The Nun's Story
Encyclopedia
The Nun's Story is the title of a 1956 novel by Kathryn Hulme
. The book was a Book of the Month selection and reached #1 on the New York Times best-seller list.
Hulme wrote the book based partly upon the experiences of her friend, Marie Louise Habets
of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary
, a Belgian
nurse and an ex-nun
whom she met while working with refugees in post-war Europe. The author sponsored the former nun's immigration to the United States, and later converted to Catholicism. It is often erroneously stated that the book was based upon Hulme's own experiences.
The lead character of the book, Sister Luke (pre-convent name Gabrielle Van Der Mal), finds her faith tested in Africa
where she finds herself at odds with headstrong Dr. Fortunati, operator of a remote Congo
hospital, with whom she gradually builds respect, and again during World War II
, when she is ordered not to take sides. Ultimately, Sister Luke is forced to decide whether to remain in the convent
or return to the outside world.
Gabrielle/Sister Luke is stretched between her desire to be faithful to the rule of her congregation and her desire to be a nurse. As a nun she must remove all vestiges of "Gabrielle Van Der Mal" and sublimate herself into the devoted bride of Christ. As a nun there is no room for her personal desires and aspirations. Ultimately, the conflict between her devotion to the Church and the nursing profession, juxtaposed with her passionate Belgian patriotism and her love of her father (killed by Nazi fighter planes while treating wounded) bring her to an impasse, which serves as the dénouement of the novel.
, The Nun's Story was later adapted by screenwriter Robert Anderson and director Fred Zinnemann
. The Nun's Story
starred Audrey Hepburn
as Sister Luke, and was a critical and box office success, with Hepburn being nominated for Academy Award
for the third time.
Hepburn met Marie-Louise Habets while preparing for the role, and Habets later helped nurse Hepburn back to health following her near-fatal horse-riding accident on the set of the 1960 film, The Unforgiven
.
The relationship between Hulme, Habets and Hepburn is explored in Zoe Fairbairns' radio play The Belgian Nurse first broadcast on BBC Radio Four in January 2007.
Kathryn Hulme
Kathryn Hulme was an American author and memoirist most noted for her novel The Nun's Story. The book is often, mistakenly, understood to be semi-biographical.-Writing:...
. The book was a Book of the Month selection and reached #1 on the New York Times best-seller list.
Hulme wrote the book based partly upon the experiences of her friend, Marie Louise Habets
Marie Louise Habets
Marie Louise Habets was the Belgian nun and ex-nun fictionalised as Sister Luke in The Nun's Story, a bestselling 1956 book by American author Kathryn Hulme...
of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary
Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary
The Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary is a Roman Catholic religious order founded in Ghent, Belgium on November 4, 1803 by Father Peter Joseph Triest, the parish priest of Lovendegem that time. Father Peter recruited a group of young women, from which the co-foundress Mother...
, a Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
nurse and an ex-nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
whom she met while working with refugees in post-war Europe. The author sponsored the former nun's immigration to the United States, and later converted to Catholicism. It is often erroneously stated that the book was based upon Hulme's own experiences.
The lead character of the book, Sister Luke (pre-convent name Gabrielle Van Der Mal), finds her faith tested in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
where she finds herself at odds with headstrong Dr. Fortunati, operator of a remote Congo
Belgian Congo
The Belgian Congo was the formal title of present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo between King Leopold II's formal relinquishment of his personal control over the state to Belgium on 15 November 1908, and Congolese independence on 30 June 1960.-Congo Free State, 1884–1908:Until the latter...
hospital, with whom she gradually builds respect, and again during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, when she is ordered not to take sides. Ultimately, Sister Luke is forced to decide whether to remain in the convent
Convent
A convent is either a community of priests, religious brothers, religious sisters, or nuns, or the building used by the community, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Anglican Communion...
or return to the outside world.
Gabrielle/Sister Luke is stretched between her desire to be faithful to the rule of her congregation and her desire to be a nurse. As a nun she must remove all vestiges of "Gabrielle Van Der Mal" and sublimate herself into the devoted bride of Christ. As a nun there is no room for her personal desires and aspirations. Ultimately, the conflict between her devotion to the Church and the nursing profession, juxtaposed with her passionate Belgian patriotism and her love of her father (killed by Nazi fighter planes while treating wounded) bring her to an impasse, which serves as the dénouement of the novel.
Film, TV or theatrical adaptations
In 19591959 in film
The year 1959 in film involved some significant events, with Ben-Hur winning a record 11 Academy Awards.-Events:* The Three Stooges make their 190th and last short film, Sappy Bull Fighters....
, The Nun's Story was later adapted by screenwriter Robert Anderson and director Fred Zinnemann
Fred Zinnemann
Fred Zinnemann was an Austrian-American film director. He won four Academy Awards and directed films like High Noon, From Here to Eternity and A Man for All Seasons.-Life and career:...
. The Nun's Story
The Nun's Story (film)
The Nun's Story is a 1959 Warner Brothers film directed by Fred Zinnemann and starring Audrey Hepburn. Based upon the 1956 novel of the same title by Kathryn Hulme, the story tells of the life of Sister Luke , a young Belgian woman who decides to enter a convent and make the many sacrifices...
starred Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn was a British actress and humanitarian. Although modest about her acting ability, Hepburn remains one of the world's most famous actresses of all time, remembered as a film and fashion icon of the twentieth century...
as Sister Luke, and was a critical and box office success, with Hepburn being nominated for Academy Award
Academy Award for Best Actress
Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role is one of the Academy Awards of merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance while working within the film industry...
for the third time.
Hepburn met Marie-Louise Habets while preparing for the role, and Habets later helped nurse Hepburn back to health following her near-fatal horse-riding accident on the set of the 1960 film, The Unforgiven
The Unforgiven (1960 film)
The Unforgiven is a 1960 American western film filmed in Durango, Mexico released in 1960. The film was directed by John Huston and starred Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn, Audie Murphy, Charles Bickford and Lillian Gish...
.
The relationship between Hulme, Habets and Hepburn is explored in Zoe Fairbairns' radio play The Belgian Nurse first broadcast on BBC Radio Four in January 2007.