or wear a mask compared to all that!
Most of all though, I had this incredible realization of how close history can seem. When it begins at her birth in 1909 that feels impossibly long ago. The world described feels so foreign it may as well be 1509 or set in a fantasy novel in another realm. And yet, as the dates continued along I realized she was actually alive at the same time as myself, as I was born in 1985 and she reposed in 1991! To think of all the inventions and change she saw, and then for her to bring Orthodox faith with her into America, through all she had seen and been through. To build the first Orthodox women's monastery, and what an immeasurable impact that has had! I finished the book with such a sense of awe and gratitude for Mother Alexandra, which I think is truly the best way to end.
I was supplied a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
November 22, 2022
Very interesting book. I learned a lot about this remarkable woman. The author presents the princess with honesty, not hiding her flaws yet showing great love and admiration for Mother Alexandra.
My only negative comment about the book is I found if annoying the way the author kept repeating the phrase “imagine this.” I know this is a petty criticism and for that, I ask forgiveness for my pettiness.
Great read otherwise!
My only negative comment about the book is I found if annoying the way the author kept repeating the phrase “imagine this.” I know this is a petty criticism and for that, I ask forgiveness for my pettiness.
Great read otherwise!
Read
October 21, 2014An inspiring story of Princess Ileana--her life, her faith, her transition from royal to monastic... Beautifully done...
December 7, 2024
An excellent book. Mother Alexandra's life was inspirational & beautiful. Such a testament of faith,love and charity.
September 1, 2020
This is a short but well-written biography of Mother Alexandra aka Princess Ileana of Romania. It takes us from her birth to her death, with two world wars, a Soviet occupation, and exile in between. Though I had read Mother Alexandra's autobiography earlier this year, it did not cover the years of her exile, so I was grateful to read "the rest of the story".
It was interesting comparing this book with I Live Again: A Memoir of Ileana, Princess of Romania and Archduchess of Austria. I'm struck by Mother Alexandra's tact in that she never mentioned or complained about the various family issues or betrayals that she experienced or even complained about the husband she'd just divorced. I didn't even know about these things until reading this book, which just helped to show her character in that she loved and respected her family enough to not make their dysfunctions the center of her story.
I enjoyed seeing pictures of her life and appreciated the inclusion of timelines to help anchor myself in the history of the book. It's an easy read, simple writing style, and keeps the reader's attention. I would've liked to have more details about Mother Alexandra's later years and to have direct citations of the scenes that were written about her (especially those not found in the autobiography) just so that I could know if the scenes were exact or if artistic license was used. The sources are listed at the end of the book, but I'd have liked them as footnotes (nitpicky, I know. It's not a make or break issue). I also appreciated the glossary to help readers who are unfamiliar with certain cultural or religious terms.
Again, I am just struck by Mother Alexandra's life, honoured that I share a name with her, and renewed in my desire to visit her native Romania and the monastery she founded in my home state of Pennsylvania. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone wishing to learn more about her difficult but inspiring life, especially if you've already read the autobiography and are wondering "what happened next?!".
Mother Alexandra, please intercede for this sinner.
It was interesting comparing this book with I Live Again: A Memoir of Ileana, Princess of Romania and Archduchess of Austria. I'm struck by Mother Alexandra's tact in that she never mentioned or complained about the various family issues or betrayals that she experienced or even complained about the husband she'd just divorced. I didn't even know about these things until reading this book, which just helped to show her character in that she loved and respected her family enough to not make their dysfunctions the center of her story.
I enjoyed seeing pictures of her life and appreciated the inclusion of timelines to help anchor myself in the history of the book. It's an easy read, simple writing style, and keeps the reader's attention. I would've liked to have more details about Mother Alexandra's later years and to have direct citations of the scenes that were written about her (especially those not found in the autobiography) just so that I could know if the scenes were exact or if artistic license was used. The sources are listed at the end of the book, but I'd have liked them as footnotes (nitpicky, I know. It's not a make or break issue). I also appreciated the glossary to help readers who are unfamiliar with certain cultural or religious terms.
Again, I am just struck by Mother Alexandra's life, honoured that I share a name with her, and renewed in my desire to visit her native Romania and the monastery she founded in my home state of Pennsylvania. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone wishing to learn more about her difficult but inspiring life, especially if you've already read the autobiography and are wondering "what happened next?!".
Mother Alexandra, please intercede for this sinner.
December 21, 2017
This is a book about a princess turned nun, written by someone who (from what I understand in the last pages of the book) lived in the monastery she started. Just through that perspective, I suppose it is not unnatural to see the prescient godly touch throughout the book, the somewhat fairytale-like atmosphere created, the continuous emphasis on Ileana's goodness and her fight against the evil forces of this world.
A lot of the people in this book are split in good and bad and, while general perception of her brother Carol (for example) is that he was, indeed, one of "the bad ones", opinions on her mother (in this book an angel-like figure) are less universal (depending mostly on people's stance on whether it's more important for a ruler to be moral or efficient).
----SPOILERS AHEAD----
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Some points that were "glossed over" in the book: "the good man" of Ileana's childhood, prince Barbu Stirbey, was her mother's long term lover and was rumoured to be the father of Ileana and Mircea (her younger brother). Ileana was aware of the rumours, because her brother Carol (a very sensitive soul) told her about them right before he kicked her out of the country. Joe Boyle, also described as a father-like figure, was also rumoured to be involved with Queen Marie.
There are some clumsy mistakes thrown in there - like saying that the Romanian principalities elected Cuza in 1861 and that his rule lasted 2 years. He was elected in 1859 and ruled till 1866. The book also says at some point that Ileana's brother Nicky was 16 in 1917, when it already states that he was born in 1904. These don't affect the general flow or story of the book, but they make it look poorly researched.
My overall opinion: it's a nice book but it's not necessarily an accurate book. I can't judge too much on the accuracy of her past 1940 history, since this is the first biography of Ileana I read, but the issues I mention above to make me wonder if maybe this is just a heavily Ileana-biased biography, rather than a objectively researched and written piece of history.
Read with a grain of salt.
A lot of the people in this book are split in good and bad and, while general perception of her brother Carol (for example) is that he was, indeed, one of "the bad ones", opinions on her mother (in this book an angel-like figure) are less universal (depending mostly on people's stance on whether it's more important for a ruler to be moral or efficient).
----SPOILERS AHEAD----
|
|
|
|
Some points that were "glossed over" in the book: "the good man" of Ileana's childhood, prince Barbu Stirbey, was her mother's long term lover and was rumoured to be the father of Ileana and Mircea (her younger brother). Ileana was aware of the rumours, because her brother Carol (a very sensitive soul) told her about them right before he kicked her out of the country. Joe Boyle, also described as a father-like figure, was also rumoured to be involved with Queen Marie.
There are some clumsy mistakes thrown in there - like saying that the Romanian principalities elected Cuza in 1861 and that his rule lasted 2 years. He was elected in 1859 and ruled till 1866. The book also says at some point that Ileana's brother Nicky was 16 in 1917, when it already states that he was born in 1904. These don't affect the general flow or story of the book, but they make it look poorly researched.
My overall opinion: it's a nice book but it's not necessarily an accurate book. I can't judge too much on the accuracy of her past 1940 history, since this is the first biography of Ileana I read, but the issues I mention above to make me wonder if maybe this is just a heavily Ileana-biased biography, rather than a objectively researched and written piece of history.
Read with a grain of salt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2020
Royal Monastic
Princess Ileana of Romania
A timely message in today’s troubles.
I found the story of Princess Ileana or Mother Alexandra to be very encouraging. In our current social and political climate it can be so stressful. Listening to her life and all that she suffered as a princess caused me to examine my own life. How am I handling trials that come my way? Am I relying on God as did Mother Alexandra?
Her faith was remarkable. The way she was quick to help those around her, the loss she knew, the exile, the betrayal; I can only hope to one day have her faith!
Having lived near the place of the monastery she established and raising children in the city she took her last earthly breaths, I feel a deep connection to Mother Alexandra. Her story was so captivating that I longed to hear more about her life.
I feel blessed to have learned of her and now can ask for her intercessions.
Mother Alexandra pray to God for us.
Princess Ileana of Romania
A timely message in today’s troubles.
I found the story of Princess Ileana or Mother Alexandra to be very encouraging. In our current social and political climate it can be so stressful. Listening to her life and all that she suffered as a princess caused me to examine my own life. How am I handling trials that come my way? Am I relying on God as did Mother Alexandra?
Her faith was remarkable. The way she was quick to help those around her, the loss she knew, the exile, the betrayal; I can only hope to one day have her faith!
Having lived near the place of the monastery she established and raising children in the city she took her last earthly breaths, I feel a deep connection to Mother Alexandra. Her story was so captivating that I longed to hear more about her life.
I feel blessed to have learned of her and now can ask for her intercessions.
Mother Alexandra pray to God for us.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
May 15, 2021The Royal Monastic is a book about Princess Ileana and her path to becoming a nun. It is a biography, but it is written in a story setting. For me, this made it much easier to follow and not be bored.
While reading this book, I was amazed at what Princess Ileana would do to be kind to other people and how she would risk her life to help another. I was also surprised to read that she accepted an offer to race against a German officer in her car.
She survives both world wars, communism, is forced to leave her native Romania, and yet she still manages to praise God for the good in her life. She finds her calling as a nun at 56 years old. After visiting the United States and discovering how few monasteries there were, she gets a
blessing to build one.
While reading this book, I was amazed at what Princess Ileana would do to be kind to other people and how she would risk her life to help another. I was also surprised to read that she accepted an offer to race against a German officer in her car.
She survives both world wars, communism, is forced to leave her native Romania, and yet she still manages to praise God for the good in her life. She finds her calling as a nun at 56 years old. After visiting the United States and discovering how few monasteries there were, she gets a
blessing to build one.
March 3, 2025
This biography of Princess Ileana of Romania is rather disappointing. I've rated it two stars because of the biographical information given, however, sections throughout the book such as "Ileana Remembers" and "Picture This" leave much to be desired. I left this book wishing the author had written a more in depth look at the life of a most interesting princess.
January 25, 2020
I had a lot of problems with this book, perhaps I'm not the right audience.
I think it's safe to say that the author 'let her colors show' for lack of a better phrase, and really gushed about Princess Ileana and her mother throughout the book. I could have used more facts about her family, the war, the pressures the family naturally faced before, during, and after World Wars I and II. I wanted to understand her relationship with her brother more, as well as her husbands and kids. I was surprised at how quickly we went from "Princess Ileana wanted to test her vocation to a monastery" to her entering and becoming a sister and later mother. (Monastic mother to be clear.) I would've liked to understand her calling a bit more.
Certainly the story is interesting, but this book didn't cut it for me unfortunately.
I think it's safe to say that the author 'let her colors show' for lack of a better phrase, and really gushed about Princess Ileana and her mother throughout the book. I could have used more facts about her family, the war, the pressures the family naturally faced before, during, and after World Wars I and II. I wanted to understand her relationship with her brother more, as well as her husbands and kids. I was surprised at how quickly we went from "Princess Ileana wanted to test her vocation to a monastery" to her entering and becoming a sister and later mother. (Monastic mother to be clear.) I would've liked to understand her calling a bit more.
Certainly the story is interesting, but this book didn't cut it for me unfortunately.
March 13, 2024
Wonderful read! Mother Alexandra’s life is fascinating. I appreciate Kate the thorough details, as I can thoroughly appreciate visiting and staying at Holy Transfiguration Monastery after reading this book.
July 31, 2017
Wonderful read.
May 29, 2019
A well written book that gives historical details yet also invites the reader to experience the life of Princess Ileana.
February 20, 2017
Inspiring beautiful. A book for young people as well as adults. Reading as part of a book club. Someone who suffered a great deal and was able to maintain their faith is a lesson for all of us.
December 17, 2016
Beautiful and inspiring.
November 10, 2013
Well researched book regarding the life of Princess Ileana of Romania.
June 17, 2017
Ileana´s life is so full of interesting, heartbreaking and uplifting experiences that a whole novel could be written about it, without even adding anything fictional to it. This book is a tender and apt tribute to this remarkable Princess, which reads easily and focuses more on her personal and spiritual journey than high politics.
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