Perfect Intimacy Hardcover – April 1, 2006

I enjoyed this book very much. The photographs show such respect to the subjects who allowed Lili Almog access into their cloistered world. Gazing at the photographs of these beautiful women puts one in a state of contentment and peace. I go to it often to calm my mind.

This photography book, Perfect Intimacy, was disappointing. I was hoping for something that would show the lifestyle and surroundings of these nuns through artistic photography. In fact, close to half the book is stark portraiture, and most of the rest is photos of bleak interiors with small open windows. I don't know what the photographer was trying to do, but the overall impression is claustrophobic. There is no sense of transcendence or spirituality here. Looking through this book, I can only keep asking myself why a woman would choose this pointless existence (that's an impression of the photos, not of religious orders in principle).Conceptually, the photos are unimaginative, bordering in places on cliche. Formally, they are inconsistent. Portraiture should both suggest an unaffected individual personality behind the mask of the anonymous photo and suggest a universal humanity that resonates with the viewer. Only a few portraits in this book rise to those challenges. Still-lifes and landscapes need to balance compositional concerns with journalistic ones. The photographer obviously has a good trained eye, but the viewer is left with little clear idea of the environment in which these nuns live.This wasn't the book I was expecting/hoping it would be.

I've always had a fondness for photgraphy books about monks and nuns and sisters which continues even after 16 of religious life. However, this book was a big disappointment and the general reaction of the sisters in my community was the same. The photos do not in the least convey the "soul" of cloistered, contemplative life. The poses are stark and stiff and remind me of passport photos! Except for a few, almost none of the photos convey the dynamic relationship of the nuns among themselves or with God.I know that was not Lili Almog intentions because she writes enthusiastically about her experience with these Carmelite Nuns however the results are a disappointment.

We found the photos in this book to be very moving. I appreciate the fact that the book contains just photos and not text. We have enjoyed gazing at so many of the photos for several minutes. In each photo, the simplicity of the surroundings is a beautiful thing. This book is respectfully done. It's a wonderful coffee table book, as well as a book for one's personal library that can be viewed again and again.

This book is a total surprise. As "simple" and modest as is the life of nuns, so are Lili Almog's photographs - both embodying attributes of the eminent and the infinite. This is an exquisite photographic exploration of the less common feminine, which shows that deep inside every-woman, nests a secret desire to abandon the self into greatness. Silent yet clearly thought provoking, Almog's photographs invited me to search inside for all the possible or impossible "what ifs", and for the different shapes greatness may take. Looking forward to see more of her work. :-)

This is a lovely book of photography. Lili Almog takes us inside the sometimes mysterious world of contemplative nuns with photos of the sisters and their convents. Reflecting the quiet of her subjects, Almog provides little prose or explanation; the pictures alone allow us a glimpse of the simplicity that leaves space for God to enter in. The book is neither stark nor romantic in its view of contemplative life, and the photos are works of art.

'til beholding this photographic gem, I'd always assumed that only the great novels (& you-know-what) could re-awaken that "wish it would never end" feeling. A truly remarkable journey through uncharted ground and the portals of time. Amen, sister Lil!

Photographer Lili Almog truly impresses with this volume: beautiful photographs, great compositions, enlightening observations... Itotally enjoyed every page, and highly recommend it to all. Brava!!

Here is a unique photo essay of Carmelite nuns in several countries.Special permission was given for Lili Almog to film the secret and hidden lives of one of the strictest orders of nuns.The close ups are especially breath taking, where we can see the faces of the nuns in all ages of life. The publicity shot of a nun holding out her arms in siloette isnow iconic. I prefered the American photographs best, but all are so beautiful, in their own way. The loveliness of the quiet and meditative sisters begins to haunt the reader. Who are they? What are they thinking? Have they found God?It may be an eye opener to many in the modern,atheistic society, to know that such a radical lifestyle can still exists.In their silence and self sacrifice, somehow these Carmelite nuns have something to teach us all.

Photos are wonderful, and reading it was peaceful, but for such a thick book there was barely any written work and entire page spaces wasted where they could be filled witg some informative information or even some prayers or quotes from the bible.