Enduring Grace: Living Portraits of Seven Women Mystics

I just finished this book and before I re-read it (which is what I intend to do immediately) I wanted to write this review. If you are looking for a book that will help you learn about women mystics, this is the book to read. If you are looking for a book that will introduce you to some dear friends you will want to visit with again soon, this is the book to read. The author juxtaposes beautifully written narrative with thorough scholarly research into stories that are both intellectually fascinating and pleasant to read. The notes, for me, were as interesting as the chapters and that reveals her skill as an author. It's a wonderful book and I recommend it as eagerly and enthusiastically as I introduce one of my good friends to another, certain that they will like one another and become good friends.

One of my favorite books in all the world. Desert island worthy. The writing is lucid and unbiased. The stories ring true and go deep into human experience. I didn't expect to like it at all since these things are generally not well described, but Carol Flinders' own reticence about people officially canonized by the behemoth institution that gave them so much grief during their lives matches my own rpm about iconified figures who happen, as it turns out, to have been remarkable and interesting people in their own right.It's a hard book to lend people because there aren't many of us who would give it a chance, but if you are reading the reviews here, you may find it nourishing to mind and heart.

I purchased the book for a group I'm in that will be studying it. I'm just beginning to read it.

Enduring Grace: Living Portraits of Seven Women Mystics This is an old title, but a goodie! The author of this book,Carol Flinders, writes just enough about each of the mystics to keep the reader interested. If you have ever read any of the autobiographies of the mystics you will understand what I mean. Flinders relates the stories of these seven mystics in a way which the reader of today can understand. Some of the feminist issues of the 12th through the 16th centuries are still hanging around today. The mystics are portrayed as deeply religious,empathetic feminists. They fought against an unfair system with grace and were successful enough to be remembered today. I lent this book to a friend. She liked it so much that she bought her own copy. You need to get this book.

Well written and researched. Fascinating insights into the lives of theses mystics. As a practicing yogi, I once again recognize that the truth and experience ofconnection with the bliss of Spirt transcends all religions.

Carol Lee Flinders did a superb job of making the mystics in her book come alive on the page as real persons living in a particular culture and particular time. Writing about mystics is not an easy task and making them real to a modern audience can be even more challenging. As a woman and a Catholic, I was surprised that Carol not being Catholic herself, could express so well the experiences these women had. Her scholarship, research, and writing skills were very evident. The book flowed and kept my interest with each biography. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about women mystics.

I love Carol Lee Flinders' writing. In this book, she portrays the mystics as real human beings so they can serve as guides for anyone wanting to add depth to their spiritual journey. Highly recommend any book written by Flinders.

Carol Flinders does an excellent job of bringing to life these 7 women mystics. Her handling of this very esoteric material is very sensitive and enlightening; especially so since she does not reveal her own spiritual orientation. The truths she discusses herein are universal truths that saints of all religions experience in deep inner communion with the Divine. She describes these experiences very well as she tells the stories of the seven women. Excellent read for any one seeking a deeper inner experience with the Divine.

One of the best books on these saints I have ever read (and I have read some). Flinders not only introduces the lives of each with excellent biographical detail but attempts to get across the essence of their lives, works and writings within the context of the historical base and its biases. I found it informative and spiritually uplifting in equal measures and it made me more than a fan of these wonderful women. Highly recommended!

We are using this for our Book Club. We find it informative and well written.In the Prologue and Introduction, Carol Lee gives an explanation of her understanding of "mystic" and how she began interested.With an open mind, I believe all could find Enduring Grace an excellent study.