This novelette, set at the time of the French Revolution, follows the lives of the nuns of the Carmelite convent at Compiegne during those troubled times, all the way to their martyrdom at the guillotine. Despite the rather short length, the novel is very deep and very moving. The author, rather than having the charcters preach to the reader, created a story which causes the reader to consider some very substantial spiritual issues - suffering, pride, fear, and how God works in our lives. Far from a depressing tale, we are shown how the Christian spirit becomes stronger in the face of great evil. However, we also see a warning note very applicable to our own times - that human nature alone is not sufficient and that when we abandon God and religion a very frightening and chaotic side of mankind can be revealed.

The story is quite valuable from an historical perspective - particularly as we view the French Revolution from a Catholic perspective. This book would be appropriate for high school (probably Junior or Senior year) and would be excellent for teens and parents to read together in order to discuss the many facets of the story.