Louise Omer was a Pentecostal preacher and faithful wife. But when her marriage crumbled, so did her beliefs.
Haunted by questions about what it means to be female in a religion that worships a male God, she left behind a church and home to ask women around the world: how can we exist in patriarchal religion? And can a woman be holy?
With $500 in her pocket and the conviction that she was following a divine path, Louise began a pilgrimage that has taken her to Mexican basilicas, Swedish cathedrals, Bulgarian mountains, and Moroccan mosques. Holy Woman combines travel writing, feminist theology, and confessional memoir to interrogate modern religion and give a raw and personal exploration of spiritual life under patriarchy.
Purchase from your local indie bookstore or from Scribe Publications
BOOK CLUB NOTES
Scribe Publications have put together a pack for book clubs!
Contains :
a letter to readers
questions for the group
a playlist from my adventures
RECEPTION
what could have been an Eat Pray Love-style travelogue is satisfyingly furious (and beautifully written), as Omer realises the error in her premise: monotheistic religions are inherently patriarchal…
Holy Woman is an accomplished work of narrative non-fiction that does what the best memoirs should, in using personal experience and reflection as a springboard for an in-depth interrogation of society and culture.
Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen, Sydney Morning Herald
For those uncertain about conservative faith, and beginning to search out something different, Holy Woman may raise new questions and offer glimmers of possibility. For anyone navigating the parallel passage out of a marriage and a faith community, Omer’s book will be a welcome read, and a companion text on that road.
Rosie Claire-Shorter, The Conversation
Beautifully written, honest and wise, Holy Woman is a search for meaning - and a very personal feminist reckoning with spirituality and self.
Cheryl Akle, The Australian
passionate, open, intelligent, and fiercely curious
Omer is a sensitive investigator, at every turn unflinchingly honest...Combining travel writing, biography and cultural critique, Holy Woman is a fascinating call to arms for everyone to question the role of patriarchal religions in male supremacy.
An intercontinental search for the Goddess and for the roots of male-centric faith systems, as well as hard-won insights into the life Omer had previously accepted, but no longer will … Holy Woman is similar in genre to Eat Pray Love and readers of Elizabeth Gilbert will enjoy Omer’s personal story…
Rebecca Whitehead for Books + Publishing