Directrix - Hardcover

Rowntree, Kathleen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0297840185 ISBN 13: 9780297840183

Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1990

Synopsis

Funnier than Animal Farm, more political than Northanger Abbey, this racy satire follows a struggle for power in a community whose members are all female. Crisis looms at Albion Priory. The Prioress is old and in poor health, and she must name  her successor. But her fading leadership has led to spiritual malaise and financial peril. Perhaps only sweeping reforms can save it from ruin.

Margaret and Catherine are the two likely candidates. But how different they are, and how difficult it is to chose between them. Sister Margaret, bold, bossy and ruthless will stop at nothing to impose her own modernising vision. Sister Catherine, on the other hand, has a deep spirituality which may better serve the community in the long run.

The ensuing battle for change is a story of ambition and compassion, sex and intrigue, madness and death. Kathleen Rowntree once again turns her witty eye on unexpected turmoil within a close-knit community. She could have set the story within any community where someone's attempts to change things is being fought over. It could have been set, for example, in a hospital or a university or a branch of the armed forces (and may have been inspired by British political change in the 1980s) but the author chose to set it in a priory. Please be advised that Albion Priory does not exist (the author knows of none that even resemble it) and intending novitiates are not encouraged to regard its practices as a realistic guide to the religious life.

The original (hardcover) edition of this book was published with the title THE DIRECTRIX; the paperback and audio version were retitled A PRIZE FOR SISTER CATHERINE.

About this title

Review

'HARD-BITING, FUNNY AND CLEVER – SHARPER THAN A PRICK FROM A FORKED TAIL'. (Kirkus Reviews)

Review

'A THOUGHT-PROVOKING NOVEL . . . SUPERBLY WRITTEN.' (Library Journal)

Edition details

• Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0297840185
• ISBN 13: 9780297840183
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 240