In: Catholocism| Cultural History| Historical Fiction| Sacred Hearts| Sarah Dunant| Women's Studies
28 Jul 2009Dear Anne Muirhead …… woke up to your comment in Kansas City. The aim to somehow recreate the experiences of these women so many centuries ago, both psychological and religious, made this the toughest book I had ever written, so if in some way it rang true to you then i am utterly delighted. And oh yes, I have been following the story of the Vatican’s move to curb the activities of American nuns with great interest and talk about it wherever I go. One does not write history in order to comment on the present ( it is hard enough to write to get the past right), but when it happens its as if a light bulb goes on…. please lets talk more about it. I will be at the Adelaide festival in February and then on tour. It would be great to meet, but also to start a debate on line. Or perhaps there already is one. In which case please point me at it..
as to the postulate! I will send my web master ( great terms isn”t it) a message today.
... to my open forum. Although I will be posting my own ideas, thoughts, and experiences the primary aim of this blog is to broaden the discussion long after the last page has been turned. Please feel free to comment on my books, art history, culture, media, herbalism, travel, literature, history, etc. Engaging with my audience and connecting people through dialogue is important to me, so don't be shy.
2 Responses to vatican and sacred hearts
Amanda Houck
August 3rd, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Sarah -
What a gift to experience your journey. Last summer we watched as you finished “Sacred Hearts.” Wednesday, we had the opportunity to hear the story at Politics + Prose in DC.
Yet again, the depth of knowledge that you take into your writing and out makes for brilliant reading. I’ve just finished “Sacred Hearts.” I was entranced through-out, and when I reached the end, my heart stood still.
Thank you, Sarah.
Amanda
Divinity marked every chapter in your characters and in my heart. My admiration for you as a writer and a woman runs deep. You are in a league of your own.
I wish you a fabulous finish to your US tour.
XO, Amanda
anthony melgrave
August 24th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Sarah, I am a London born 82 yr old who has lived in Calgary some 52 years;ret’t anesthetist. Have read of Venice/courtesans;Lucrezia Borgia’s long wagon train trouseau going to marry Ercole Duke of Ferrara; Cesare;Renaissance Florence;the Medici;The Prince.;Leonardo….. Your ‘Sacred Hearts’ is FABULOUS/SUPERB. I have read Part 1 so far.Your descriptions of emotions, thoughts and incidents give a wonderful picture,and it is beautifully written. I googled ‘parlatorio’:the nuns could actually stand next to, and talk to, their friends,relatives??Please tell me. Galileo’s daughter could ONLY talk to her father thru a grille:I recently reread her story:they were very close,but I never could see why he chose the Poor Clares for her. Do you know?.She worked the dispensary like S.Zuana. Best Wishes Tony M /MB,BS Lon;FRCP(C)