A Nun in the Closet

Sister John and Sister Hyacinth are wonderful characters and they do triumph over evil as one would hope, but not without making one laugh out loud. What a great little Gilman novel, even though its situation is a bit out-of-date, its humor is timeless. One has to imagine the Sister Ursula of the closet to look a bit like some old Broderick Crawford character role. Gruff and needy to the max, with unexpected aide from strong-willed out of the cloister nuns. Wouldn't you know that the nuns would meet with other ways of seeing God, typical enrichment by Gilman? This was another pick up and read title of a novel by an author I have recently come to admire. And I do highly recommend your enjoyment of a definite period piece. It feels like it should be put to film in black and white, or just in some quirky feel-good comedic fashion. Wholesome and fun! Do give it a try!

Dorothy Gilman's books are what I choose to read when I am tired or stressed and need a lift. A Nun in the Closet remains one of my favorites. It's impossible to stay blue while reading of Sister John's innocent exploits with drugs, the mob, and migrant workers- she's just so funny. I love the way Gilman humanizes the mature woman in her books- no stereotypical doddering at all. I recommend highly any of her writings.

This is one of the funniest books I ever read -- and I never tire of rereading it. Two cloistered nuns encounter a wounded gangster and, in order to protect him, have to try to pass him off as a nun. It is very witty and hysterically funny. VERY highly recommended.

While this story of the not-so-coincidental juxtaposition of cloistered nuns, hippies, migrant workers, and the Mafia -is- dated for the millenium, it's as classically humorous and quietly thought-provoking as Sayers or Christie at their very best. I adore this book, as did my aging mother, and I've read it aloud to her numerous times. It's a delight, and definitely a keeper.

Are you stressed out from the holidays? Is life too much for you to face? Then read this book! It is a complete delight. When two cloistered nuns get out to explore their abbey's inheritance, all "you know what" breaks loose! This book is so much fun to read, that I was truly sorry when I finished it. I sure hope there's a sequel!