In the tradition of Thomas Merton, Kathleen Norris gives us an intimate look at how religious life fills a gap in the soul. Her poetic sensibilities internalize the monastery as a symbol of spirituality, with its sanctity and humor, questioning and uncertainty, rhythm and vigor. Beyond moral precepts and Bible stories, Cloister Walk is a very personal account of religion lived fully. It depicts a depth and beauty of spirituality in monastic life that has survived the vicissitudes of Roman Catholic politics and pomp.

From Publishers Weekly
The allure of the monastic life baffles most lay people, but in her second book Norris (Dakota) goes far in explaining it. The author, raised Protestant, has been a Benedictine oblate, or lay associate, for 10 years, and has lived at a Benedictine monastery in Minnesota for two. Here, she compresses these years of experience into the diary of one liturgical year, offering observations on subjects ranging from celibacy to dealing with emotions to Christmas music. Like the liturgy she loves, this meandering, often repetitive book is perhaps best approached through the lectio divina practiced by the Benedictines, in which one tries to "surrender to whatever word or phrase captures the attention." There is a certain nervous facility to some of Norris's jabs at academics, and she is sometimes sanctimonious. But there is no doubting her conviction, exemplified in her defense of the much-maligned Catholic "virgin martyrs," whose relevance and heroism she wants to redeem for feminists. What emerges, finally, is an affecting portrait?one of the most vibrant since Merton's?of the misunderstood, often invisible world of monastics, as seen by a restless, generous intelligence. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
"The monastery has been a haven where I could come, and stay a while, and work things out," poet Norris writes in her latest work of nonfiction since she explored the landscape of her imagination in Dakota: A Spiritual Geography (LJ 12/92). Norris spent two nine-month terms as an oblate, or associate, at a Benedictine monastery in Minnesota; though raised Protestant, she came to understand that "for years literature had seemed an adequate substitute for religion in my life." Racked by marital strife and weary of the "literary hothouse" of the big city when she arrives, Norris finds the liturgical rhythms of the community of monks restorative and delights in the lectio continua, or continual reading through of the books of the Bible, especially the "ancient poetry" of the Psalms. Her narrative is structured as a diary, punctuated by thoughtful meditations about virgin saints or Emily Dickinson and startling examples of spirituality in the "real world." Whether she is sharing the brothers', and sisters', views on the challenge and freedom of celibacy, or the private letter of her "borderline" sister, Norris marvelously and with dignity conveys "the great human task?to learn to live, and love, and die." A courageous, heartening work; for all libraries. [Norris was once an LJ reviewer; see "Kathleen Norris: A Spiritual Geography," LJ 1/94, p. 59.?Ed.]?Amy Boaz, "Library Journal.-?Amy Boaz, "Library Journal"Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The New York Times Book Review, Robert Coles
Her writing is personal, epigrammatic--a series of short takes that ironically address the biggest subject matter possible: how one ought to live a life, with what purposes in mind. She is one of history's writing pilgrims but also a contemporary American one, boldly willing to forsake any number of cultural fads, trends and preoccupations in favor of this "walk," this searching expedition within herself. . . .

From AudioFile
A life-long Protestant, Norris gives insight into the lives of Benedictine monks in this absorbing story of her decade as an oblate at a monastery. Through her very open eyes, we move to a better understanding of the cloistered life: ceremonies, daily tasks and rituals, desires. Much like the monastic life, this is a "no frills" recordingÐno music, no introduction. Winger's distinct, regional accent adds authenticity. Above all, this recording succeeds in explaining that our existence can be enriched by paying attention to the spiritual lives of monastics. R.A.P. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
This exquisite chronicle of spiritual discovery, which begins with the dawn, ends with the night, and spans a liturgical year, picks up where Norris' highly acclaimed Dakota (1992) left off. Here she delves even more deeply into the source of her initially "incomprehensible" attraction to the Benedictine order. Why would a poet and a married woman, raised as a Protestant and long disaffected with the church, find solace and inspiration in the monastic life? In the process of answering this question, Norris reassesses the profound significance of community, ritual, and symbol. As she describes Benedictine liturgy and how hearing Scripture read aloud fine-tunes the soul, she discerns the alignment of imagination and faith, of "monastic practice and the discipline of writing." Poets, Norris explains, like men and women of the church, are devoted to recognizing and celebrating the sacredness of life. Norris expands upon this insight as she considers celibacy, virgin martyrs, metaphor, marriage, the poetry of Emily Dickinson, and the benefits of living intentionally rather than casually. A deeply moving encounter with the heart and mind of a writer devoted to the highest level of inquiry. Donna Seaman

About the Author
Kathleen Norris is an award-winning poet and the author of Dakota: A Spiritual Geography, as well as three volumes of poetry, the most recent of them Little Girls in Church. A recipient of grants from the Bush and Guggenheim foundations, she has been in residence twice at the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural research at St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, and has been, for ten years, an oblate of Assumption Abbey in North Dakota. She and her husband live in South Dakota.

ANNOTATION

The New York Times bestseller by the author of Dakota: A Spiritual Geography. After spending two extended residences at a Benedictine monastery, Kathleen Norris takes readers through one liturgical year--its rituals, its prayers, its daily activities. Through her accessible prose, a seemingly archaic world becomes immediate, accessible, and relevant to people of all faiths. 400 pp. Author tour. National media publicity. 85,000 print. (Inspirational)

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Why would a married woman with a thoroughly Protestant background and often more doubt than faith be drawn to the ancient practice of monasticism, to a community of celibate men whose days are centered around a rigid schedule of prayer, work, and scripture? This is the question that Kathleen Norris herself asks as, somewhat to her own surprise, she found herself on two extended residencies at a Benedictine monastery. Yet upon leaving the monastery, she began to feel herself transformed, and the daily events of her life on the Great Plains - from her morning walk to her going to sleep at night - gradually took on new meaning. She found that in the monastery, time slowed down, offering a new perspective on community, family, and even small-town life. By coming to understand the Benedictine practice of celibacy, she felt her own marriage enriched; through the communal reading aloud of the psalms every day, her notion of the ancient oral tradition of poetry came to life; and even the mundane task of laundry took on new meaning through the lens of Benedictine ritual. Writing with lyrical grace, Kathleen Norris here takes us through a liturgical year, as she experienced it both within the monastery and outside it. She shows us, from the rare perspective of someone who is both insider and outsider, how immersion in the cloistered world - its liturgy, its rituals, its sense of community - can impart meaning to everyday events and deepen our secular lives. Through her masterly prose and rare insight, the monastery, often considered archaic or otherworldly, becomes immediate, accessible, and relevant to us, no matter what our faith may be.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The allure of the monastic life baffles most lay people, but in her second book Norris (Dakota) goes far in explaining it. The author, raised Protestant, has been a Benedictine oblate, or lay associate, for 10 years, and has lived at a Benedictine monastery in Minnesota for two. Here, she compresses these years of experience into the diary of one liturgical year, offering observations on subjects ranging from celibacy to dealing with emotions to Christmas music. Like the liturgy she loves, this meandering, often repetitive book is perhaps best approached through the lectio divina practiced by the Benedictines, in which one tries to "surrender to whatever word or phrase captures the attention." There is a certain nervous facility to some of Norris's jabs at academics, and she is sometimes sanctimonious. But there is no doubting her conviction, exemplified in her defense of the much-maligned Catholic "virgin martyrs," whose relevance and heroism she wants to redeem for feminists. What emerges, finally, is an affecting portrait-one of the most vibrant since Merton's-of the misunderstood, often invisible world of monastics, as seen by a restless, generous intelligence. (Apr.)

Library Journal

Norris's acuity, writing talent, and ten years as an oblate at a Catholic Benedictine monastery have well equipped her to enlighten outsiders to the true ways and spirit of monastic life or, as she refers to it, the real world. Norris, a Protestant, describes how community life is the essence of humanity and celibacy an opportunity for transformation. She demonstrates the applicability of ancient scriptures and liturgies to modern times and tells how daily psalm-reading and prayer, ceremonies, and rituals helped her to overcome depression and gain inner peace. Norris, herself a poet, draws many parallels between the monastic and the poet, both of whom are fine-tuned to see the sacred potential in all things. Actress Debra Winger reads Norris's refreshing and highly inspirational book. For popular spirituality collections.Barbara J. Vaughan, State Univ. Coll. at Buffalo Lib., N.Y.

AudioFile - Robin F. Whitten

Without introduction, not even the announcement of the book's title, Debra Winger immerses listeners in this firsthand account of Kathleen Norris's monastic journey. Commencing the way this audio production does, Winger immediately reinforces a sense of intimacy, a powerful element to these reflections. Her presentation style underscores the simplicity of Norris's years as an oblate in a Benedictine monastery. "Listen" is the first word of the Benedictine's rule for monasteries. How fitting that audio becomes a vehicle to share Norris's insights on monastic ritual, from the reading of Psalms to conversations about celibacy. Winger gives attention to pace and detail, establishing a smooth rhythm for the narration. Norris reflects on her instructions for the lector reading of passages-- "no emoting." Winger senses this caution and relies on the poetic language and images within the text. The mention of a "scarlet dress" worn by Norris stands out in vivid contrast to the neutral ground of her contemplation. The three-hour abridgment of CLOISTER WALK is over all too soon. The program encourages further exploration of the reflections Norris has to share. Norris's AMAZING GRACE is now available, read once again by Debra Winger. R.F.W. c AudioFile, Portland, Maine

AudioFile - Rachel Astarte Piccione

A life-long Protestant, Norris gives insight into the lives of Benedictine monks in this absorbing story of her decade as an oblate at a monastery. Through her very open eyes, we move to a better understanding of the cloistered life: ceremonies, daily tasks and rituals, desires. Much like the monastic life, this is a no frills recording no music, no introduction. Winger's distinct, regional accent adds authenticity. Above all, this recording succeeds in explaining that our existence can be enriched by paying attention to the spiritual lives of monastics. R.A.P. cAudioFile, Portland, Maine

Molly McQuade