Review: The Anchoress

You could be excused for thinking that a book about a woman who has herself confined to a small room forever, so she can pray and be close to God, would be, well, a little bit boring? Well, you would be wrong! Sarah is an extraordinary voice. At 17 years old, she chooses the life of an anchoress, living in a tiny cell attached to the local church. She is visited by the women of the village who ask for her guidance and she is assisted in her daily needs by two maids. The only men who may speak with her are her confessor and her bishop.
Sarah’s space may be small, but in this cell she grapples with not only her own demons, but external forces that encroach on her existence.
Why would a young woman choose such a life? Sarah believes that by removing herself from everyday life, she will be able to pray and be of service to God and the local community. However, as her time in the cell passes, she begins to question her faith, and her choice.
I was surprised by how engrossed I was by Sarah’s story. There were times where I wanted to give her a good hard slap - nothing gets my goat more than pious self-indulgence - and Sarah does her fair share of wallowing! But this is Sarah’s journey, and she recovers from this indulgence to find peace and a very satisfying resolution.
I listened to the Bolinda audiobook version, which was narrated perfectly.
Highly recommended.

• Review
• Robyn Cadwallader