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debbiecuddy's review
3.0
This mystery is centered on abuse accusations in the Catholic Church and the nun who is called upon to investigate. The atmosphere of the novel is quiet, dark, almost brooding and seems to capture the silence that surrounded the abuses for so many years.
Although compelling to read, it really is a sad story.
SAH Book Bingo 2020-Any Book
Although compelling to read, it really is a sad story.
SAH Book Bingo 2020-Any Book
coach_sean's review
2.0
I simply could not get into this. I stopped at halfway. There was nothing wrong with the narrator. It just wasn't catching my attention.
There is simply too much good stuff out there to keep listening to things you don't like.
There is simply too much good stuff out there to keep listening to things you don't like.
christinamahrea's review against another edition
3.0
This has an interesting story line. I was intrigued and it made for a quick read, although, the back and forth between time timelines made it hard to follow as my copy didn't have titles for the chapters. I really like how the ending wrapped everything up and came together. I would recommend this book to my friends.
letterbetty's review against another edition
4.0
More of a 3.5 but I appreciated the narrator and the pace.
stayathomereader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
acolbert72's review against another edition
5.0
4.8 A strong sense of place and an extremely well drawn main character. I felt I knew her well after just a few pages. As the book intersperses past and present, we get to know her at multiple ages. The plot drives the book forward, but it was the characterization that made this such a good read.
bryanfarmer's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. It's a complicated story of choices, memory, lies and the longing for what could have been. I thought Olaf Olafsson did a great job of illustrating all of these points and shocked at how people just turned a blind eye in face of trauma. Enjoyed this read!
markhoh's review against another edition
5.0
“Time frequently stands still, even though the years fly by, and before we know it things have come to an end. Sometimes, I feel I have traveled a long road only to end up where I started”. p277
What a sombre, haunting, evocative and poetic story Olaf Olafsson has told in his novel, The Sacrament. Set in both Iceland and France, Olafsson weaves two sometimes three timelines seamlessly, lyrically composing a compelling story of faith, doubt, love, hope, justice and redemption.
The Sacrament is a story told through the life of Sister Johanna Marie, a nun sent by the Vatican to explore allegations of abuse at a Catholic school in Reykjavík, Iceland. In some ways Iceland represented a defining aspect of Sister Johanna’s life, the place where ultimately the deepest questions and yearnings of her soul found something resembling answers. Olafsson painstakingly portrays a story of abuse allegations that are fraught with barriers at every turn leading to an ultimate act of resolution. Sadly, although this story is a work of fiction it ultimately reflects events that are grounded in the reality of so many.
The journey that Sister Johanna takes from France to Iceland is kind of like a metaphorical journey of the soul. Iceland is the perfect setting, both winter and summer, for the mood, atmosphere and reflection of the story. I was particularly intrigued by the location in Reykjavík itself as on a personal note this is the exact area that I stayed when I visited Iceland a few years ago. It was amazing to revisit the streets I walked and stayed on and this kept me riveted to the pages.
I wrote down so many excerpts from this book. The whole story is like a narrative of the soul. Sister Johanna is in so many ways a tortured and conflicted woman, her faith is called into question and she wrestles her own inner demons. While these are somewhat resolved they remain open ended and questioned throughout the story which adds a real authenticity.
I loved this book so much. It was really evocative for me. 5 stars easily.
What a sombre, haunting, evocative and poetic story Olaf Olafsson has told in his novel, The Sacrament. Set in both Iceland and France, Olafsson weaves two sometimes three timelines seamlessly, lyrically composing a compelling story of faith, doubt, love, hope, justice and redemption.
The Sacrament is a story told through the life of Sister Johanna Marie, a nun sent by the Vatican to explore allegations of abuse at a Catholic school in Reykjavík, Iceland. In some ways Iceland represented a defining aspect of Sister Johanna’s life, the place where ultimately the deepest questions and yearnings of her soul found something resembling answers. Olafsson painstakingly portrays a story of abuse allegations that are fraught with barriers at every turn leading to an ultimate act of resolution. Sadly, although this story is a work of fiction it ultimately reflects events that are grounded in the reality of so many.
The journey that Sister Johanna takes from France to Iceland is kind of like a metaphorical journey of the soul. Iceland is the perfect setting, both winter and summer, for the mood, atmosphere and reflection of the story. I was particularly intrigued by the location in Reykjavík itself as on a personal note this is the exact area that I stayed when I visited Iceland a few years ago. It was amazing to revisit the streets I walked and stayed on and this kept me riveted to the pages.
I wrote down so many excerpts from this book. The whole story is like a narrative of the soul. Sister Johanna is in so many ways a tortured and conflicted woman, her faith is called into question and she wrestles her own inner demons. While these are somewhat resolved they remain open ended and questioned throughout the story which adds a real authenticity.
I loved this book so much. It was really evocative for me. 5 stars easily.
emydeqdillon's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastically written. Wonderful and powerful story.