|
| |||||||||||
What are readers saying about Sacred Hearts: A Novel?
| Reviews of Sacred Hearts: A Novel - Page 1 of 1 | «1»
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2009-11-19 02:25:58.
(Language: English)
 
currently reading, so far interesting, but not fab. Will see how it ends to rate.
|
Yes (0) 
No (0) |
|
A Reader posted a review at 2009-07-26 02:57:57.
(Language: English)
Excellent book. If you haven't read Sarah Durant you are missing out.This explains why there were such high numbers of young women in the convents. I had no idea.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2009-12-21 07:08:36.
(Language: English)
I loved this one a lot. Very detailed look at nuns in a Rennaissance era Italian convent. Great characters, great plot.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2009-08-23 10:09:04.
(Language: English)
Great novel. Dunant sculpts a great read - strong plot and clear narrative so that you feel you know the characters. I love that these women develop interesting and true lives even when often "imprisoned" without their consent. What an illuminating glimpse into a long ago time!
|
|
Chris posted a review at 2012-02-18 11:06:42.
(Language: English)
Slow start but ended up good.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2009-08-12 03:53:42.
(Language: English)
Another great read by Sarah Dunant. While the topic of monastery life in 14th century Ferara may seem less than exciting, the plot sizzles and the characters are vividly portrayed. I stayed up all night to finish it.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-02-07 02:13:36.
(Language: English)
I loved this book!
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2009-09-06 01:40:02.
(Language: English)
A brilliantly written and captivating book in a time of change in the catholic religion and life of nuns. It had never occured to me that nuns were sent against their will to serve the church.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2009-10-23 06:02:12.
(Language: English)
A great book! The story was wonderful and I learned so much about life in convents of this period.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2009-08-08 07:53:34.
(Language: English)
I enjoyed the historical accuracy of this story. It has literary strength through most of the story, but, in my opinion, the conflicts seem too easily resolved toward the end.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2009-09-04 05:21:10.
(Language: English)
I LOVE IT! it keep me in awe, surprise and turning each page for more.
|
|
Deborah posted a review at 2009-11-20 11:19:43.
(Language: English)
This was good, though long. Such a detailed look at life within an Italian convent, whew! And a hugely surprising plot twist, although it doesn't occur until past page 300. A good read, though.
|
|
Michael posted a review at 2009-11-07 12:57:17.
(Language: English)
A wonderful book; the first Dunant I've read - actually listened to the audiobook narrated by a terrific reader. Follows the vibrant life of novices and nuns in a 16th century Italian convent, some confined against their wills. Surprisingly compelling, though I was somewhat disappointed with the ending - petered out and I was hoping for something different with Zuana, the convent physician.
|
|
Reem posted a review at 2009-08-12 08:33:46.
(Language: English)
One of the best books I've ever read, by one of the most prolific writers I've come across in recent times. Sarah Dunant has a way of beginning a story like it is a calm water surface, then ever so gently stirring it to make the tiniest ripple, then, like having just seen mysterious bubbles come up to the surface, the reader wonders what lurks beneath--or if they even really saw those bubbles in the first place-- until the monster jumps out, leading to a perfectly organized climax that is both chaotic and well-thought out. The world that Sarah Dunant paints in "Sacred Hearts" is one that is both gentle and harsh, beautiful and ugly; most of all, it is a world that once existed, but couldn't have been presented so profondly as it is by this genius writer.
|
|
|
Louise posted a review at 2012-08-27 08:36:21.
(Language: English)
Story Description: Random House|June 10, 2011|Hardcover|ISBN: 978-1-4000-6382-6 The year is 1570, and in the convent of Santa Caterina, in the Italian city of Ferrara, noblewoman find space to pursue their lives under Gods’ protection. But any community, however smoothly run, suffers tremors when it takes in someone by force. And the arrival of Santa Caterina’s new novice sets in motion a chain of events that will shake the convent to its core. Ripped by her family from an illicit love affair, sixteen-year-old Serafina is wilful, emotional, sharp, and defiant – young enough to have a life to look forward to and old enough to know that life is being cut short. Her first night inside the walls is spent in incandescent rage so violent that the dispensary mistress, Suora Zuana, is dispatched to the girl’s cell to sedate her. Thus begins a complex relationship of trust and betrayal between the young rebel and the clever, scholarly nun, for whom the girl becomes the daughter she will never have. As Serafina rails against her incarceration, others are drawn into the drama, the ancienAt, mysterious Suora Magdalena – with her history of visions and ecstasies – locked in her cell, the ferociously devout novice mistress Suora Umilian, who comes to see in the postulant a way to extend her influence, and watching it all, the abbess, Madonna Chiara, a woman as fluent in politics as she is in prayer. As disorder and rebellion mount, it is the abbess’s job to keep the convent stable while, outside its walls, the dictates of the Counter-Reformation begin to purge the Catholic Church and impose on the nunneries a regime of terrible oppression. Sarah Dunant, is the bestselling author of The Birth of Venus and In the Company of the Courtesan, brings this intricate Renaissance world compellingly to life. Amid Sacred Hearts is a rich, engrossing, multifaceted love story, encompassing the passions of the flesh, the exultation of the spirit, and the deep enduring power of friendship. My Review: A great piece of historical fiction that was hard to put down. It brought to life the world of an Italian convent in Ferrara, Italy in 1570. Back in that era, women could be placed in convents by ‘force’. Many of these women who ended up there were castaways from families; unwanted in general; others to curb promiscuous lifestyles; or even those with rich families who could provide a dowry with the young woman just for them to take her off their hands. The story itself is basically about a particular young nun, Serafina, who is extremely headstrong and stubborn. She is sent to Santa Caterina totally against her will and has such a rotten attitude that she single handedly brings down the entire equilibrium of the whole convent. When she first arrived she was prone to fits of screaming and disruption that it made it difficult for the other nuns to carry out their day-to-day duties. Zuona is a special nun in the regard that she is an apothecary having taught by her physician father. This was a very strange career to teach a girl during this particular era. Zuana likes to learn and holds dear the many herbs, roots, sinews and books she has. She likes to learn and is somewhat of a thinker, not a dreamer like a lot of the other nuns. Serafina is an unwilling novice but when the Abby places her in the pharmacy with Zuana, Zuana is forced to confront a lot of her personal feelings, which she has repressed. These are feelings that have prevented Zuana from accepting completely her life in the convent. Zuana was sent to the convent after the death of her father. Madonna Chiara is the abbess and CEO and reruns a tight ship so to speak. She can charm money from do-gooders, and ensures she gives the Bishop everything he wants to keep on his good side. Chiara has lived in the convent since she was a young girl herself. However, it is Serafina who provides the tension for all concerned in the convent. Serafina was sent to the convent by her father so he could end a relationship Serafina was having with a fellow musician. Sacred Hearts is a phenomenal piece of historical fiction that will capture the hearts of all who read it.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-02-12 05:41:07.
(Language: English)
Sarah Dunant is a wonderful writer. The story is captivating. I am pleased to know more of the women who have gone before us and pleased to be in the 21st Century.
|
|
Heta posted a review at 2009-09-22 03:34:12.
(Language: English)
Who would have thought a story taking place entirely in the confines of a convent would be so interesting? In these times of renaissance, reformation and counter-reformation many noble families could afford to marry off only their most marriageable daughter. Her sisters would end up in a convent whether they felt the religious calling or not. The book follows the lives of the nuns each dealing with their fate differently, and one novice especially who won’t accept hers.
|
|
Leslie posted a review at 2012-05-07 12:24:56.
(Language: English)
Dunant's fiction is attractive because she does such a good job of creating a complete world for your mind's image. Research's gifts are a key component of her success. As her characters struggle with the issues of their times they are also women with strength and morals who struggle and succeed not only because they are strong and smart people but also because they are women. A 15th century convent is the setting. At a time that is on the brink of restrictive religious reform, a vocally gifted young girl is forced into the nunnery by her family. The angry, rebellious beauty uses her intelligence and gifts to become one of the few who succeeds in finding herself and a path that leads out. At the heart of the action is Soura Zuanna, the exceptionally smart dispensary nun, Soura Ulimiana the novice nun and Madonna Chiara the abbess. Politics and religion are essental components of the struggle for survival. An absorbing read but maybe a bit too much on the issues of faith for me.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2009-10-15 08:14:42.
(Language: English)
Serafina lives in a Benedictine convent in Italy in the 15th century, but it is not by her choosing. When the cost of doweries rises in Italy, wealthy families force their other daughters into lives in the convents. Serafina is one of these women. This book tells her story and the stories of the other nuns who befriend her. It is a fascinating glimpse of a little-known chapter of women's history.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-04-08 01:18:34.
(Language: English)
All I can say is thank goodness it's over. And the last few chapters were riveting.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-02-04 11:35:01.
(Language: English)
Gripping read... draws the reader into the lives of sixteenth century nuns and the ultimate question: will Serafina escape from the convent? The novel is so much more than this and we find out about the subtle politics of religion and and many other aspects of convent life at this time. It is shocking that so many women were forced into convents because fathers could not afford wedding dowries. I loved the book and thought it was beautifully written with research blending seamlessly with engrossing storytelling.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2009-09-15 09:14:22.
(Language: English)
Excellent Read...love Sarah Dunant.
|
|
Linda posted a review at 2010-01-26 11:06:52.
(Language: English)
I loved both The Birth of Venus and In the Company of the Courtesan, Dunant’s previous works set during the Italian Renaissance. I read the plot synopsis for Sacred Hearts, her latest book, and my first reaction was that a book set in a convent sounded pretty boring. Knowing Dunant’s talent for creating vibrant characters and her great story telling skills I chose to read the book and I am so glad I did because it was an absorbing novel. In 16th century Italy the cost of a dowry for more than one daughter is out of reach for even the wealthiest families. Rather than going bankrupt those families with more than one marriage age daughter would often make the best marriage for one, the others would be placed in convents, where the dowry was much less. Such is the case for Serafina, the newest novice of the Santa Caterina convent in the city of Ferrara. With no say in the matter and with no regard to her religious beliefs she is sent to live a cloistered existence for the remainder of her life. Her rebellion against this decision forms the backbone to the story of women who find a way to live a life they had no choice in. The beauty of Sarah Dunant’s writing lies in her rich characterizations, as we are drawn into the story of a life we know almost nothing about. Convent life is a microcosm of society, and we become completely engrossed in the lives of these women who find life more empowering within the walls of the convent than the lives they would have lived outside the walls. Suora Zuana the daughter of a doctor who becomes the dispensary mistress; Madonna Ciara the Abbess and ruler of the convent, an iron fist within a velvet glove; Suora Benedicta the choir master; Suora Perseveranza who believes self–punishment is the road to salvation; all of these women and more become real to us. The book is clearly well researched and it shows in the rich details of even the smallest scenes without overpowering the story. As the story of Serafina is slowly revealed we are also given a story of star-crossed lovers thwarted by their families; it makes for a fascinating and entertaining story. Highly recommended.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-03-31 08:16:31.
(Language: English)
Excellent. Sarah Dunant paints very detailed and interesting characters that I enjoyed spending time with. My one complaint is that the book felt a little long, with perhaps more time dedicated to describing the churches of that world than I had the interest for. Overall I thought it was a good read.
|
| Reviews of Sacred Hearts: A Novel - Page 1 of 1 | «1»
|
Share your views!
Similar books
