Customer Reviews

The Quotidian Mysteries: Laundry, Liturgy and Woman's "Work"

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Kathleen Norris provides a very personal and thoughtful way of looking at everyday chores as an opportunity to experience grace. Since it is the lot in life of every human being to spend time at routine, unglamorous tasks, it is no surprise that those who seek contact with God can find it while sweeping the floor or commuting to work. Ms. Norris describes "women's work" such as hanging laundry on the line to dry, caring for children and washing dishes as potentially spiritual events. This is not pie in the sky. She does not deny the distractions and pain of everyday life or the struggle against depression, anger and despair that we all have. She just presents another way of looking at and experiencing the routine with a poet's sensitivity.

I am part of an eleven-member book group. Our selections in the past 18 months have mostly been from Oprah's list, and so I thought I would step out of the familiar and choose something a little bit challenging. Tomorrow night is our discussion--and all eleven members are saying they are going to come (unheard of attendance! :). Now I'm not so sure about the risk I took. Please pray for us. To the reviewer who noted that this book would be good for a book group discussion, you are the one who convinced me to use it. My other idea was to have us read something by Anne LaMott. Anyone ever read anything by her?

Anyway, on the my reaction to "Quotidian Mysteries" Did anyone else have a hard time knowing anything about all the names of the saints and authors Norris refers to? I guess I'm 'out-of'it'! I found her use of quotes confusing and not always helpful. But the intrinsic ideas are going to help us as we struggle to find meaning in this alienating and full of 'acedia' world. I'll let you know how the discussion goes!

Life is not glorious all the time. You still have to brush your teeth, go to the bathroom, take your shower. Does this have a spiritual value? Kathleen Norris has a way, the way only a poet can, of zeroing into the basic heart of the matter. As she has done in her previous works, I believe she is truly inspired by the Holy Spirit to communicate to us that there can be a heavenly value to all the mundane things we have to do in this mortal life, which applied with love, can lead us to be the person we'd like to be so eternity will be our reward. I would love to have her insight. This book has to read, again and again. We shall be so much better for doing so. The "best we can do" is only a destination. We should really "strive to be better." Thank you, Kathleen, for your inspiration.

This book is changing the way I look at my daily life. It is slowing me down, refreshing me, and teaching me to appreciate the daily chores and routines which usually bog me down. Norris' wisdom and honesty amazes me.

We should all be most grateful that St. Mary's shares this lecture with a wider audience than the students and faculty who were fortunate enough to hear Norris present these beautiful thoughts. The author shares her personal faith journey with practical metaphor and simile. I have reread the book several times, picking up new inspiration with each reading. Take your time and enjoy this little gem of a book. Good selection for a book club.

Any book that can make laundry into a spiritual experience has to be worth more than the pittance that is asked for owning it! It's small, only 88 pages, but it's powerful.

Perfect reading for a time when our world is so chaotic and we are searching for moments of peace and tranquility amidst our crazy schedules. To be reminded how important ritual is to our souls is a gift! Thank you, Kathleen!