Based on a treasure trove of letters, this fascinating book tells the history of a seventeenth-century nun in a convent in Leuven and how her complaints-of sexual harassment, fears of demonic possession, alliances among the other sisters against her-led to her banishment from the convent on two occasions. Highly acclaimed when it was first published as a revealing look at female religious life in early modern Europe, the book is now available in an abridged paperbound version with a new preface by the author. Reviews of the clothbound edition:"e;A window to the past. . . . I loved, just loved, this book."e; Carolyn See, Washington Post"e;The world Mr. Harline uncovers is a fascinating one. . . . The story of Sister Margaret gives an extra dimension of humanity to a turning point in the history of ideas."e; Sonia Gernes, Wall Street Journal"e;Better-than-fiction social history. . . . This is a glimpse into diaries, letters, hearts, minds, hatreds, and hopes; it will enthrall."e; Christian Century"e;Harline's graceful writing allows the women and men in this religious community to breathe, gossip, pray with tears. . . . The Burdens of Sister Margaret helpsus see the familiar Reformation in a fresh way."e; Kevin A. Miller, Christianity Today"e;Microhistory at its best."e; Larissa Taylor, Renaissance Quarterly

Based on a treasure trove of letters, this fascinating book tells the history of a seventeenth-century nun in a convent in Leuven and how her complaints-of sexual harassment, fears of demonic possession, alliances among the other sisters against her-led to her banishment from the convent on two occasions. Highly acclaimed when it was first published as a revealing look at female religious life in early modern Europe, the book is now available in an abridged paperbound version with a new preface by the author. Reviews of the clothbound edition:"e;A window to the past. . . . I loved, just loved, this book."e; Carolyn See, Washington Post"e;The world Mr. Harline uncovers is a fascinating one. . . . The story of Sister Margaret gives an extra dimension of humanity to a turning point in the history of ideas."e; Sonia Gernes, Wall Street Journal"e;Better-than-fiction social history. . . . This is a glimpse into diaries, letters, hearts, minds, hatreds, and hopes; it will enthrall."e; Christian Century"e;Harline's graceful writing allows the women and men in this religious community to breathe, gossip, pray with tears. . . . The Burdens of Sister Margaret helpsus see the familiar Reformation in a fresh way."e; Kevin A. Miller, Christianity Today"e;Microhistory at its best."e; Larissa Taylor, Renaissance Quarterly

Based on a treasure trove of letters, this fascinating book tells the history of a seventeenth-century nun in a convent in Leuven and how her complaints-of sexual harassment, fears of demonic possession, alliances among the other sisters against her-led to her banishment from the convent on two occasions. Highly acclaimed when it was first published as a revealing look at female religious life in early modern Europe, the book is now available in an abridged paperbound version with a new preface by the author. Reviews of the clothbound edition:"e;A window to the past. . . . I loved, just loved, this book."e; Carolyn See, Washington Post"e;The world Mr. Harline uncovers is a fascinating one. . . . The story of Sister Margaret gives an extra dimension of humanity to a turning point in the history of ideas."e; Sonia Gernes, Wall Street Journal"e;Better-than-fiction social history. . . . This is a glimpse into diaries, letters, hearts, minds, hatreds, and hopes; it will enthrall."e; Christian Century"e;Harline's graceful writing allows the women and men in this religious community to breathe, gossip, pray with tears. . . . The Burdens of Sister Margaret helpsus see the familiar Reformation in a fresh way."e; Kevin A. Miller, Christianity Today"e;Microhistory at its best."e; Larissa Taylor, Renaissance Quarterly