The Cloister Walk (Abridged) Audiobook, by Kathleen Norris Play Audiobook Sample

The Cloister Walk (Abridged) Audiobook

The Cloister Walk (Abridged) Audiobook, by Kathleen Norris Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Debra Winger Publisher: Phoenix Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 1.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 1.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: December 1999 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN:

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Publisher Description

How can an understanding of celibacy strengthen a marriage? How does the mundane task of doing laundry become as sacred as ritual? Let Kathleen Norris explain. For over 10 years, thoroughly Protestant Norris has been an oblate at a Benedictine monastery. During this period, she has gained tremendous insight into the languages, customs, ceremonies, and sexuality of the men and women who have chosen the cloistered life. In this revealing account of the hidden world of the monastics, Norris explores the true monastic life and inspires us to evaluate our own lives and values.

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"I moved through this slowly...it's a great book to pick up and put down without losing continuity. Some chapters (essays) are stronger than others, but on the whole, I enjoyed Norris' experience with the Benedectines, and especially enjoyed her perspective as a Protestant who was open-minded enough to use Catholic disciplines and theology to grow spiritually.."

— Collette (4 out of 5 stars)

The Cloister Walk Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.86206896551724 out of 53.86206896551724 out of 53.86206896551724 out of 53.86206896551724 out of 53.86206896551724 out of 5 (3.86)
5 Stars: 8
4 Stars: 10
3 Stars: 10
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It has been a little bit since I read this book, but I have read all of Kathleen Norris' non-fiction (that I know of) and this remains my favorite. I really like the way she uses old monastic stories, almost fables, to make some of her points. I definitely feel like I "get" monasticism more after reading this book. Henry Nouwen is good for that, too. "

    — Kati, 2/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Made me want to visit a monastery and long for a slow life. "

    — Carrie, 2/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " i love this book. it is to be read slowly, meditating on and with. my dear meg gave it to me as a gift and it is a perfect gift. "

    — Nikki, 2/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Amazing writer - I will read everything she writes. "

    — Santosh, 2/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I loved this book! Beautiful depiction of monastic life and faith. "

    — Anita, 1/29/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I'm not religious like the author, yet I enjoyed this book. It's a beautiful meditation on engaging in a life of inner contemplation. "

    — Elyssa, 1/22/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Norris tackles many of my favourite topics in this book: liturgical worship, poetry, feminism, rural and urban life, the monastery, childhood memoirs, love. Though this book is beautiful, I think I've been ruined by Merton. I rather expect a book on monastic life to stir me with profundity. This didn't, but was still a reflective read, which is what I was looking for. "

    — Veronica, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is a sort of mystical/Catholic experience, and it almost made want to take up church again. Almost. "

    — Jon, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A really challenging read, in that I felt small and clumsy in its entirety and depth...like trying to paddle a boat across a deep lake without noticing the water. "

    — Michael, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Kathleen Morris dances between the spiritual and the physical worlds by sharing her own experiences. I gravitate toward the likes of Anne Lamotte more, but would recommend Norris' writing for someone who enjoys walking through another's spiritual experiences. "

    — Sarah, 1/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I have a much higher opinion of the monastic life now, no question. "

    — Angela, 12/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A holy book that leads one into prayer. "

    — Stephanie, 12/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is one of my favorites. I always try to find one book a year to read as a devotional during my quiet time. I read this one a few years ago and it is beautifully written. "

    — Pamela, 11/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I am glad I read this book. It was a little slow and quiet but that was part of its charm. I learned a bit about faith and religion and it inspired me to reflect more about my own faith. The various topics chosen by the author were well suited for reflection. "

    — Lisa, 11/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This book was a little hard for me to read for some reason, but it brought out some fantastic discussions in the book group I read it with. "

    — Andrea, 7/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Interesting view of monastic life "

    — Linda, 5/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " If you've ever wondered what it was like to live for a time in a monestary, this is the book to read. "

    — Amy, 1/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I tried to read this a few years ago... got partway through and found it too dry to continue forcing my way through. I'd like to finish it, though. "

    — Julie, 5/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " this book was significant for me. one that was read at the right time, ya know? "

    — Daphne, 4/4/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Got partway through it and got sidetracked, but I'd like to revisit it sometime. "

    — Helena, 12/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A surprising look into different areas of spirituality by an unlikely, and, at first, rather reluctant investigator. I've never seen a Roman Catholic monastery through the eyes of a jaded Presbyterian authoress before. "

    — Wipp, 10/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " a beautiful book. it wanders but i like this. about saints, about faith, about liturgy, about community. "

    — Kira, 8/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I loved this book - A poet's take on the cloistered life. It is quiet and beautifully written and very thought provoking. You need not be Catholic to get lost in its pages. "

    — Ronda, 3/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An intimate look at an intimate relationship with God. Author explores various contemplative venues. "

    — Angela, 3/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " At the right moments, she really resonates with me. "

    — Joe, 12/29/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A beautiful, intimate book about the role of liturgy in modern life... her insights into life in a community are wonderful, and challenging. An inspiring portrait of a life worth aspiring to. "

    — Stella, 12/12/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I felt it was too unfocused for such length. I was also hoping for something a bit more didactic and universal, and less uninformative and personal. "

    — Gabriel, 11/28/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is one of my favorites. I always try to find one book a year to read as a devotional during my quiet time. I read this one a few years ago and it is beautifully written. "

    — Pamela, 10/24/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Got partway through it and got sidetracked, but I'd like to revisit it sometime. "

    — Helena, 9/24/2010

About Kathleen Norris

Kathleen Norris is the award-winning poet, writer, and author of the New York Times bestsellers The Cloister Walk, Amazing Grace, and Dakota: A Spiritual Geography. An oblate of Assumption Abbey, Norris divides her time between Hawaii and South Dakota.

About Debra Winger

Debra Winger is an actress and producer known for her Academy Award–nominated performances in An Officer and a Gentleman, Terms of Endearment, and Shadowlands.