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The Nun (Oxford World's Classics) Paperback – 11 Sep 2008

by
Denis Diderot (Author)
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Denis Diderot (Author), Russell Goulbourne (Translator)
4.2 out of 5 stars 5 customer reviews
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Product details

  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: OUP Oxford; 1st Edition edition (11 Sept. 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0199555249
  • ISBN-13: 978-0199555246
  • Product Dimensions: 19.3 x 1.8 x 12.7 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 354,272 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

Russell Goulbourne's wide-ranging introduction shows clearly how the work's past significance and it present meaning are linked: Goulbourne's excellent translation maintains the reader's involvement without sacrificing accuracy. (Times Literary Supplement)

About the Author

Russell R. Goulbourne is lecturer in French at the University of Leeds, England. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

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Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsA Hard Hitting Novel
By M. Dowden HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on 22 Feb. 2008
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
If you have heard of this book and its portrayal of lesbianism in a convent, you will be disappointed. This is not a sex story and has only very mild titillation.

Russell Goulbourne presents here a brilliant new translation of this powerful novel, and also provides a very illuminating introduction. If you are aware of the famous incident at Loudon you will have some idea of what went on in convents. This story is set at a later date, in the eighteenth century, and looks at the phenomenom of a practice quite prevalent then, especially in France. Families would place their children into monasterys or convents if they were illegitimate (as in this book), or couldn't provide suitable marriage dowries, amongst many other reasons. This resulted in what amounts to imprisonment for the rest of their lives of innocent people.

Suzanne, the heroine of our novel is eventually forced into becoming a nun, amongst persecution, bullying, and humiliation. Around her she sees madness, abuse of power and despair, eventually contemplating suicide herself. When she is moved to another convent she encounters lesbianism and sexual jealousy.

This novel is a very powerful portrayal of what was happening in those times and looks at intolerence and oppression, subjects that are still of concern in these days. It is quite easy to see why this was a bestseller in its day, and why it still enthralls readers today.
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3.0 out of 5 stars'my daughter, I don't want you to poison my life any longer'
By sally tarbox TOP 500 REVIEWER on 9 May 2012
Format: Paperback
As the offspring of her mother's affair, Suzanne is ever aware that she is treated less favourably than her siblings. As soon as possible her parents arrange for her to enter a convent, this being a cheap way to dispose of her, while her sisters receive dowries and can marry.
The novel follows Suzanne through her years as a nun- her attempts to refuse to make her vows, the pressure on her to conform and then the different personalities she encounters within the convent walls. From the deeply loving to the incredibly cruel; the melancholy, the jealousy, the madness and the lesbianism.
As Suzanne notes, she is unlike most nuns, driven from the religious life by some unruly passion. 'I want to be free because my freedom was sacrificed against my will.'
Short (180 p) but gripping read.
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3.0 out of 5 starsA peculiar read.
By Lola TOP 1000 REVIEWER on 27 July 2015
Format: Paperback
I was lost pretty much throughout the whole book trying to figure out if "The Nun" was all farce or horrible yet truthful depiction of the organised religion. I did a bit of research and some resources claim that this book was meant as a joke, while the others say this is a serious tome depicting catholic France in the XVIII century. Approach with caution: there are scenes of violence and pretty weird show of lesbian love and generally debauchery happening behind the closed doors of convents. Didro himself was "a heretic", whose sister died in a French Catholic church from overwork. Go figure... Despite quite a difficult subject matter, the book is easy to read… I enjoyed it. I don’t know if you would, too…
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5.0 out of 5 starsNun
By MES on 11 Dec. 2013
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Glad I read it, but hard work! Not one I would read again....not everyone`s taste. Still, it was interesting learning about the Church.
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5.0 out of 5 starsDiderot classic
By Cathy Latif on 2 Dec. 2015
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Perfect for my daughter's degree.
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