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Review
'The English language is still a superb instrument in the hands of a writer who has a virtuoso skill with words, a robust aesthetic passion, an indomitable curiosity and a rapturous historical imagination' (Observer )
'The genius of Patrick Leigh Fermor is a many splendoured thing. Soldier, traveller, writer, Phihellene ... he has already dazzled and delighted ... It is some time since more truth and beauty were distilled into a hundred pages' (Stewart Perowne )
'A brilliant book' (Sunday Times )
'Delightful ... His book is not only an admirable piece of travel writing; it is also a brilliant piece of human exploration' (New Statesman )
'Introspection, history, reportage have their balanced places in a well-written book ... measured and lucent' (Sunday Times )
'Patrick Leigh Fermor is a stylish, superb master of words, which he savours like the choicest vintage' (The Times )
'What a delight it is to read a book so beautifully and sensitively written' (Observer )
'A most successful attempt to portray the reactions of the man of the world (in the literal sense) when confronted with the monastic life' (Daily Telegraph )
'Delightful, lucidly written work of introspection that evokes the hardship and the rewards of the solitary life, as well as its beauty' (The Glasgow Herald )
'John Murray is doing the decent thing and reissuing all of Leigh Fermor's main books ... But what else would you expect from a publisher whose commitment to geography is such that for more than two centuries it has widened our understanding of the world?' (Geographical Magazine )
'A pleasure and an instruction to read' (Irish Times )
'Bringing the landscape alive as no other writer can, he uses his profound and eclectic understanding of cultures and peoples ... to paint vivid pictures - nobody has illuminated the geography of Europe better' (Geographical Magazine )
'The genius of Patrick Leigh Fermor is a many splendoured thing. Soldier, traveller, writer, Phihellene ... he has already dazzled and delighted ... It is some time since more truth and beauty were distilled into a hundred pages' (Stewart Perowne )
'A brilliant book' (Sunday Times )
'Delightful ... His book is not only an admirable piece of travel writing; it is also a brilliant piece of human exploration' (New Statesman )
'Introspection, history, reportage have their balanced places in a well-written book ... measured and lucent' (Sunday Times )
'Patrick Leigh Fermor is a stylish, superb master of words, which he savours like the choicest vintage' (The Times )
'What a delight it is to read a book so beautifully and sensitively written' (Observer )
'A most successful attempt to portray the reactions of the man of the world (in the literal sense) when confronted with the monastic life' (Daily Telegraph )
'Delightful, lucidly written work of introspection that evokes the hardship and the rewards of the solitary life, as well as its beauty' (The Glasgow Herald )
'John Murray is doing the decent thing and reissuing all of Leigh Fermor's main books ... But what else would you expect from a publisher whose commitment to geography is such that for more than two centuries it has widened our understanding of the world?' (Geographical Magazine )
'A pleasure and an instruction to read' (Irish Times )
'Bringing the landscape alive as no other writer can, he uses his profound and eclectic understanding of cultures and peoples ... to paint vivid pictures - nobody has illuminated the geography of Europe better' (Geographical Magazine )
The Times
‘Patrick Leigh Fermor is a stylish, superb master of words, which he savours like the choicest vintage’
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
147 of 152 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Leigh Fermor's narrative style can at times seem too introspective, or perhaps a little scholarly, for modern sensibilities: he describes as if through a magnifying lens, and with great erudition, making no compromises to the reader. Yet indulging him this means of expression - which if published today might seem pretentious - makes us privilege to some extremely expert writing. Leigh Fermor's prose is the sort that cannot be broken down: it is concise and evocative, free-flowing, a rare blend of terseness and poetry. He is a writer adept at creating textures of light and shade, seasonality, sounds and odours; there are times when his imagery is almost cinematic, but never obviously so.
In A Time to Keep Silence, one of his lesser-known works, he takes leave of Paris in the mid-1950s to stay in two monasteries, the Benedictine Abbey of St Wandrille de Fontanelle, near Rouen, and Le Grande Trappe, a Trappist abbey close to Alençon. Ostensibly he visits them in order to utilise their tranquility to further his writing projects, but inevitably his sojourn in the close presence of the monks makes detachedness near impossible, and he becomes increasingly fascinated by the personalities of those who have taken the 'Triple Unction of the Soul'. Despite an initial period of difficulty in adjusting to the isolation and rigour of monastic life, he begins to appreciate that a monk's existence is often far more joyful than people assume, and that rather than being exiles from the world because of past scandals, Benedictines are genuinely vocational and stem from all walks of life. In the final section he traces the history of European monasticism back to its roots with a visit to the rock monasteries at Cappadocia in Turkey, for me the best section of the book. Here Leigh Fermor's historical imagination, and great skill for describing the strange and unworldly, take force. We share his wonder at the unknown monks who left their dazzling legacy in such an arid and forbidding place. I would not be surprised if Dalrymple had been inspired by these pages.
This book is perhaps an acquired taste, and some interest in the origins and purpose of liturgy and the monastic life will add to the reader's enjoyment. At times it is slow, and at other times a touch list-like in its descriptions; yet there are certain passages that are exceptional in their imaginative quality. Overall, an elegant exploration of the progression of monasticism into the modern age.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This slim book is rich with Patrick Leigh Fermor's erudite prose. Our world is even noisier than in the fifties, when the author, a non-believer with an observant and open mind, stayed at the monasteries he writes about, places of prayer, work, discipline and silence. He describes his initial culture shock at the Abbey of St. Wandrille de Fonatelle, the disrupted sleep patterns and claustrophobic mood of dereliction and flatness, which gradually transforms to nights of deep sleep followed by waking to energy and freshness. Reading about these experiences gives one insight into the transformative effect of silence. The author observes the lives of the monks and gives us their historical context. He writes about the rigours of the Cistercian Order and the milder regime of the Benedictines. For his hosts, the Abbey was a "springboard into eternity," and for him "a retiring place to write a book and spring more effectively back into the maelstrom," and surprisingly (or not) the place proves favourable to "ambitions so glaringly opposed."
I was sorry that the several incidental French expressions do not have an English translation, but I did find the writing distinctive, sometimes elaborate, insightful and generally rewarding.
I was sorry that the several incidental French expressions do not have an English translation, but I did find the writing distinctive, sometimes elaborate, insightful and generally rewarding.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I came across this book mentioned in Susan Hill's Howards End is on the Landing and was intrigued by what she said about it. The author spent some time in different monasteries in an effort to find peace and to write a book - not this one - that came later. What I enjoyed about the book was the author's marvellous grasp of the English language. The book is lyrical and evocative and fascinating to anyone who is interested in alternative ways of life.
I found the book interesting for its insights into different ways of monastic life from the very strict Trappist orders of Cistercian monks at Le Grand Trappe near Alencon to the rather more relaxed orders of Benedictines with whom he stayed for many months at St Wandrille de Fontanelle near Rouen.
The author was surprised at how happy all the monks were and the sense of peace, calm and joy they all exude. Monasteries are places of spiritual healing and quiet and the author found peace and quiet. No one questioned his own beliefs and they accepted him as he was.
The mystery of the rock monasteries in Cappadocia which are described in the last section of the book was intriguing as well and it is likely that no one will ever discover who they were built by or for what purpose. This is a book which is well worth reading for the use of language alone and I shall be reading it again at some point for that reason.
I found the book interesting for its insights into different ways of monastic life from the very strict Trappist orders of Cistercian monks at Le Grand Trappe near Alencon to the rather more relaxed orders of Benedictines with whom he stayed for many months at St Wandrille de Fontanelle near Rouen.
The author was surprised at how happy all the monks were and the sense of peace, calm and joy they all exude. Monasteries are places of spiritual healing and quiet and the author found peace and quiet. No one questioned his own beliefs and they accepted him as he was.
The mystery of the rock monasteries in Cappadocia which are described in the last section of the book was intriguing as well and it is likely that no one will ever discover who they were built by or for what purpose. This is a book which is well worth reading for the use of language alone and I shall be reading it again at some point for that reason.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A very special little offering
A very special little offering:
Patrick Leigh Fermor's A Time to Keep Silence
Coming to this book from Fermor's insightful travel accounts of his youthful... Read more
Patrick Leigh Fermor's A Time to Keep Silence
Coming to this book from Fermor's insightful travel accounts of his youthful... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Susila
traveller in the cloisters
Fermor admits to being ill-qualified to speak of the monastic life, but he takes us into the world of Benedictines, Trappists and others in wonderful essays reflecting his time as... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Vincent
Informative Little Book
Another of Patrick Leigh Fermor's gems. He travels to different monasteries for retreat and then writes about his experiences and the history of these places.
Published 7 months ago by S. Clark
What a man
Having now read all the works of Fermer you have to say that although rather dry in some places this man lived life to the full. Read more
Published 8 months ago by greyman
Monastic Meanderings
This travelougue of the erudite Mr Leigh Fermor recounts his visits to The Abbey of Wandrille de Fontanelle, Solmes, La Grand Trappe and the rock monasteries of Cappadocia. Read more
Published 15 months ago by A. J. Russell-pattison
A Time to Keep Silence
An interesting description of spending several weeks in a monastery including a history of their local development. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Richard Shayler
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