Molly Conway has known from very young that her calling is to be a nun. She is the only child of her devout Catholic mother to follow her faith, her brothers and father, Methodists. In order to honour her dead mother’s memory, in Molly’s mind there is no other future for her.

This determined path is soon strewn with obstacles. Her father suddenly drops hints about her marrying Eddie, the blacksmith’s son. Eddie is a dear friend to Molly, but Molly can’t entertain the idea. Firstly Eddie is Methodist, she’s only 15, and everyone knows she is to become a nun.

Her father presses this issue, as if he expected Molly to grow out of her intended path plans, urging marriage for her. The truth of his sudden switch in attitude reveals itself. He is to remarry…soon.

Blindsided by a new wife that Molly and her siblings are instructed to call Mother, Molly’s faith is attacked within her own home. With no other option she flees to the only refuge she can imagine – the community of Mother Mary Joseph Aubert in Wanganui.

Life with Mother Aubert is nothing like Molly’s mother had described and she frequently wonders if she has done the right thing. Forced home again, then released, Molly becomes even more uncertain about her mother’s dreams for her. Only time helping others, acceptance by strangers, and finding Eddie, helps her to decide on a path for her future.

The Calling captured me early and took me on a trip back in time to late 19th Century NZ. Set in a small kiwi town, life in the Conway house, Molly’s fervent desire to follow her mother’s wishes, and her growing uncertainty about that path, is expertly written and real.

I experienced life in 1895, with its religious bigotry, and society expectations for women. Swagmen roamed the roads, hungry and looking for work and the divide between rich and poor didn’t correlate with levels of kindness.

Each chapter of the book begins with snippets of the times, whether it be a newspaper report, encyclopedia entries, a recipe for scones, or even a guide on waterproofing boots.

Fleur Beale is a well loved, accomplished and much awarded YA Kiwi Author.

Author – Fleur Beale

Age – 13+

Look inside The Calling here

(NZ, New Zealand, Kiwi Author, Award winning author, 1895, Catholic, Catholicism, Religion, Serving God, Nun, Family, Siblings, 19th Century, Historical, Choices, Society rules, Stepmother, Nursing, Nurse)