Reviews

In 1962, at the age of 17, Armstrong decided to devote her life to the Catholic Church, entering the convent during a time of great change (pre-Vatican II). The nine months she spent as a postulant were "the old regime at its best." She was allowed to enter Oxford University and found great stimulation in the study of English literature and her preparation to be a teacher. Eventually she applied the critical-analytical skills she was learning to her life as a novice. Finding her vocation as a "natural student," she asked to be allowed to leave the convent. Twelve years later, Armstrong felt the need to write about her depression, her anxiety, and her inexplicable seizures. After having built a life and giving herself some distance from her earlier experiences, she is able to look at her younger self with great tenderness, humor, and objectivity. A lovely rite of passage, this program is recommended for all public and academic libraries with large audio and spiritual collections. Pam Kingsbury, Univ. of North Alabama, Florence Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

" Enjoyable and deeply interesting. . . . Very rewarding." - "San Francisco Chronicle"
" A story about becoming human, being recognized, finally recognizing oneself. . . . It fills the reader with hope." - "The Washington Post Book World"
" Riveting. . . . It's a pleasure to read simply because it's honest and hopeful. . . . Armstrong is such an evocative writer." - "Newsday"
" I loved this powerful and moving account, and read it nonstop." - Elaine Pagels, author of Beyond Belief
" In . . . Armstrong's memoir there lurks wisdom about the making and remaking of a life . . . from which all of us could learn." - "The New York Times Book Review"
" A powerful memoir. . . . Buoyed by keen intelligence and unflinching self-awareness and honesty. . . . Armstrong is an engaging, energetic writer." - "The Christian Science Monitor"
" A minor masterpiece." - "Elle
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" Exceptionally impressive. . . . Karen Armstrong's account of her spiralling journey provokes thought and inspires respect." - "Daily Telegraph"
" The story of the making of a writer. . . . It manages to dramatize the writer's process of intellectual development and to find in it genuine interest, and, indeed, suspense. . . . As an account of the intellectual journey of an intelligent and unique individual, the book is often gripping." - "San Francisco Chronicle
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" Candid and compelling, and the sentences are flawless." - "The Dallas Morning News
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" Unputdownable- absorbing, moving." - "Daily Mail"
" Remarkable. . . . Unflinching. . . . This candid memoir will clarify thinking about the search for the sacred." - "Booklist"
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"" Gripping. . . . Uplifting. . . . Utterly compelling." - "The Edmonton Journal
"" Armstrong writes with sensitivity and wisdom. . . . She employs a breadth of learning that reflects the scintillating, shifting light and shade of human experience." - "The Times "(London)
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"" Absorbing. . . . Profoundly inspiring and engaging." - "Tallahassee" "Democrat"
" An honest and affecting book." - "The Independent
"" "The Spiral Staircase" . . . is great. Armstrong is a marvelous writer and her subject matter is meaty. Her subject is the meaning of life." - "Deseret Morning News"
" Open and accessible, Armstrong manages to put into words something that most of us cannot express." - "New Statesman"
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"" Moving, insightful. . . . Compulsively readable." - "Library Journal"
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"" A subtle and funny memoir." - "Sunday Telegraph"