Four nuns find themselves At the Crossroads between their long held ideals and today’s feminist values. Vivian Tiamet, principal and superior at St. Anthony School and Convent in Sleeder, Illinois, promises to help unwed, pregnant Jennifer. Then their school closes unexpectedly and the urgency of time presses. The girl wants an abortion! To make matters worse, the others, miffed by the closing, challenge Vivian’s leadership. Smitten Mary Ruth, who’s harboring a secret, turns to Clyde, her witty, African-American, jazz-playing piano student. Younger Kimberly, intent on a woman-friendly church and in search of greater meaning, flirts with donating her eggs to an infertile couple. Older Sister Dominic, the only one of them who still wears a habit, fights to sign an unacceptable living will.
The final choices of these vital women surprise even themselves!
... a spellbinding novel about women questioning outdated rules and forging new meaning for their lives. The story compels; the language flows.
–Joan Medlicott, author of The Ladies of Covington Send Their Love.
... illumines the lives of an often-invisible group of American women, forced to make decisions in moral travail. General readers and women’s studies classrooms will benefit from this novel.
–Sara Evans, Author of Born to Liberty. A History of Women in America.
... accurately reflects the conflicts of many women religious as new ways replaced time-honored tradition.
–Amy Kistner, OSF, Congregational Leader, 1994-2000.
2002 DIY* Book Festival Fiction Winner
*Do It Yourself. The annual convention honors independent publishers
Writer's Digest Honorable Mention
Mainstream/Literary Fiction
2001 National Self-Published Book Awards
At the Crossroads’ deep inquisitive exploration of contemporary women’s issues and Catholicism as well as its sophisticated level of writing and complex characterization impressed me most about this well-crafted novel. At the Crossroads raises complication, important questions about the role of women in the Catholic Church. Reproductive issues, desire, care for the elderly, stifling guilt, leadership and education are some of the central subjects – all presented with exquisite sensitivity and an unflinching eye. This is not a clichéd look at issues that have been plaguing the Church for decades, but a truly gritty, in-the-trenches look, told from the refreshing perspective of four contemporary, deeply complex nuns. The guilt-ridden Vivian, the wise, stubborn, Sister Dominic, the revolutionary feminist Kimberly, and the quiet, musically gifted Mary Ruth play off each other perfectly, and each of their individual struggles make up a brilliant spectrum of crucial women’s issues. Not just the characters, but the narrative as well is handled with sophistication and delicacy. Each of the sub-plots is well developed and entrancing, and they come together beautifully when Father shuts down their school. This is a strong, touching first novel. Sarah Beam
Reviews
Henry Berry, The Small Press Book Review –“The varied ages, background, and personalities of the four central characters allow the author to explore a variety of social issues, particularly from feminine perspectives … The nuns are not feminists in the familiar or stereotypical way, but rather their actions disclose new shades of involvement, concern, and also effectiveness with respect to circumstances and events of contemporary life facing all thoughtful persons.”
James A. Cox, The Midwest Book Review – “ …deftly written, powerful novel … of modern moral dilemmas … explores the hot-button social issues that come uncomfortably close to home for men and women today. An involving book that forces the reader to re-examine his or her own decision-making processes …highly recommended reading from first page to last.”
Melanie C. Duncan Library Journal –“A strong contribution for most library collections.”
Rachel Mulligan WordWrap– “A captivating subject Schelly handles with ease. Recommended.”
