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Sister Matthew and Sister Rose: Novices in Love
Maureen Collins, recently named Sister Matthew in the novitiate at St. Euphrosnye’s convent in Western Maryland in 1962, doubts the existence of God. She entered the convent for several she thinks being surrounded by believers might help her believe; she knows she’s attracted to women and wants to avoid pressure to date men and marry; and she feels guilty about something that happened when she was in high school.
She quickly falls in love with Rose Clancy, now Sister Rose, another novice who also is attracted to women. Rose is more religious, but she reciprocates Sister Matthew’s feelings. She grew up with an alcoholic mother and found a refuge among the nuns who taught her.
As the two move through postulancy and the novitiate, they encounter many challenges from the strict rules to memories of their respective pasts. The memory of an old murder intrudes in the present.
*******
What reviewers are
“A landmark book! The first novel to focus entirely on pre-Vatican II novices. Intelligent, romantic, and captivating.”
Nancy Manahan, co-editor of Lesbian Breaking Silence
“A faith-challenged novice and her “particular friend” take cloistered life to new heights. A witty, humorous, and deeply thoughtful story about finding one’s true passion. There’s even a murder mystery.”
Becky Bohan, author of A Light on Altered Land
“Why does a nice Jewish girl like me love a book about nuns? Because it’s written by Carol Anne Douglas, a brilliant author who makes me chuckle, cry, and marvel on alternate pages. And because I’ve learned from her that some nuns, a mysterious group of women I never understood, never traded their humanity when they donned their habits.”
Ellen Levy, author of Romance at Stonegate
“An in-depth examination of convent life in the 1960s that is both poignant and insightful.”
Elena Graf, author of Occasions of Sin
She quickly falls in love with Rose Clancy, now Sister Rose, another novice who also is attracted to women. Rose is more religious, but she reciprocates Sister Matthew’s feelings. She grew up with an alcoholic mother and found a refuge among the nuns who taught her.
As the two move through postulancy and the novitiate, they encounter many challenges from the strict rules to memories of their respective pasts. The memory of an old murder intrudes in the present.
*******
What reviewers are
“A landmark book! The first novel to focus entirely on pre-Vatican II novices. Intelligent, romantic, and captivating.”
Nancy Manahan, co-editor of Lesbian Breaking Silence
“A faith-challenged novice and her “particular friend” take cloistered life to new heights. A witty, humorous, and deeply thoughtful story about finding one’s true passion. There’s even a murder mystery.”
Becky Bohan, author of A Light on Altered Land
“Why does a nice Jewish girl like me love a book about nuns? Because it’s written by Carol Anne Douglas, a brilliant author who makes me chuckle, cry, and marvel on alternate pages. And because I’ve learned from her that some nuns, a mysterious group of women I never understood, never traded their humanity when they donned their habits.”
Ellen Levy, author of Romance at Stonegate
“An in-depth examination of convent life in the 1960s that is both poignant and insightful.”
Elena Graf, author of Occasions of Sin
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2021
17 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Carol Anne Douglas
12 books97 followersCarol Anne Douglas is a writer of novels and plays. In her lalest novel, Choosing Yellowstone, she looks at a long-term couple who make different choices and have to live with the consequences. In her novel Sister Matthew and Sister Rose: Novices in Love, Douglas revists her Catholic girlhood. She also passionately loves the Arthurian legends and the works of Shakespeare, and has used them as the basis of her own fiction. Her Arthurian books are Lancelot Her Story and Lancelot and Guinevere, in which Lancelot is a woman in disguise. Her young adult novels, Merlin's Shakespeare and The Mercutio Problem, are about a teen-age girl's time travels to Shakespeare's world.
She worked on a feminist news journal for many years and published many essays. She has taught women's studies classes at George Washington University. She is now focusing on her novels and plays. Several of her short plays was read at the Kennedy Center, and at the Writer's Center in Bethesda, Md.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 25, 2021
Sister Matthew and Sister Rose
After a few chapters, I wasn't sure if I would be able to finish the book. It was so thoroughly into the convent ways of life, which I know by the way being a student border for all my studying life, that I figured I knew what would happen. But I'm happy that I kept at it cause it helped me find a very, good book and a great author!
After a few chapters, I wasn't sure if I would be able to finish the book. It was so thoroughly into the convent ways of life, which I know by the way being a student border for all my studying life, that I figured I knew what would happen. But I'm happy that I kept at it cause it helped me find a very, good book and a great author!
January 26, 2022
Interesting and sentimental
Maureen and Rose, known as Sister Matthew and Sister Rose are exploring their confusing feelings for one another whilst trying to embrace their way of life as novices in the convent. Sister Matthew struggles less with her attraction to Rose than Rose who is more religious and conflicted by all that is happening between them. Past experiences and their faith shape their journey and influence their decisions as they work out which is more important, their faith or their heart.
The story was very interesting and although at first was heavy on explaining the ways of convent life, it told an important story of the challenge that can be presented by faith and your feelings and emotions. Both Sister Matthew and Sister Rose had much to consider in all of their decisions about their relationship, and as it continued to change between them the dynamic presented new challenges or issues they had to face. It was a very emotional and confusing time for them both and Carol Anne explored each and every one of these instances with sensitivity and care, while highlighting important issues.
I really enjoyed reading about the connection shared between these novices. It was unique and very true of heart. Sister Matthew and Rose had such a great thirst for life and love, which was wonderful because they were always true to themselves no matter what they were going through.
Being on this journey with Sister Matthew and Sister Rose was thought provoking and they each had different views on the same things, which meant there was also the opportunity to learn about a different time and way of life.
Maureen and Rose, known as Sister Matthew and Sister Rose are exploring their confusing feelings for one another whilst trying to embrace their way of life as novices in the convent. Sister Matthew struggles less with her attraction to Rose than Rose who is more religious and conflicted by all that is happening between them. Past experiences and their faith shape their journey and influence their decisions as they work out which is more important, their faith or their heart.
The story was very interesting and although at first was heavy on explaining the ways of convent life, it told an important story of the challenge that can be presented by faith and your feelings and emotions. Both Sister Matthew and Sister Rose had much to consider in all of their decisions about their relationship, and as it continued to change between them the dynamic presented new challenges or issues they had to face. It was a very emotional and confusing time for them both and Carol Anne explored each and every one of these instances with sensitivity and care, while highlighting important issues.
I really enjoyed reading about the connection shared between these novices. It was unique and very true of heart. Sister Matthew and Rose had such a great thirst for life and love, which was wonderful because they were always true to themselves no matter what they were going through.
Being on this journey with Sister Matthew and Sister Rose was thought provoking and they each had different views on the same things, which meant there was also the opportunity to learn about a different time and way of life.
February 21, 2022
Fans of historical romances will lose themselves in the rich storytelling of this lovely novel by Carol Anne Douglas. Complex, compelling themes are masterfully woven into this tale of love; readers will no doubt be captivated by Sister Matthew and Sister Rose’s journey of self-discovery, love and faith.
Told in alternating points of view, readers experience all the sights and sounds of what it was like to become a nun in the early 1960’s. The story is fiction of course, but it pays close attention to Church doctrine and history. The walk through Catholic school and Catholicism stirs memories for those that grew up Catholic, but for those that didn’t, this odyssey is still more than fascinating. The experience of becoming a nun in 1962 is unimaginably formidable and profound for any young woman, but Sister Matthew and Sister Rose’s experience affects the emotions and belief systems of its readers like no other.
There is so much to enjoy about this exquisite romance. The craftsmanship of this tale seems simple, with its uncomplicated syntax and diction, but it is far from simple. The literary devices are skillfully and expertly used, emphasizing the major themes in the most striking ways. The symbolism of patron saints, church icons, the natural world and even other literary greats is splendidly inserted into the storytelling, giving the story a depth and dimension that is very appealing. The overall effect is marvelous, making this story something to behold.
Final remarks…
This work of fiction is really quite remarkable and admirably penned. Douglas pays close attention to structure, composition and character development, giving fiction lovers an enchanting reading experience. Maureen and Rose’s youthful pilgrimage into self-discovery and love is captivating and will linger with readers long after they’ve turned the last page.
Strengths…
Well-written
Fascinating storyline
Sweet and tender romance
Charming characters
Told in alternating points of view, readers experience all the sights and sounds of what it was like to become a nun in the early 1960’s. The story is fiction of course, but it pays close attention to Church doctrine and history. The walk through Catholic school and Catholicism stirs memories for those that grew up Catholic, but for those that didn’t, this odyssey is still more than fascinating. The experience of becoming a nun in 1962 is unimaginably formidable and profound for any young woman, but Sister Matthew and Sister Rose’s experience affects the emotions and belief systems of its readers like no other.
There is so much to enjoy about this exquisite romance. The craftsmanship of this tale seems simple, with its uncomplicated syntax and diction, but it is far from simple. The literary devices are skillfully and expertly used, emphasizing the major themes in the most striking ways. The symbolism of patron saints, church icons, the natural world and even other literary greats is splendidly inserted into the storytelling, giving the story a depth and dimension that is very appealing. The overall effect is marvelous, making this story something to behold.
Final remarks…
This work of fiction is really quite remarkable and admirably penned. Douglas pays close attention to structure, composition and character development, giving fiction lovers an enchanting reading experience. Maureen and Rose’s youthful pilgrimage into self-discovery and love is captivating and will linger with readers long after they’ve turned the last page.
Strengths…
Well-written
Fascinating storyline
Sweet and tender romance
Charming characters
September 30, 2021
I've read few books that I would like to reread, but this book is a masterpiece, written by a rare gem of an author. It is a must read, and I strongly advise that all of you should read it. It captured the 1960s spirit in all it's aspects.
The character of Sister Matthew is a very relatable one for me, and I think that's one of the major reasons I fell in love with this book.
As an author myself, I understand the struggle and joy and insecurities associated with writing, and that is why I'm really proud that this book saw the light of day. The major bonus points for this book comes from the fact that it didn't unnecessarily capitalize on the characters' sexuality, but on their general life. After this many words, it boils down to the fact that this is indeed a good book, and should be read.
The character of Sister Matthew is a very relatable one for me, and I think that's one of the major reasons I fell in love with this book.
As an author myself, I understand the struggle and joy and insecurities associated with writing, and that is why I'm really proud that this book saw the light of day. The major bonus points for this book comes from the fact that it didn't unnecessarily capitalize on the characters' sexuality, but on their general life. After this many words, it boils down to the fact that this is indeed a good book, and should be read.
December 30, 2021
This was an interesting story about love between two novice nuns in a Catholic order. However, in telling the story, the author relied on the idea that one of the nuns was able to "time travel" to different locales and historical times and that another nun, her friend, was also able to do this after the first novice told her that it was possible. Further, the two novices were able to meet and have passionate sex during these "time travels." One could view this, I guess, as a sort of magical realism, but for me it made the story seem less grounded in reality.
October 25, 2023
Two women learn, decide and manage to escape the church!
Maureen and Rose meet at a nunnery ( school) created to teach young woman to be a model of God by the Catholic Church. But things don't go as well as their teachers thought they should. Both women are graduates of higher learning. Both already have a preset notion of things. They are knowledgeable where miracles are not necessary true. Oops! Now they are in trouble with their priest and head teachers. What to do? What to do? Enjoy!
Maureen and Rose meet at a nunnery ( school) created to teach young woman to be a model of God by the Catholic Church. But things don't go as well as their teachers thought they should. Both women are graduates of higher learning. Both already have a preset notion of things. They are knowledgeable where miracles are not necessary true. Oops! Now they are in trouble with their priest and head teachers. What to do? What to do? Enjoy!
Read
November 20, 2021This was a fascinating book in seeing the development of the two women in their understanding of the outdated beliefs of the superiors in their order. They were brave to confront the rigid ways of their orders, yet still be intelligent and generous women who will work with populations in need of their talents. It would be so interesting to see how they develop their personal and professional lives together in the future.
February 24, 2024
A Wonderful Saga of Finding Your True Heart
Sister Matthew and Sister Rose entered the convent on the same day. Forbidden from special friendships they still shared moments when the hearts rejoiced in their love. This is a vivid depiction of life as a novice. But finding God and Nature as a true church of Good and Grace is a life well spent.
Sister Matthew and Sister Rose entered the convent on the same day. Forbidden from special friendships they still shared moments when the hearts rejoiced in their love. This is a vivid depiction of life as a novice. But finding God and Nature as a true church of Good and Grace is a life well spent.
April 8, 2025
Catching cover isnt it? Automatically hints at a taboo relationship between the two novices. Carol Anne Douglas weaves historical fiction with feminist theory and mixes romance with the strict convent life . I was spell bound to the final page
January 7, 2025
Interesting look into love in a convent. Not having been raised in the Catholic church, I am a novice (every pun intended) when it comes to rites & prayers, etc. I think that made it difficult to picture the scenes as effectively as I might. Nonetheless, the intensity of fear and attraction were well conveyed. I enjoyed the author's carefully placed witticisms.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews