What if the cause of your greatest suffering was also responsible for your greatest joy?
That’s the question at the heart of Mark Salzman’s “Lying Awake” (ISBN 0-375-40632-8).
And while many parents may say, Duh, of course that’s true, Salzman’s lead character is a cloistered nun whose profound spiritual visions are accompanied by severe migraines.
Should she undergo medical treatment to end the migraines and risk losing the visions that have brought her such peace?
It’s an intriguing dilemma.
I was fascinated by this glimpse into cloistered life — after listening to people in love with the sound of their own voices all day long, that vow of slience is mighty appealing — and drawn to Sister John of the Cross. The reasons for some of her decisions and her struggles with their consequences resonated with me despite my very different life choices.
It’s a quick read (just 181 pages) that left me wondering, which would I choose?

- Tricia Ambrose