The Voice of Silence: A Life of Love, Healing and Inspiration; The Remarkable Story of Princess Diana's Spiritual Guide
Shanley-Toffolo, whose quiet 1930s childhood in rural Ireland yielded an illustrious career as spiritual healer and confidante to the rich and powerful, uses a gentle voice and subtle pacing to produce a plausible, reflective and unforgettable memoir. At the convent she entered at age 16, she learned the art of healing and the power of silence, two attributes that infiltrated many aspects of her life and powerfully infuse her memoir. Shanley-Toffolo's eventual separation from the cloistered life led her to a deeper knowledge of her profession and to broader travels, including a stint as a nurse in Calcutta. An appointment to a convalescent hospital for the wealthy in Paris brought many friendships and inquiries from such people as the former Duke of Windsor, his wife, Wallis Simpson, and Princess Diana. The author's heartbreakingly human portrait of the dignified and suffering duke leaves a vivid impression. Through grief and pain, Shanley-Toffolo never relinquishes her ability to revel in silence and her trust in the almighty "Author of Love." She proudly states, "A quest for self-discovery, the pursuit of love in all its forms and the recognition and development of my capacity for healing have been clear themes of my journey... More than anything, one needs to be `wounded' oneself in order to truly help others." Lovely photographs, including candid shots of the royal family, complete this affecting work.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.