Where God Begins to Be: A Woman's Journey into Solitude

by Karen Karper and Karen Karper Fredette

Book Overview

"In her inspiring, vividly composed and always faithful book" (Susan Muto), Karen Karper describes a world where life is rich in "being" rather than in "having." Selected as a Catholic Book of the Month, "Where God Begins To Be" fulfills Murray Bodo's observation that ..".instead of myth fabricated from a few fragments, we have here the details--the nitty-gritty, muddy details--of a hermit's daily living." Karen is a "Seer who brings you along with...

• Format: Library Binding
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802837905
• ISBN13: 9780802837905
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co
• Length: 119 Pages
• Weight: 1.85 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Inspiring!

The title of this book is from Meister Eckhart: "Where clinging to things ends, there God begins to be." What I love about Karper's book is the way God's presence glimmers in and through ALL things: mud, collapsing sheds, grasping multiflora, escaped cats, untimely bills, you name it, Sr. Karen seems to have to struggle with it! So, while the book beautifully explores a life of solitude in a quiet hermitage in West Virginia, it's totally applicable to any life, anywhere, even the busiest. Because we all need to stop clinging to things and allow God to begin to be present, don't we?

Utterly empowering

While the book is just over 116 pages long, it is a gem and if you can find a copy GRAB IT. The Author Karen Karper was a member of the Poor Clares often associated as the female branch of what St Francis of Assisi started the Franciscans. In 1989 she opted to take a leave from the monastery to attempt a life of solitary and frugality. With a ten year old Bronco and a small amount of money she set out. She had no idea where she was going. At the request of two Nuns who lived in an Appalachian Valley area called Colt Run holler (Spencer W Virginia) she accepted their invitation to visit. This would be her welcome to what would become a way of life. Learning to live amongst people who did not know many Catholics, not to mention learning to use an outhouse, pump water and deal with everything from ankle deep mud to snakes (copperheads)in the wood pile. She writes about getting enough money to drill a new well, since the old one was unhealthy. To learning to literally do everything herself, be it repairing tin roofs, or trying to grow a garden. Learning that there is solitude and then there is solitude. That living as a woman alone on a remote area would test ones faith in God as far as protection and wisdom goes. Any woman who wants to see that being over the age of 40 or 50 doesn't need to stop you from testing yourself will love this book. It has a nice Thomas Merton Zen feel and a Mother Earth News feel that I especially appreciated. And this is a book that I read and re-read on a rainy or sunny day and a book that changes my life everytime I read it.

Excellent! A quiet contemplation of simple living!

This book is wonderful for anyone who seeks a short period of quiet in the midst of their busy day-to-day life. As a writer and someone who loves nature, I found amazing connections in Sister Karper's story, despite the fact that our lives are obviously very different. This book took me to the mountains of Appalachia, and made me want to stay there forever--with plumbing, however!