A druid-turned-nun writes of faith, love, loss, and religion in this “beautifully written and thought-provoking book” set at the dawn of Ireland’s Christian era (Library Journal) Cloistered in a stone cell at the monastery of Saint Brigit, a sixth-century Irish nun secretly records the memories of her Pagan youth, interrupting her assigned task of transcribing Augustine and Patrick. She revisits … and Patrick. She revisits her past, piece by piece—her fiercely independent mother, whose skill with healing plants and inner strength she inherited; her druid teacher, the brusque and magnetic Giannon, who introduced her to the mysteries of the written language.
But disturbing events at the cloister keep intervening. As the monastery is rent by vague and fantastic accusations, Gwynneve’s words become the one force that can save her from annihilation.
more
Fascinating story -It seemed so real that I was disappointed that it was not a true account.
A well researched and beautifully written account of a female Druid’s journey into the life of Christian nun. Kate Horsley reveals life in sixth-century Ireland through Gwynneve’s reflections as she records her life while serving the monastery of Saint Bridget as a transcriber.
Gwynneve’s personal conclusions are thought provoking and rich with insight to much of what could easily apply to the 20th century. I loved this story!
Interesting read of the Catholic Church in Ireland during the time of St Patrick and how women were treated.
Historical fact and fiction. great read
Very interesting read! Hard to put down. Very realistic and chilling depiction of the time of Christianity replacing the pagans.
An interesting and thought provoking tale expressing well the tensions and brutality of cultural and religious change as Roman Christianity seeks dominance over what it views as paganism. Very well written page turner.
very hard to get into the book.
Very different. I felt like I was in her shoes. I’ve read more than once and will re-read again I’m sure.
Didn’t like how it ended
I will be re-reading this book soon because it offers so much to think about. Gwynneve is reared in a pagan tribe in 6th century Ireland. She has a very active mind and learns as much as she can from her mother who is a healer and who knows the properties of all the plant that grow in their woods. She learns that one Druid who visits their village “has the power of words” which means he not only has the gift of the druidic oral tradition, but he can also read and write. Gwynneve becomes fascinated by this ability, but by the man himself. When her mother dies of a prolonged illness, she leaves home to follow her dreams. This road she follows offers as many rewards as it does hardships. In her later years she joins a convent of Christian nuns where she becomes a scribe transcribing and translating texts. She also records the story of her life secretly with parchment and ink pilfered from her official duties. Her story is both full of simple joys and great poignancy. Because her time is about a century after St. Patrick in Ireland, it is a time of great change: Christian missionaries come to convert the people from paganism, which causes Gwynneve to ponder on the changes and the nature of religion.
I enjoyed this book not only for the story line, but also the author’s delicate touch in handling the great cultural upheaval that came along with the missionaries.
well written and I like the idea of the diary format.
Many tidbits to look up, like locations and further information about here experiences like the belief that death was caused by worms – I found this fascinating especially after just having finished reading Mabinogion – the Welsh early history, earlier than St. Patrick – this takes place after St. Patrick – She was a Celtic nun who like most converted to Christianity – she learned to read and write from the Druids who were known for a 1000 years as the best teachers – so much that even Caesar sent his sons to Britain to be educated by the Druids. It is taking me awhile to read since I enjoy researching further anything that is new to me.
Informative view of the early church and the difficulties of those who have naturalistic beliefs in understanding the concept of Christianity in Ireland.
This was a truly compelling tale, that took me away to a different and distant world during the quarantine. What a fascinating view of the Druid – Christian transitional era, as the old ways gave way to the new.
Kate Horsley begins with a well-crafted Translator’s Note to acquaint you with her subject matter, then she deftly drops you into the world of the Middle Ages and the advent of Christianity to the pagan residents of sixth century Ireland. Confessions of a Pagan Nun takes you on a spiritual journey through the eyes of Gwynneve, a young girl nurtured by her mother, then cast adrift to find her way in a man’s world with her sole talent her gift of writing. Ms. Horsley blends the history of this era with old Gaelic language and the strange newness of the Christian philosophy to bring us a story that’s moving and deeply heartfelt. I ached for Gwynneve as I read her journal, joined her on her quest to find meaning in her life, and wept with her when her world failed to support her. This tiny book is a beautiful inward and outward view to a time we can only imagine.