Perfection

by Kathleen Wade

Maggie Walsh has entered the convent. Her brother thinks she’s wasting her life. Her sister doubts she has what it takes. Her mother is heartbroken; her father is happy. Her boyfriend pledges to wait until she “gets it out of her system.”

Abandoning her dreams to be an actress or a writer, Maggie embraces Church teaching that says the convent is the path to perfection. She sets out to prove – to herself and her family – that she can do it. She’ll follow her higher calling, no matter what.

It is 1960. Church reform is a few years away, but when it comes, radical changes unfold swiftly. Maggie embraces that change. Her brother, Jack, who tries at every turn to get Maggie to come to her senses, involves Maggie in civil-rights and anti-war activities – forcing her into conflict with her superiors. Maggie must will she keep peace in the convent or follow her conscience? A charismatic fellow teacher, Will, captures Maggie’s time and attention, and her first love, Stan, returns from a Navy tour, determined to win her back. Seeking perfection seemed so simple; now, it is anything but. Maggie must choose – God or a normal life?

406 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 3, 2018

Reviews

[Katrine Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very thoughtful book, not my usual topic or genre, and in many parts I was either frustrated or just uncomfortable, but ultimately it was an unconventional love story and I'm glad our book club chose this selection. The book definitely had me look at love differently, and certainly helped me understand how nuns exist and why. It was not lost on me the Taming of the Shrew references of Kate...being the author as Kathleen. Also, based on the pics of the author in real life, even 30 years later today, she's still got sapphire blue gorgeous eyes as mentioned for the protagonist. Well done, Ms. Wade.

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wade's fictional tale lifts the veil on the decision to live as a young, semi-cloistered religious woman in the 1960s. Maggie's initial quest for perfection and later, quest for modernization and reform within her world, set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights movement, make story incredibly easy to relate to.

Thank you for sharing your words and story with us. They are a gift.

[Julie S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of a girl who enters the convent in the era of the Vietnam War and Civil Rights movement. I thought the characters were well-developed and the plot was interesting. I don't think I've ever read anything quite like this before. Perfection was a quick read that kept me engaged and wanting to know how the story was going to end.

[EmmyT · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Could Have Been in 1 of Her Classes

But I wasnt. However, she speaks to me like the nuns I had. I'm even from Cincinnati. While reading this, I learned about the Sisters I knew from grade school, and those that helped my grandmother in Over The Rhine (the inner city). This book reinforces what I've learned about all encompassing love.