In This House Of Brede by Rumer Godden

Paperback: 'What do you ask?' 'To try my vocation as a Benedictine in this house of Brede.'

The novel is a portrait of religious life in England that centers on Philippa Talbot, a highly successful professional woman who leaves her comfortable life among the London elite to join a cloistered Benedictine community of contemplative nuns. In this small community of just under 100 women, Philippa discovers all the human frailties - of jealousy, love and despair. Yet each crisis of heart and conscience is guided by the compassion and intelligence of the Abbess and the Sisters' shared bond of faith and ritual. It begins in 1954, as Philippa enters the monastery, Brede Abbey; continues through her solemn vows in the changing, post-Second Vatican Council environment; and ends as Philippa reluctantly accepts the call to lead a new Benedictine foundation in Japan, where she spent part of her childhood.

In 1975, CBS made a TV film of this book, filmed in both Ireland and England, starring Diana Rigg.

The novel's fictional setting, Brede Abbey, is modeled on Stanbrook Abbey, formerly located in Worcestershire.

In This House of Brede is published in 1969. (Wikipedia)

About the author: Rumer Godden (1907-1998), a well established author through Pan Macmillan and Virago Modern Classics, is considered by many to be one of the foremost English language authors of the 20th century. Nine of her books have been made into films. She won The Whitbread Award for Children’s Literature in 1972 and was awarded the OBE in 1993. In 2007 Cambridge University honoured her by holding a Symposium of her work to celebrate her Centenary. 

Rumer Godden wrote some 60 works during her life, drawing on her experiences of life in India and Britain. The influence of India is reflected in Black Narcissus, The River, Kingfisher’s Catch Fire, Breakfast with the Nikolides and recently republished, The Lady and the Unicorn. Her time in France influenced the dramatic Greengage Summer and Gypsy Gypsy. Her dancing career is reflected in A Candle for St Jude and Thursdays Children, and her interest in the religious life is shown in In This House of Brede and Five for Sorrow Ten for Joy.

She also wrote short stories, poetry and many books for children. The best known being The Dolls House, The Diddakoi and The Story of Holly and Ivy. Her books have been translated into many languages and most are now available as e-books.

Rating: 5/5