An Infinity of Little Hours

An Infinity of Little Hours follows five young men who entered the Carthusian monastery of Parkminster in England during the 1960s to become contemplative monks. The book chronicles their experiences during the strict five-year novitiate period required to join one of Catholicism's most austere and demanding religious orders. The narrative details the rigorous daily life of these aspiring monks, from their 11:30pm prayers to their solitary meals and manual labor in complete silence. Through interviews and research, Maguire reconstructs their individual journeys and struggles with isolation, doubt, and the intense physical and psychological demands of the Carthusian path. The monastery itself emerges as a central character, with its stone cells and spare furnishings embodying centuries of monastic tradition. Maguire documents the precise routines, rules, and rituals that governed every aspect of life at Parkminster during this period of significant change in the Catholic Church. Through these five parallel stories, the book examines universal questions about faith, vocation, and the human capacity for solitude and contemplation. The intersection of medieval monastic practice with modern consciousness creates a unique lens for exploring what draws people to extreme forms of religious life.

Readers found the book offers intimate access to the challenging lives of five novice monks at a Carthusian monastery in 1960s England. Many appreciated the detailed research and reporting on a secretive religious order that rarely allows outsiders. Readers liked: - The deep psychological portraits of each novice - Historical context about monastery life and practices - Clear explanations of Latin terms and rituals - The author's neutral, observational tone Common criticisms: - Writing style can be dry and academic - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - Several readers wanted more details about why certain monks left - A few noted repetitive descriptions of daily routines Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (669 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (116 ratings) One reader called it "an anthropological study written with the drama of a novel." Another noted it "demystifies monastic life without diminishing its profound spiritual aspects."

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🔖 The book follows five young men who entered the Carthusian monastery of Parkminster in 1960 - the strictest monastic order in the Catholic Church - and documents their experiences over five years. ⏰ Carthusian monks follow a schedule that has remained virtually unchanged since the order's founding in 1084, including waking at 11:30 PM for night prayers. 👥 Author Nancy Klein Maguire is married to one of the novices who left Parkminster, giving her unique insight and access to the normally secretive order. 🏰 Parkminster (St. Hugh's Charterhouse) is the only Carthusian monastery in Britain and contains 34 individual hermitages where monks live in solitude. 📝 The book's title comes from the Carthusian motto "Stat crux dum volvitur orbis" (The Cross stands still while the world turns), referring to the timeless nature of their vocation and the countless small moments that make up a monk's life.