Book Reviews

Congratulations! What a wonderful testimony to the 25 years Elaine & Paul dedicated to Gorton Monastery. Elaine is far too modest to say she is not a writer, she has put together a magnificent book, full of photos, articles, history, stories, anecdotes and just interesting fascinating writing – it is a masterpiece!

Richard L J

What a wonderful book, we are both quite stunned by the breadth of subject matter it contains, not only about the building, but Gorton itself.

Maurice & Christine J

What a beautiful book and what an epic achievement. That first Open Day was simply amazing and left such an impression on me. To see, bear witness and feel all that emotion and connection from people that hadn’t been there for years was almost overwhelming. Never seen anything like it before or since.

Hems D W

The book really is a great history of the Monastery over the years and your amazing restoration. Congratulations!

Sue & Lizzie

The book is a great testament of your work over the years – you are a formidable team!

Lorraine & Bob

Your book is brilliant.

Pam & Simon

I unpacked your absolutely marvellous book last week and just stood there for 20 minutes reading and looking at the pictures. What a legacy you and Paul have given to the community of Gorton. If it hadn’t been for yours and Paul’s foresight the Monastery would have been a mass of builder’s rubble and Gorton itself gone into further decline.

Val M

Thank you for sharing your amazing story in your beautiful, inspirational book. Before reading it we had no idea of the huge difficulties and challenges which you undertook for so many years. It is a fascinating read that you have brought together in a most elegant way. Please count on us for our ongoing support in your wonderful work.

Jonty & Sally G

There are no words to thank you enough for your beautiful book, I will always treasure and enjoy reading it.

Nerys

Once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down. Such a lot of hard work went it into it I don’t know how you managed to do it. Lots of memories of the early years and friends, some of whom have long since passed away. As a proud West Gortonian I was so pleased to read that the Monastery is referred to as being in West Gorton.

Marie K

Your wonderful book has kept me burning the midnight oil for quite some time. I have read it TWICE and thoroughly enjoyed every page. Really a super story and you are both amazing. An absolute triumph!

Janet N

The story of your legacy, your words and memories are so very beautifully, and personally presented with the choice of photographs and story lines. The book itself has a truly magical and uplifting feel to it.

Vanessa E

What a masterpiece it truly is. The care, the attention to detail, not least the time this beautiful portrayal of this magnificent building will have taken to complete. It will be displayed with pride on our best coffee table!

Edith & Stephen C

It is an absolute masterpiece, a wonderful treasure trove of the story of the Monastery. What an achievement, you two have been utterly amazing, so many congratulations!

Phillida & Christopher P

Apart from the magnificence of its presentation, prose and design, the book narrates so powerfully the wonderful journey of the Monastery – so interesting, colourful and impactful and of course describing the particular challenges and so many successes that Elaine and Paul faced and achieved. The Monastery is quite an extraordinary tale of both adversity and particularly
success and benefit to people and the communities. Brilliant!

Robert H

I have spent some very soothing time this afternoon reading Terry Waite’s foreword, Elaine’s introduction and the first chapter. I will confess to peeking at the glorious photos and illustrations, but I intend to read a chapter every day. Whilst Elaine declares she is not a writer, the text is very engaging and Elaine’s energy and luminous optimism shine through from every page. She and Paul have dedicated themselves with unwavering altruism to an extraordinary project and well deserve the public recognition they have received. I salute you.

Elizabeth M

What a wonderful book. I am proud to have been part of such a glorious enterprise. Many congratulations!

Joan B