Finally, with so many good reviews from friends, I pulled it off the shelf by my treadmill where it had been calling my name every time I walked or ran. I bought this book used in NJ at least 15 years ago and it has survived many, many purgings of my library and yet, I never found the gumption to read it. Than when I started the book, but the life of faith rings true at Brede as well as in my own life among my own failings.

No, I do not want to join a monastery anymore now This book was a beautiful testimony of how grace works in all of our lives. My favorite part of this book was the grace shown to the failures of many of the women and how God worked all things together for good in realistic ways in each of their lives. By page 200 I would call this a page-turner, and yet why? Only surprisingly wonderful writing. It felt like the rest of the book could not possibly be interesting and yet, it was often quite exciting.

I wanted to scream at Philippa not to join a monastery. I did not love the theme at all at first. Well-Read Mom has reprinted In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden to share with a new generation of readers.This is an astonishingly good book. It is a place where Philippa, to her own surprise and her friend's astonishment, finds her life by losing it.' Loyola Press Edition - back cover In this gripping narrative of the crises surrounding the ancient Brede abbey, Rumer Godden penetrates to the mysterious, inner heart of a religious community - a place of complexity and conflict, as well as joy and love. 'This extraordinarily sensitive and insightful portrait of religious life centers on Philippa Talbot, a highly successful professional woman who leaves her life among the London Elite to join a cloistered Benedictine community.

'It is my own peace I give unto you.' not, notice, the world's peace.' - Prologue Pax: peace, but what a strange peace, made of unremitting toil and effort, seldom with a seen result subject to constant interruptions, unexpected demands, short sleep at nights, little comfort, sometimes scant food beset with disappointments and usually misunderstood yet peace all the same, undeviating, filled with joy and gratitude and love. 'The motto was 'Pax', but the word was set in a circle of thorns. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate international shipping at this time.

In this house of brede by rumer godden