Love. Friendship. Sacrifice. This novel is about sisterly love – not biological sisters or sorority sisters, but religious sisters – nuns. More specifically, it is a story of women supporting each other, which I found both refreshing and different from the typical “love” narrative.

Set in an Irish Catholic part of Brooklyn, you meet the nuns of the Little Nursing Sisters of the Sick Poor, who literally stumble upon a newly widowed pregnant woman in a difficult situation. The nuns take in the widow and her (at the time unborn) child, Sally. The novel then tracks Sally’s life, through both her eyes and others.

The Ninth Hour is beautifully written; the words make it easy to imagine a time so far removed from today. I loved the Little Nursing Sisters, specifically their independence, strength, and resolve to get their hands dirty and help people in need. I also really enjoyed the historical aspects and the description of the area in Brooklyn – which, by the end, I felt I could navigate my way around.

I found the interactions between the women relatable and interesting – each had her own past, personality and view. You also get to see each woman’s relationship with Sally, who in a time dominated by men was completely surrounded by women. I found the juxtaposition between Sally’s mother, who is portrayed as morally weak, and the nuns, who are portrayed as strong, particularly intriguing. Despite their differences, the women help each other in times of need, even putting themselves in morally questionable situations?

This was my book club’s first read of the New Year – and it is did not disappoint! I highly recommend adding this novel to your reading list for 2018.

Verdict: Read it!
Length: 256 pages
Where: Cuddled up on the couch on a cold winter day.
Favorite Quote: “All things mortal bend toward ruin, Sister said, which means toward pain, toward suffering. It had always been the devil’s intention, she said, to convince human beings they were no more than animals, never angels.”

Buy The Ninth Hour HERE

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