The Tulip and the Pope: A Nun's Story

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The story of novelist and poet Deborah Larsen's young womanhood, The Tulip and the Pope is both an exquisitely crafted spiritual memoir and a beautifully nuanced view of life in the convent.In midsummer of 1960, nineteen-year-old Deborah shares a cab to a convent. She and the teenage girls with her, passionate to become nuns, heedless of all they are leaving behind, smoke their last cigarettes before entering their new lives. In the same artful prose that distinguished her novel The White , Larsen's memoir lets us into the hushed life of the convent. She captures the exquisite peace she found there, as well as the extreme constriction of the rules and her gradual awareness of all that she is missing. Eventually the physical world—the lush tulip she remembers seeing as a girl, the snow she tunneled in, and even the mystery of sex—begins to seem to her an alternative theater for a deep understanding and love of God.

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Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 38 votes)
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38 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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This was a story of a girl who entered a convent in the 1960s. Her journey was filled with challenges and self-discovery.

She had to adapt to the strict rules and routines of the convent life. The author vividly described the girl's experiences, from her initial hesitation to her gradual acceptance and growth within the convent walls.

I found myself completely engaged in her story, empathizing with her struggles and celebrating her achievements. The book provided a unique perspective on life in a convent during that era, and I learned a great deal from it.

Overall, I enjoyed the book for the most part. It was a thought-provoking and engaging read that left a lasting impression on me.

I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in history, religion, or personal growth.
July 15,2025
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Folliowing of Cloiser nuns is a fascinating topic. These nuns have chosen a life of seclusion and devotion within the walls of a cloister. They live a simple and disciplined existence, dedicated to prayer, study, and work. The cloister provides them with a peaceful and protected environment, allowing them to focus on their spiritual journey. The daily routine of the Cloiser nuns is filled with religious services, meditation, and the study of religious texts. They also engage in manual labor, such as gardening, cooking, and sewing. This combination of spiritual and practical activities helps them to maintain a balance in their lives. The Folliowing of Cloiser nuns is not only a way of life for these women, but also a source of inspiration for others. Their commitment to their faith and their selfless dedication to serving God and humanity is truly remarkable.

July 15,2025
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A memoir penned by a Gettysburg College professor offers a fascinating glimpse into her life as a nun during the 1960s. The professor takes readers on a journey through her experiences, sharing the joys, challenges, and profound spiritual growth that she encountered during that era.


The 1960s was a time of great social and cultural change, and the professor's memoir provides a unique perspective on how these changes affected the Catholic Church and the lives of nuns. She describes the daily routine of life in the convent, the strict rules and regulations that governed their behavior, and the deep sense of community and sisterhood that existed among the nuns.


Readers will be captivated by the professor's vivid descriptions of her experiences, from the solemnity of religious ceremonies to the simple pleasures of daily life. Her memoir is a testament to the power of faith and the importance of following one's calling, even in the face of great change and uncertainty. Overall, this memoir is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the Catholic Church, the 1960s, or the human experience.

July 15,2025
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A Tender Memoir of a Young Woman's Journey in and out of the Convent


This is a tender memoir that delves into the experiences of a young woman who entered, and later left, the Roman Catholic convent in the early 1960s. For me, having chosen a semblance of the religious life myself, this book served as a vicarious expedition of another's journey during a time of profound societal change.


In essence, the writer was gradually drawn away by the allure and greater expanse of life and living outside the cloister. As we read, we witness the minute but significant changes in her perceptions and awareness while she was cloistered. There were moments in the book that brought tears to my eyes. We all make our choices in life, and Larsen made hers, just as I have made my own. I found myself completely enamored with this book. It offered a unique and poignant perspective on a journey that many of us can only imagine. It made me reflect on my own choices and the paths that have led me to where I am today.
July 15,2025
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The Tulip and The Pope, subtitled “A Nun’s Story,” offers a fascinating account. Deborah Larsen, who took vows as a sister of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the 1960s, shares her experiences in the convent. Despite leaving after several years, her insights into the cloistered life are invaluable. Her clear and lovely writing style, with frequent use of metaphors, makes the book engaging. It explores various aspects of Catholicism, yet is accessible even to Protestants like me. Having worked at a Catholic school, I have some knowledge of Catholicism, but this book is still easy to understand. It presents an interesting picture of a life lived both apart and then as part of the world.


One image that stood out for me was during the evening Tenebrae service in Holy Week. All the lights in the church were extinguished, and every candle was snuffed out. The regular adult choir, high above in their loft, took hymnbooks and banged on their pews. This signified the rending of the veil of the temple at the moment the Lord died. It was a powerful and vivid description that added to the overall atmosphere of the book.

July 15,2025
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There has been a very mixed reaction to this book.

I, for one, enjoy spiritual memoirs and found the story of what it was like to become a nun truly fascinating and a little endearing. The writing style was gentle and insightful, which made it a pleasure to read.

However, the end was like taking a giant leap off a cliff and ending with a splat. SPOILER ALERT: It's not really that surprising that she ended up leaving the convent. But what was so disappointing and tragic is that she left from something - albeit an imperfect something, perhaps - to basically nothing. Her passion for God, which seemed so strong at one point, was completely gone and replaced by nothing.

She had such a deep soul, or so it seemed, and yet it appeared that she did nothing with the rest of her life to nurture that beautiful soul. It's truly disappointing and sad to think about how her journey ended.

This book had so much potential, but the ending really let it down. It makes you wonder what could have happened if she had found a way to continue to nourish her spiritual side even after leaving the convent.

Overall, while the beginning and middle of the book were engaging, the ending left a lot to be desired.
July 15,2025
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An interesting view of convent life in the 1960s is presented, yet his memoir remains behind a veil. The 60s were a period of limited, yet suddenly not-so-limited opportunities for women seeking options in life. Our main character/author departs from the convent before taking final vows. The prose is rather stilted, and the structure is somewhat broken. Although the author writes about personal subjects, I am left with no perception of what the daily reality of her situation must have been like. It's as if you can see the penguins behind the glass but cannot touch, taste, or smell anything. It would have been more fascinating if she could have had the courage to write about the convent without the approval of her ex-sisterhood. Perhaps she would have been freer to address the big issues in a more detailed, blow-by-blow manner. Ultimately, she is too timid. However, maybe an ex-nun of her generation would never be able to write, or even desire to write, the much more interesting story that is alluded to in these pages but is never truly told.

July 15,2025
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OK.

There is really nothing special to report.

It seems like an ordinary day with the usual routine.

I woke up, had my breakfast, and then went about my daily tasks.

There were no unexpected events or exciting developments.

It was just a typical day, filled with the ordinary activities that make up our lives.

Sometimes, these ordinary days can be quite comforting, as they provide a sense of stability and routine.

But at other times, we might long for something more extraordinary to happen.

However, for now, it's just another day of doing the same old things.

Maybe tomorrow will bring something different.

Only time will tell.
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