{"product_id":"cracks-in-the-cloister-9781949996081","title":"Cracks in the Cloister","description":"\u003ch2\u003eCracks in the Cloister: Cartoons from Inside Monastic Life\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDiscover the lighter side of cloistered living through the witty cartoons of Brother Choleric, the pen name of Dom Hubert van Zeller. This collection offers a rare glimpse into the daily lives of monks and nuns, revealing the very human moments that unfold behind monastery walls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eInside the Cloistered World\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing from sixty years as a Benedictine monk at Downside Abbey, van Zeller captures the quirks, foibles, and endearing characteristics of religious community life. His cartoons highlight the universal human nature that persists even in the most rarified spiritual environments. From the interactions between brothers to the small daily dramas of monastic routine, these illustrations bring warmth and humor to a world often viewed as austere and distant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePraised by Monks and Literary Giants Alike\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBrother Choleric's work earned acclaim from diverse audiences, including his fellow monks and notable literary figures such as Evelyn Waugh. The cartoons resonate because they balance reverence for monastic life with honest, droll observations about the people who live it. Van Zeller's artistic eye captures both the sacred and the sweetly ridiculous aspects of religious community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Artist: Dom Hubert van Zeller\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDom Hubert van Zeller (d. 1984) was anything but a conventional monk. A man of prodigious talents, he excelled as a sculptor with a clean, distinctive style influenced by the Ditchling artistic community. He was also a prolific spiritual writer whose books remain in print and continue to guide readers today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYet for many, van Zeller is most memorable as Brother Choleric, the pseudonymous cartoonist who brought joy to countless readers while perhaps causing the occasional raised eyebrow among his superiors. His caricatures demonstrate a rare combination of artistic skill, spiritual depth, and genuine affection for the monastic vocation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePerfect For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis collection appeals to anyone interested in religious life, monastic traditions, or thoughtful humor about human nature. Whether you're familiar with Catholic religious orders or simply appreciate insightful cartooning, Cracks in the Cloister offers an accessible and entertaining window into a unique way of life. The cartoons work equally well for personal reflection, gift-giving to those in religious life, or anyone who appreciates the intersection of faith and humor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eCholeric, Brother:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e Dom Hubert van Zeller (d.1984), a far-from-boring monk of Downside Abbey, had prodigious talents which have given joy to many a monk, though perhaps some heartburn to an abbot or two. He was very gifted sculptor, with a clean and distinctive style that breathes the air of Ditchling. He was a popular spiritual writer whose works are still in print. Yet for those who were not his immediate brethren at Downside, he is most memorable for his books of caricatures published under the pseudonym Brother Choleric.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eVan Zeller, Hubert:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e Fr Hugh Somerville Knapman, Order of Saint Benedict, Douai Abbey.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"About Comics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50493318070546,"sku":"9781949996081","price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_563b6275-ea30-4735-87bf-c047e80e0dba.jpg?v=1730643380","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/cracks-in-the-cloister-9781949996081","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}