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Amen: The autobiography of a nun
by
Sister Jesme
On 31 August 2008, sister Jesme left the congregation of Mother of Carmel. The authorities' repeated attempts to have her declared insane, she says, left her no other option. This book, a first of its kind in India, is an outpouring of her experiences as a nun for thirty three years.
Searing, sincere and sensitive, Amen is a plea for a reformation of the church and comes at ...more
Searing, sincere and sensitive, Amen is a plea for a reformation of the church and comes at ...more
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Community Reviews
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When I finished reading the book, the first thought that came to my mind was “This is possible. In fact, I am sure this happens.” We are dealing with Human Beings and therefore, we are dealing with human emotions as they are experienced by people regardless of the environment in which they live. I found the book shocking in pieces and not so shocking with some other details. Places of worship, regardless of the religion, are places that are run by Human Beings. They have feelings and they all ne
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It's revelation that one hardly expects to know. She is sincere about putting her problems that authority seemingly ignores like corruption and homosexuality. Church should not function like it used to be in 7the century......Good book to know more about life inside convent.
Turning water into whine
Blame me for expecting something explosive. This was nothing more than the long rant of a disgruntled employee. The fact that she was a nun is just an added bonus. As a saying goes, if there's a devil residing in the roof of every normal household, there's a devil residing in each rafter in a convent. A house full of women where everyone is everyone's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, the stuff Ekta Kapoor's dreams are made of. And the poor husband, Jesus Christ, looks a ...more
Blame me for expecting something explosive. This was nothing more than the long rant of a disgruntled employee. The fact that she was a nun is just an added bonus. As a saying goes, if there's a devil residing in the roof of every normal household, there's a devil residing in each rafter in a convent. A house full of women where everyone is everyone's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, the stuff Ekta Kapoor's dreams are made of. And the poor husband, Jesus Christ, looks a ...more
Where most of the books found in South India speak flawlessly of a perfect world where rock solid foundation of Christianity is sparkling and blissful combination of peace and joy, here comes a book that shakes the very foundation to its roots. From the slippery slope of sexual exploitation to the rocky roads of systematic corruption and abject racism, comes a book that is a sum total of thirty three years of facing the reality behind the iron dark walls of the Christian self proclaimed Infallib
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Heartbreaking but nothing stunning..it only gives an insider's account of church and congregation, most of which is already guessed and known partially to the outside world, thanks to media reports. However, one has to give the credit to Sr Jesme for not only openly speaking about it but also for showing the courage to write an autobiography. Though, a sensitive piece of writing, at times, Sr Jesme seems to be a little too sensitive about things. I do not doubt her attempt to be open and honest
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As suggested by a friend, this book did tell me about how missionary functions but it as the title says, just an autobiography. The book is written well enough to tell its reader that what happens in the closets of the church.
Though through this book, I started to like Sister Jesme and her courage.
Though through this book, I started to like Sister Jesme and her courage.
You already know what is happening inside the monasteries, ashrams and other so called "religious" institutions.
So for an average Indian the book gives no shocks. You will definitely appreciate the sincerity of the author and any sensible person can understand that nothing in the book is made up.
So for an average Indian the book gives no shocks. You will definitely appreciate the sincerity of the author and any sensible person can understand that nothing in the book is made up.
A very brave and daring attempt by a nun to throw light on the darkest corners of the catholic church. Similar stories will surely occur in any major religion, much in contrast to professed tenets and beliefs of the same. Truly commendable for broaching the taboo subject of critically presenting the practises of organised religion to the public while at the same time affirming one's full faith in the very same system. But becomes slightly tiring for the reader to go through passages that repeate
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Mar 27, 2012
Vikash (Othersideofsmoke.blogspot.in)
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction
On the front cover of AMEN(atleast in the one I have) you notice a line on the top, it starts with the words, 'a taboo breaking.........'. It is definitely so and is may be 'certainly' the first-of-its-kind in India, but it tells what you wanted to hear. It is an eye opener of sorts when you read about corruption, neopotism, and sexual harassment inside the congregation, but is not all honest to the core is a kind of feeling one might have. Amen has its moments no doubt especially where sr Jesme
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Always been sceptical of the Church and the life it forces its own to live, but reading this was still disturbing - to know how petty, and small-minded and un-interested in God the Church can be.
And I know Sister Jesme is an M.Phil, PhD and all, but the book could probably have done with better editing. The structure was hard to follow and the narrative jumps from one event to the next. It was hard keeping track of which college she was at and who the main sisters were.
But still, good read.
And I know Sister Jesme is an M.Phil, PhD and all, but the book could probably have done with better editing. The structure was hard to follow and the narrative jumps from one event to the next. It was hard keeping track of which college she was at and who the main sisters were.
But still, good read.
Amen a book written by sister Jesme in which she writes about the sexual harassments by the priests and closet homosexuality within nun ranks. Sister Jesme, 52, who was the Principal of St Mary’s College, Thrissur, till last August when she quit the Congregation of Mother.
She has disclosed the “dirty secrets” of the Church administration. How, under the hood of nun-hood and priest-hood, and the entire celibacy thing, sexual harrassment and abuse is rampant
She has disclosed the “dirty secrets” of the Church administration. How, under the hood of nun-hood and priest-hood, and the entire celibacy thing, sexual harrassment and abuse is rampant
This book is a simple, straightforward and what I believe to be honest, look at what goes on behind the secret walls of convents and churches. The book gives the author a chance to talk about her side of the story and while doing so, she has shown that for all the vows and the prayers and the respect society heaps on them, many priests and nuns are just like most normal people.
One of the most boring books i have ever read. The topic is interesting, but she writes about the interesting parts in only a few lines and the boring mundane parts in excruciating details. And it's all written in bad English. She seems like a nice lady, but she should never be allowed to write a book ever again.
not so well written but makes up by effort. an insight into the innards of the church. stuff u probably suspected but never sure about. in insight why would i be surprised. these scandals break out every now and then about some religious order or the other.
It is an amazing book with amazing revelations. Not many have the courage to take on the establishment and very few have the articulation to convey an experience as traumatic as the one described, so graphically
A rather courageous book about wrong-doings in a convent.
More here:
http://inkquilletc.blogspot.in/2013/1...
More here:
http://inkquilletc.blogspot.in/2013/1...
Aug 23, 2015
Aswajith
added it
a shocking revelation of nun.I appreciate the effort she had put to bring this product out despite threats from many corners.
Outburst of a nun who was sentenced for life term imprisonment by religion.
A book which forces you to rethink of whatever you had been taught as kids...
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