What do you think?
Rate this book
Unveiled: The Hidden Lives of Nuns
Drawing on interviews with more than three hundred nuns from a variety of orders and reflecting a diversity of beliefs, this candid study of life behind the walls of the convent describes their daily lives, their daily worship services, vow ceremonies, friendships, attitude toward the modern world and its consumerism, and interior lives. 40,000 first printing.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
35 people are currently reading
490 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
May 31, 2012
I really, really wanted to like this book. It has an interesting premise: a reporter from Chicago interviews 300 nuns to get a perspective on who the the modern nun is. I was interested to see how a non-Catholic would view a distinctly Catholic institution.
Reed’s nuns were all older, mostly un-habited nuns who were very angry and progressive to a fault. She rarely reported on habited nuns and those that she did were angry, repressed, and unwelcoming. Anyone that has met a young, modern, habited nun can tell you that the habited nuns Reed discussed are not the norm.
Many of the “nuns” she interviewed disagree with Church teaching; some do not attend Mass. Others said they do not consider themselves Catholic. Clearly, then, these are not women who are representative of the modern church. I would have liked her to interview younger women, but she wrote that almost no nuns are young women, which is profoundly untrue.
What bothered me most, though, about Reed’s book is that she, as a non-Catholic, was trying to find the perfect religious community, but according to her standards of perfection. She was judgmental of nuns with different views and disregarded many orders because they weren’t “feminist” enough. For Reed, the only reason she could see for joining a religious community was to commune with women as feminists. She was dismissive of many of the practices and rituals that Catholics hold sacred simply because she didn’t understand them.
I was angry most of the time while I was reading this book, and it is certainly not because Reed and I have different views, but because she clearly didn’t talk to the right women. Her effort was a good one, but as a young Catholic, she did not capture the Church as I know it to be.
Reed’s nuns were all older, mostly un-habited nuns who were very angry and progressive to a fault. She rarely reported on habited nuns and those that she did were angry, repressed, and unwelcoming. Anyone that has met a young, modern, habited nun can tell you that the habited nuns Reed discussed are not the norm.
Many of the “nuns” she interviewed disagree with Church teaching; some do not attend Mass. Others said they do not consider themselves Catholic. Clearly, then, these are not women who are representative of the modern church. I would have liked her to interview younger women, but she wrote that almost no nuns are young women, which is profoundly untrue.
What bothered me most, though, about Reed’s book is that she, as a non-Catholic, was trying to find the perfect religious community, but according to her standards of perfection. She was judgmental of nuns with different views and disregarded many orders because they weren’t “feminist” enough. For Reed, the only reason she could see for joining a religious community was to commune with women as feminists. She was dismissive of many of the practices and rituals that Catholics hold sacred simply because she didn’t understand them.
I was angry most of the time while I was reading this book, and it is certainly not because Reed and I have different views, but because she clearly didn’t talk to the right women. Her effort was a good one, but as a young Catholic, she did not capture the Church as I know it to be.
October 17, 2010
One of several books in my quest to understand a long-life fascination with nuns, the lives of nuns, the reasons for choosing to be a nun, and the socio-political implications to the fact that even in 'first-world' countries today, after feminism, women still opt for such choice. Apparently, author Reed has had the same fascination and similar questions and, for the most part, 'Unveiled' answers a lot--both to her and to me.
I guess I hoped for more, though. I remember being about 7 when my parents frequently took me to visit one of my dad's Italian aunts, who was a very modern, very outspoken, very feminist nun with a rather open order, for the time. Her calm, her humor and her very different vision fascinated me--even though I was brought up an atheist and even at the age of 7 pretty much knew I'd remain one. However, another thing that fascinated me was the sense--even at 7!--that there had to be more to it: that reasons for renouncing to a 'normal' life (independence, love, sex, children) had to go deeper than just a 'call to God.' Ten years later, I spent about a month at a gorgeous convent, isolated on an enormous mountain and overlooking valleys, with a protege of my aunt's, who'd become quite a celebrated Mother Superior at a quite revolutionary order. She put me up in a narrow, white, simple little room where I read and from which i'd emerge to 'spy' on what the nuns did. My fascination was never quite satisfied. But I remember that at one time I mentioned to her that i was an atheist and that, perhaps, she couldn't quite grasp that, given that her entire life was defined by belief. And she said, 'Extremes touch, my dear, don't you know?' She never said anything else about it--never even attempted to 'convert' me--but I somehow never forgot it.
Reed's book 'Unveiled' is gripping and in-depth and a great contribution to the quite hefty literature on nuns and their lives, subjects which have fascinated many. But it draws short of really answering: why? Even when she correctly and shrewdly connects the link between strong women choosing to be nuns throughout all history in pretty much every country, and an understanding of feminism as rejecting the limitations of patriarchy, she still does not dig far down enough to answer 'why'? Why nuns? Why an inability to both reject one sort of patriarchy and then abandon oneself to another? Because it doesn't matter how you view it, the Catholic Church in general and convents in particular are and always have been extreme expressions of patriarchy--sometimes, the very worst. Atrocities have been committed both in the name of the Church and by nuns themselves--supposedly, the very women ostracised by patriarchy to the point that they have needed a complete removal and separation from it. Just what kind of strength, and of vision, is it when in order to flee one kind of oppression, one 'escapes' into another? And what sort of feminist womanhood is it, to exist in a woman-only club? Ultimately, the book has reinforced one of my lasting suspicions: that in the end, most nuns sought a socially-sanctioned, morally 'acceptable' form of rebellion that would give them the peace to escape the confinements of life patriarchy without actually doing anything about it.
I guess I hoped for more, though. I remember being about 7 when my parents frequently took me to visit one of my dad's Italian aunts, who was a very modern, very outspoken, very feminist nun with a rather open order, for the time. Her calm, her humor and her very different vision fascinated me--even though I was brought up an atheist and even at the age of 7 pretty much knew I'd remain one. However, another thing that fascinated me was the sense--even at 7!--that there had to be more to it: that reasons for renouncing to a 'normal' life (independence, love, sex, children) had to go deeper than just a 'call to God.' Ten years later, I spent about a month at a gorgeous convent, isolated on an enormous mountain and overlooking valleys, with a protege of my aunt's, who'd become quite a celebrated Mother Superior at a quite revolutionary order. She put me up in a narrow, white, simple little room where I read and from which i'd emerge to 'spy' on what the nuns did. My fascination was never quite satisfied. But I remember that at one time I mentioned to her that i was an atheist and that, perhaps, she couldn't quite grasp that, given that her entire life was defined by belief. And she said, 'Extremes touch, my dear, don't you know?' She never said anything else about it--never even attempted to 'convert' me--but I somehow never forgot it.
Reed's book 'Unveiled' is gripping and in-depth and a great contribution to the quite hefty literature on nuns and their lives, subjects which have fascinated many. But it draws short of really answering: why? Even when she correctly and shrewdly connects the link between strong women choosing to be nuns throughout all history in pretty much every country, and an understanding of feminism as rejecting the limitations of patriarchy, she still does not dig far down enough to answer 'why'? Why nuns? Why an inability to both reject one sort of patriarchy and then abandon oneself to another? Because it doesn't matter how you view it, the Catholic Church in general and convents in particular are and always have been extreme expressions of patriarchy--sometimes, the very worst. Atrocities have been committed both in the name of the Church and by nuns themselves--supposedly, the very women ostracised by patriarchy to the point that they have needed a complete removal and separation from it. Just what kind of strength, and of vision, is it when in order to flee one kind of oppression, one 'escapes' into another? And what sort of feminist womanhood is it, to exist in a woman-only club? Ultimately, the book has reinforced one of my lasting suspicions: that in the end, most nuns sought a socially-sanctioned, morally 'acceptable' form of rebellion that would give them the peace to escape the confinements of life patriarchy without actually doing anything about it.
August 22, 2012
this book reads too much like a memoir of the author's personal spiritual journey and not enough like a piece of thoughtful journalism. I was raised Catholic in a time of great upheaval for nuns. I wanted to know what happened to them. this book really didn't hold my attention, though.
January 4, 2016
I picked this book up as research for a novel I'm writing. Not only did I find much of use between the covers, but learned so much I wouldn't have thought to ask the nuns of my acquaintance.
Reed spent four years doing her own research for this book -- living among nuns from many different orders. Some are cloistered, some are secular (really, one group left the Vatican's influence completely), some are social workers, other midwives and teachers. Some are in inner cities, some are in desert schools and border towns. One group is locked behind the gates of a Hollywood mansion. They are all highly educated, thoughtful, opinionated and hold a wide range of beliefs and practices. They speak candidly about relationships and what chastity means. Feminism and inclusivity are frequent themes, as is what challenges the orders face attracting new members and in what ways they might transform in the future.
There is so much excellent social justice work being done by these women and much of it, if not apart from the Vatican's hierarchy, then at least running along an affectionately separate track. More than anything else I was deeply impressed by those women who remain faithful to their understanding of Christ's message, even when it means going up against the guys in power.
An altogether fascinating read.
Reed spent four years doing her own research for this book -- living among nuns from many different orders. Some are cloistered, some are secular (really, one group left the Vatican's influence completely), some are social workers, other midwives and teachers. Some are in inner cities, some are in desert schools and border towns. One group is locked behind the gates of a Hollywood mansion. They are all highly educated, thoughtful, opinionated and hold a wide range of beliefs and practices. They speak candidly about relationships and what chastity means. Feminism and inclusivity are frequent themes, as is what challenges the orders face attracting new members and in what ways they might transform in the future.
There is so much excellent social justice work being done by these women and much of it, if not apart from the Vatican's hierarchy, then at least running along an affectionately separate track. More than anything else I was deeply impressed by those women who remain faithful to their understanding of Christ's message, even when it means going up against the guys in power.
An altogether fascinating read.
January 14, 2017
I had very mixed feelings about this book. The author has some serious biases which taint her writing & her lack of understanding of the religion which she is investigating adds up to a skewed view of Catholic nuns. I was unsure about reading this book from the start because by her own admission she was starting from a place of fear & ignorance regarding the religious life of these Catholic women. I also think the book would have been better if she included nuns of other religions, even if it was just Episcopal nuns to give herself a more comfortable feeling about them. I did like the book, flawed though I found her viewpoint. I think it showed the nuns she admired in a very positive yet honest light. I cannot say the same for her view of the type of nuns she did not admire. Here she was badly biased & showed very little understanding of the vocation. There are jerky, unpleasant & crazy people in every career & workplace, nuns are no different, the hierarchy in the Catholic church can be very difficult even for those of us in the church but this book would have benefitted from a deeper understanding of both Catholicism and of the religious life.
August 27, 2007
In first grade I was set on being a nun one day. I think it's a Catholic kid thing. This book reminded me how amazing it is that in our greedy, self-centered world people still dedicate themselves to living their faith.
October 31, 2008
She may be a journalist, but she can't write.
December 20, 2020
2.5 stars
A decidedly subjective look at modern nuns in North America. The author has a major bias toward modern feminist ideals, and doesn't seem to comprehend, let alone believe, what the Bible declares as Truth. She appears to be pro-abortion. God is referred to as She, Sophia, the Goddess. At one point, she refers to God's allowing humans to experience suffering and difficult circumstances as "hazing."
The nuns she interviews aren't much better. Most treat the Church as a club or something they possess rather than as the family of God. Some of the nuns no longer attend church, and an alarming number don't believe that following Jesus is the only way to receive the forgiveness of sins, or even that it's necessary to believe in the existence of God to be saved. Several nuns incorporate aspects of Hinduism, Buddhism, Native American spirituality, wicca, "goddess worship," etc. into their beliefs.
In the last chapter, the author turns her attention to a group that left the Catholic church in 1970. Why she included them, I really don't know, because they can hardly be described as nuns, and the book is supposedly about nuns. One woman from this group describes herself as "post-Christian," then proceeds to take vows that include being faithful to the Gospel. Huh?
The author applauds this group for embracing lesbians, men, and families, and then makes the hilarious observation that the group is almost more like a church than an exclusive religious community, lamenting that traditional female monasteries exclude men and families.
The author seemed really pushy when asking nuns to talk about their sexual histories and temptations and became annoyed when leaders took offense at her questioning. But would she share details of her own sexual escapades or desires with a bunch of random strangers, especially with little control over how her words would be twisted and portrayed? She claims these women won't give her details because they "have an image to maintain, a pedestal to stand on." p 156. Or maybe they just want the privacy that's pretty standard for everyone else in the world?
The author made various comments unrelated to nunnery, yet didn't seem to know anything about the issues at hand. For example, she states, "Because of the high fat content in the modern Indian diet, diabetes is at epidemic levels…" p 214. Diabetes is not caused by excessive fat. Any doctor, nutritionist, or diabetic with half a brain could have told her that.
Another time, she says, "While alcoholism plays a major role in domestic problems on the reservation, drinking seemed to be a quick scapegoat for every problem, including poor academics or lack of discipline." p 219. Yes, because domestic problems play a major role in academics and discipline!
There is some profanity, including God's name used in vain.
My thoughts about this book, the author, and the nuns, can be summed up with a phrase repeated over and over again in the book of Judges in the Bible: "They each did what was right in their own eyes." This was not stated as a happy affirmation that people were "following their hearts;" it wasn't intended to bring applause. Rather, it was a judgment showing how evil they had become by doing whatever "felt good" to them instead of doing what God had instructed.
A decidedly subjective look at modern nuns in North America. The author has a major bias toward modern feminist ideals, and doesn't seem to comprehend, let alone believe, what the Bible declares as Truth. She appears to be pro-abortion. God is referred to as She, Sophia, the Goddess. At one point, she refers to God's allowing humans to experience suffering and difficult circumstances as "hazing."
The nuns she interviews aren't much better. Most treat the Church as a club or something they possess rather than as the family of God. Some of the nuns no longer attend church, and an alarming number don't believe that following Jesus is the only way to receive the forgiveness of sins, or even that it's necessary to believe in the existence of God to be saved. Several nuns incorporate aspects of Hinduism, Buddhism, Native American spirituality, wicca, "goddess worship," etc. into their beliefs.
In the last chapter, the author turns her attention to a group that left the Catholic church in 1970. Why she included them, I really don't know, because they can hardly be described as nuns, and the book is supposedly about nuns. One woman from this group describes herself as "post-Christian," then proceeds to take vows that include being faithful to the Gospel. Huh?
The author applauds this group for embracing lesbians, men, and families, and then makes the hilarious observation that the group is almost more like a church than an exclusive religious community, lamenting that traditional female monasteries exclude men and families.
The author seemed really pushy when asking nuns to talk about their sexual histories and temptations and became annoyed when leaders took offense at her questioning. But would she share details of her own sexual escapades or desires with a bunch of random strangers, especially with little control over how her words would be twisted and portrayed? She claims these women won't give her details because they "have an image to maintain, a pedestal to stand on." p 156. Or maybe they just want the privacy that's pretty standard for everyone else in the world?
The author made various comments unrelated to nunnery, yet didn't seem to know anything about the issues at hand. For example, she states, "Because of the high fat content in the modern Indian diet, diabetes is at epidemic levels…" p 214. Diabetes is not caused by excessive fat. Any doctor, nutritionist, or diabetic with half a brain could have told her that.
Another time, she says, "While alcoholism plays a major role in domestic problems on the reservation, drinking seemed to be a quick scapegoat for every problem, including poor academics or lack of discipline." p 219. Yes, because domestic problems play a major role in academics and discipline!
There is some profanity, including God's name used in vain.
My thoughts about this book, the author, and the nuns, can be summed up with a phrase repeated over and over again in the book of Judges in the Bible: "They each did what was right in their own eyes." This was not stated as a happy affirmation that people were "following their hearts;" it wasn't intended to bring applause. Rather, it was a judgment showing how evil they had become by doing whatever "felt good" to them instead of doing what God had instructed.
January 9, 2013
Nuns are great! This is an ever-fascinating introduction to the world of nuns and Catholic spirituality that describes a range of orders, practices and vocational temperaments. Unexpectedly, reading about their austere disciplines had me reconsidering halakhic Judaism as a spiritual practice and appreciate the power of religious uniforms. The author spent a few years with a variety of communities from inner city missions to health clinics for poor migrants to cloistered Carmelites. Since Church reforms in the early 60s, many orders have liberalized their practices. Many of the nuns were heterodox in their religious and political beliefs, expanding and reinterpreting their vows of chastity-poverty-obedience. Today new nuns are few, yet the orders that have kept the traditional dress and disciplines are attracting more recruits. The most dynamic nuns profiled came of age during the late 60s; the author rightly frames them and their endeavors as admirably subversive and feminist—awesome!
August 25, 2012
Like most Catholics I know, I consider nuns to be the truest living representatives of the principles of the Gospels, which makes them both fascinating and a little baffling. In examining and portraying the "hidden lives" of nuns, Reed admirably chose to sample a wide range of orders and communities, from conservative, largely cloistered, and habited nuns to progressive groups that live and work among the poorest of the poor. It is the latter groups that have recently drawn the ire of Rome (and the renewed admiration of many of us), even as the former have had better success in recruiting new members (albeit still in drastically reduced numbers from past decades). But after reading this book, I was reminded that the lives of nuns are as diverse as those in any other group and that this is ultimately a good thing, if this vocation is to continue to exist and evolve to fit an ever-changing world.
January 24, 2016
This book is a pretty easy read with a steady, comfortable pace. I think the author did her very best to be fair to all, even when clearly not welcomed. Some of the authors bias and lack of understanding of the Catholic faith taint her perspectives but its enjoyable all the same. Because of what I feel is a negative outlook on religious life, I won't recommend this to the young ladies I know considering these options. As a lay person though, the sisters still inspire me and I will gladly recommend as general reading enjoyment to others.
October 16, 2007
A brilliant book that shows that not all nuns are alike. The writer takes us through inner city communities, where the pope is "poo-poohed" all the way to cloistered convents.
July 16, 2017
Around the Year in 52 Books 2017 Reading Challenge. A non-fiction book.
The author, Cheryl Reed, traveled all over the United States during a four year period to interview a variety of nuns. It is important to acknowledge that she is NOT Catholic and she is clearly a feminist who does not understand why anyone female today would want to wear a habit nor why contemplative nuns are important.
At one time, nuns were for the most part either contemplative, nurses, teachers, or social workers. Major changes took place during the 1960's as a direct result of the Vatican II council which did NOT permit any females' input. Some nuns do still wear a full habit, some a modified habit, but a great many dress in "civilian" clothes. Also, as more occupations were opened up to women, fewer entered convents. There occurred a cascade effect: Fewer habited nuns teaching is Catholic schools meant fewer young ladies were exposed to that option as a life choice. A great many of those schools are now closed and most that remain are staffed by individuals who may not even be Catholic! I am very disturbed by the nuns she met who choose not to attend mass and by those who do not make time for prayer. I am also bothered by those who have chosen to redefine the words: poverty, chastity, and obedience. Frankly, it reminds of Bill Clinton's argument regarding whether IS means IS. I am not surprised that pushed by an overbearing, controlling Cardinal the Immaculate Heart nuns of southern California split into a traditional habited group and a group that enmass chose to leave their order and form a secular group. IF women are not going to attend mass, pray regularly, live communally, wear at least a modified habit, nor follow any of the three traditional vows CAN THEY REALLY BE NUNS? Perhaps a secular group of Catholic or Christian women who choose to contribute to the betterment of society in what way they can is a better option. Unfortunately, that group has now driven away some of its members by becoming too inclusive. It seems that women need more options available in more locations.
Well worth reading. It is good to know that there are still contemplative nuns committed to that life choice. It is interesting to note that I am not the only one who thinks the habit is to be revered/respected. It is a great shame we have lost so many Catholic schools and so many Catholic hospitals staffed by nuns. Not all change is good!
The author, Cheryl Reed, traveled all over the United States during a four year period to interview a variety of nuns. It is important to acknowledge that she is NOT Catholic and she is clearly a feminist who does not understand why anyone female today would want to wear a habit nor why contemplative nuns are important.
At one time, nuns were for the most part either contemplative, nurses, teachers, or social workers. Major changes took place during the 1960's as a direct result of the Vatican II council which did NOT permit any females' input. Some nuns do still wear a full habit, some a modified habit, but a great many dress in "civilian" clothes. Also, as more occupations were opened up to women, fewer entered convents. There occurred a cascade effect: Fewer habited nuns teaching is Catholic schools meant fewer young ladies were exposed to that option as a life choice. A great many of those schools are now closed and most that remain are staffed by individuals who may not even be Catholic! I am very disturbed by the nuns she met who choose not to attend mass and by those who do not make time for prayer. I am also bothered by those who have chosen to redefine the words: poverty, chastity, and obedience. Frankly, it reminds of Bill Clinton's argument regarding whether IS means IS. I am not surprised that pushed by an overbearing, controlling Cardinal the Immaculate Heart nuns of southern California split into a traditional habited group and a group that enmass chose to leave their order and form a secular group. IF women are not going to attend mass, pray regularly, live communally, wear at least a modified habit, nor follow any of the three traditional vows CAN THEY REALLY BE NUNS? Perhaps a secular group of Catholic or Christian women who choose to contribute to the betterment of society in what way they can is a better option. Unfortunately, that group has now driven away some of its members by becoming too inclusive. It seems that women need more options available in more locations.
Well worth reading. It is good to know that there are still contemplative nuns committed to that life choice. It is interesting to note that I am not the only one who thinks the habit is to be revered/respected. It is a great shame we have lost so many Catholic schools and so many Catholic hospitals staffed by nuns. Not all change is good!
April 28, 2022
This book fell so short of my expectations. 1) The writing - Both in her bio and throughout the book, the author reminds the reader of her credentials and awards. To me, each chapter read like an undergrad sociology paper. She would visit a location (almost exclusively in the Midwest, her section of the country), interview, maybe throw in her thoughts. Word count met? Next chapter. She enjoyed including physical descriptions of those whom she met. Imagine assisting her and thumbing through the pages to find yourself described as stout, hobbling, pock marked, doughy, large nose, [with a] lisp or buckteeth or hunched shoulders or having a face that evidenced that you had enjoyed too many of the Sisters' meals. Just a few examples . . . Inexcusable, not to mention irrelevant to the story. 2) And what exactly was the thesis of this book? Yes, I read the inside cover but now I am confused. Was it to learn about the various Orders and the women's lives? Certainly we all recognize that since any organization is the sum of its members, there would be conflicts and collectively, some fill formal and others, informal roles. Pertinence to this book? Was it her intention to journal us through her personal quest as she wrestled with her enlightenment? If so, as the reader, I was most uninterested in that. Or was it to give analysis of what she thought the women's hidden intentions were? Again, she went to J School; not learned in the psych of what makes ppl tick. If she was formulating a study, per se, how did she determine her participants? She said she wrote and called. Some invited her; some ignored her. Is that why there was no mention – with the exception of Sister Bertille’s cornette – of the Daughters of Charity, founded by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first person born in the US to be canonized and who established the first parochial school system in the U.S? 3) Other thoughts – a) Sometimes ppl were mean to her. She didn’t like that. b) Towards the end when she launched into her “feminist” theme – I am unabashedly of feminist beliefs but it became a “take a drink every time she uses the term feminist” . . . and you’ll be as tipsy as the nuns with whom she shared beers. And finally, Mass, capital M. Save mass for a future expose’ in science.
Read
September 19, 2024bear with me, for i fear this review may be long. if i'm honest, reading this book (and writing this review) is the most time i've dedicated to any sort of spiritual contemplation in a decade.
reed's initial premise of trying on a bunch of orders to see if any would suit her as a "modern woman" really rubbed me the wrong way, despite me also questioning why one would join a convent (though to be fair, i very much have not considered myself a practicing catholic since middle school). i also fear i find the "hidden lives" subtitle a bit misleading. i think i wanted to hear more juicy stories and interviews about lesbian nuns or whatever, but hey, you can't blame a lapsed catholic for wanting. i've always had a sort of reverence and appreciation of nuns; the dominicans that ran my high school were incredibly lovely. i suppose i've experienced my own form of a retreat when as part of a service trip modern dominican nuns opened their apartment to us and shared their stories of what brought them to the order over pizza served on paper plates.
though i am not sure i can produce a star rating for this book, i will say i do appreciate reed including many "radical" orders, for i have always believed that faith is strongest in those who set their own terms and interpret it in their own way. reevaluating their vows or even diverging from them in favor of renouncing male authority seems to me the only way to truly modernize the catholic church post vatican 2. when male authority has long steered the catholic church in a strict way, i think its brave and frankly, human, to vocally disagree whilst also affirming one's own faith.
whilst i don't feel like i was always on the same page as reed, i do agree with her epilogue's assertion that nuns are wonderful spiritual leaders and its a shame they are not more forward facing. i can't say i took any sort of religious inclinations away from this book either, because i'm not looking to forgive the catholic church for their misdeeds nor am i looking to court a new faith. i can, however, appreciate the notion of a life of simplicity, meditation (or prayer i guess), and serving others in whatever way suits your fancy.
reed's initial premise of trying on a bunch of orders to see if any would suit her as a "modern woman" really rubbed me the wrong way, despite me also questioning why one would join a convent (though to be fair, i very much have not considered myself a practicing catholic since middle school). i also fear i find the "hidden lives" subtitle a bit misleading. i think i wanted to hear more juicy stories and interviews about lesbian nuns or whatever, but hey, you can't blame a lapsed catholic for wanting. i've always had a sort of reverence and appreciation of nuns; the dominicans that ran my high school were incredibly lovely. i suppose i've experienced my own form of a retreat when as part of a service trip modern dominican nuns opened their apartment to us and shared their stories of what brought them to the order over pizza served on paper plates.
though i am not sure i can produce a star rating for this book, i will say i do appreciate reed including many "radical" orders, for i have always believed that faith is strongest in those who set their own terms and interpret it in their own way. reevaluating their vows or even diverging from them in favor of renouncing male authority seems to me the only way to truly modernize the catholic church post vatican 2. when male authority has long steered the catholic church in a strict way, i think its brave and frankly, human, to vocally disagree whilst also affirming one's own faith.
whilst i don't feel like i was always on the same page as reed, i do agree with her epilogue's assertion that nuns are wonderful spiritual leaders and its a shame they are not more forward facing. i can't say i took any sort of religious inclinations away from this book either, because i'm not looking to forgive the catholic church for their misdeeds nor am i looking to court a new faith. i can, however, appreciate the notion of a life of simplicity, meditation (or prayer i guess), and serving others in whatever way suits your fancy.
April 21, 2020
I'm not exactly sure what I was expecting when I started this book. I am not Catholic but had a lot of Catholic friends while growing up. And in spite of not being Catholic, I've had a lot of people tell me that I would make a good nun, which I always took as a compliment. I have always had a hard time wrapping my head around Roman Catholic theology, but I will admit an attraction to the idea of separating yourself from the world and dedicating your life to serving God through prayer and ritual and covenant. Although I knew there were different orders that stressed differing ways of expressing that dedication, this book blew me away with the diversity of the modern nun. Perhaps I was so shocked because I am too attached to the almost mystical image from my youth of the women in the flowing dresses and veils. For me, part of the neat part of being a nun is the habit--doesn't necessarily have to be the long constricting one, but some kind of habit that sets one apart. I struggle to understand why anyone would join an order if they are just going to do what they would have done if they hadn't joined. Or why join something that ties you to a hierarchy and system you abhor? In many ways this book raised more issues for me than it set to rest (like how can you make a vow and covenant with God and then just toss it aside and say that it's not meaningful now because things are different)--but it was fascinating and interesting and caused me to think deeply about a lot of issues. One thought that I particularly liked was a sister observing that the vows of chastity, obedience, and poverty that the nuns profess are in many ways the antithesis to driving forces in our modern society--sex, power, and money. I thought I would read this and have a nice education of modern nuns. I think I will have to do some more reading. It's always wonderful to have an excuse for reading more!
March 6, 2018
I can't remember what got me interested in nuns originally, but ever since I found out about this book, I was excited to get my hands on it. It was difficult to procure, because it's an older non-fiction book and I had to move across the country in between, but I'm so glad I finally got to read it. I'm happy to say that this book was even better than I was expecting.
The author visits many many different locations that house nuns and discusses their traditions, their differences, and how they go about their days. When I started this book, I was worried that it wouldn't still be relevant ~12 years later, but, as nuns are all women, this book turns out to be a consideration of what it means to be religiously devoted, what it means to take the vows of chastity, obedience, and poverty, what it means to do good in the world, and what it means to be a feminist.
I learned a WHOLE LOT from this book, and it was enjoyable throughout. It raised so many questions and gives me a lot to chew on regarding religion, the amount of time having a family takes, and what things people can do that actually decrease worldsuck. I definitely recommend this book if it sounds interesting at all to you.
The author visits many many different locations that house nuns and discusses their traditions, their differences, and how they go about their days. When I started this book, I was worried that it wouldn't still be relevant ~12 years later, but, as nuns are all women, this book turns out to be a consideration of what it means to be religiously devoted, what it means to take the vows of chastity, obedience, and poverty, what it means to do good in the world, and what it means to be a feminist.
I learned a WHOLE LOT from this book, and it was enjoyable throughout. It raised so many questions and gives me a lot to chew on regarding religion, the amount of time having a family takes, and what things people can do that actually decrease worldsuck. I definitely recommend this book if it sounds interesting at all to you.
November 18, 2021
—DNF—
Raised Catholic, nuns were secretive and not really … approachable to learn from. I was hoping this would kind of explore more of why women chose to ‘get thee to a nunnery’.
I didn’t get far in before the author was trying to tell me the nuns interviewed were feminists and rarely committed acts of aggression that they are known for. (The example used was ruler swatting students).
While I’m sure there are nuns that are feminist, I am skeptical that there are as many as Reed presents. The church is nothing but patriarchal. To the point of saying the whole congregation of 300 or so had to wait on a man to deliver Eucharist.
Add in that it’s 2021 and all over North America we are finding unmarked mass graves of children on residential schools run mostly by nuns. Yes, this came out in 2004 but we still knew then of the atrocities of the schools, if not the scope. Or the same type of graves found in convents in Ireland.
Honestly, it felt like church propaganda and lacked the type of writing I expect from a journalist.
Raised Catholic, nuns were secretive and not really … approachable to learn from. I was hoping this would kind of explore more of why women chose to ‘get thee to a nunnery’.
I didn’t get far in before the author was trying to tell me the nuns interviewed were feminists and rarely committed acts of aggression that they are known for. (The example used was ruler swatting students).
While I’m sure there are nuns that are feminist, I am skeptical that there are as many as Reed presents. The church is nothing but patriarchal. To the point of saying the whole congregation of 300 or so had to wait on a man to deliver Eucharist.
Add in that it’s 2021 and all over North America we are finding unmarked mass graves of children on residential schools run mostly by nuns. Yes, this came out in 2004 but we still knew then of the atrocities of the schools, if not the scope. Or the same type of graves found in convents in Ireland.
Honestly, it felt like church propaganda and lacked the type of writing I expect from a journalist.
March 28, 2020
This was an interesting look at women in various monastic orders. The author's goal was to discover if there was a place for nuns in modern life. What I learned is that the women who are nuns and the orders they are a part of are as varied in their beliefs as women outside of those orders.
I liked all the biographical information about the various nuns and the different works their orders participated in. This book is definitely a good overview of the various orders and what it is nuns actually do. I also learned a lot about Vatican II just by reading. If you are interested in religious subcultures, I recommend this book.
I liked all the biographical information about the various nuns and the different works their orders participated in. This book is definitely a good overview of the various orders and what it is nuns actually do. I also learned a lot about Vatican II just by reading. If you are interested in religious subcultures, I recommend this book.
April 12, 2018
Very interesting book! The author takes 4 years to travel and get to know different orders of nuns. I had no idea there were so many different orders or different ways to be a nun. I was very inspired by the sacrificial lives of many of the women. I also appreciated the nuns teachings about life, God and the “dark night of the soul”.
July 7, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed reading Unveiled. Ms. Reed dedicated immense time and effort toward this book. Traveling across the country, personal discussions about the challenges of joining the convent, and her skill in articulating what she'd learned. I'm very grateful that I found this book, and I learned a great deal. Thank you, Cheryl.
November 4, 2017
Fascinating look at different kinds of religious orders.
April 14, 2018
This was an informative, enjoyable read. I live across the street from a group of nuns, so it was fun to see in to what their lives might be like
June 26, 2018
A really good and Interesting read, very eye opening! I will forever remember this book!
June 22, 2019
Interesting exploration. Less depth of insight than I would have expected after the years she spent visiting monasteries.
October 15, 2019
Such a fascinating book. I highly recommend this book.
March 16, 2020
Very interesting.
September 5, 2020
Interesting story about nuns. I was surprised about that convents aren't always linked to the Catholics. Many nuns are feminists. Informative.
September 2, 2021
A great look into the lives of nuns and how the orders differ. It is also interesting to read about the changes that have taken place over the years.
January 26, 2024
Definitely not a perfect book, but deeply interesting nonetheless !
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews