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In Rumer Godden's mesmerising classic, 'Black Narcissus', the boundaries between devotion and madness blur amidst the breathtaking Himalayan peaks. A once-vibrant palace, formerly home to a General's harem, now stands abandoned and eerie atop a mountain. Sister Clodagh and her fellow nuns arrive, determined to transform this 'House of Women' into the Convent of St Faith.
As the Sisters of Mary toil to establish their school and hospital, they find themselves closer to the heavens than ever before. However, the mountain's isolation and emptiness begin to exact a terrible price, awakening long-suppressed desires with devastating results.
Godden's masterful prose weaves a tale of faith, passion, and the human spirit pushed to its limits. Critics have hailed 'Black Narcissus' as a 'remarkable and beautiful book' (Daily Telegraph), with author Amanda Coe expressing envy for those experiencing it for the first time. Tessa Hadley lauds Godden as a 'masterly novelist', whilst Rosie Thomas praises the work as 'distinctive, poised and entirely unsentimental'.
Prepare to be captivated by this stunning exploration of the human psyche, where the line between spiritual enlightenment and madness becomes perilously thin.
Book ISBN: | 9780349017501 |
Book Author: | Rumer Godden |
Book Format: | Paperback / softback |
Book Imprint: | Virago Press Ltd |
Book Publisher: | Little, Brown Book Group |
Book Dimensions: | 198 x 130 x 18 cm |
Book Publication Date: | 2025-02-13 |
Book Pagination: | 272 pages |
Book Weight: | 224g |
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’