
In 1858, a German princess, recently inducted into the convent of Sant'Ambrogio in Rome, wrote a frantic letter to her cousin, a confidant of the Pope, claiming that she was being abused and feared for her life. The subsequent investigation by the Church's Inquisition uncovered illicit behavior of the convent's beautiful young mistress, Maria Luisa. Having convinced those under her charge that she was having regular visions and heavenly visitations, Maria Luisa began to lead and coerce her novices into lesbian initiation rites and heresies. What emerges through the fog of centuries is a sex scandal of ecclesiastical significance.
Publisher:
New York :, Alfred A. Knopf,, 2015
Edition:
First United States Edition
ISBN:
9780385351904
0385351909
0385351909
Characteristics:
xii, 476 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm
Alternative Title:
True story of a convent in scandal
Convent in scandal
Convent in scandal


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Add a CommentPeople of color are enjoying Black History Month this month. As for LGBT people of whatever ethnicity, it’s another lurid book on “lesbian initiation rites” (whatever those are), presumably purchased at public expense. Apparently, some minorities are more equal than others, and some less.
Church scandals are all too common now. When we hear of them it doesnt strike us as shocking...that in itself is a shame. This book describes a church scandal which happened in the 1850's. To read this you must like to read history. I did not care too much for the authors layout of the story. Overall the presentation of the details are good. At first I felt that the central character Maria Luisa, mistress of novices was just plain insane. But facts dating back even further shed light on the reasons it all happened. I am not condoning the actions only saying that it is understood as to why. Facts that could be the reason for today's similar church scandals. Interesting historic reading.