"A vivid and fascinating story of a tumultuous century, a Catholic society, a contentious religious order, and an ambitious family dynasty, A Convent Tale is an exemplary history of religion and society in early modern Europe." -- R Po-chia Hsia, Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of History, Pennsylvania State University
"Founded as an experimental community of active, missionary women, Milan's Angelic convent eventually became something strikingly different--a cloistered bastion of gendered reform. Full of strong characters, AConvent Tale is a beautifully written book about this complex transformation." -- Kathryn Burns, author of Colonial Habits
"Recounting the turbulent history of the Angelic convent of San Paolo, A Convent Tale is boldly revisionist and a major contribution to Counter-reformation history. Richly documented, and written with passion and verve, this important book is a must-read for students of the church, Italy, and women." -- Richard L. Kagan, author of Lucrecia's Dreams
"[A] wonderful new monograph...which charts the development of the Milanese convent San Paolo from its establishment in 1535 through the tumultuous decadesof the Counter-Reformation...A Convent Tale with its beautiful writing and thick descriptions, brings to life the world these nuns inhabited." -- Sixteenth CenturyJournal