Pax is the motto of Brede Abbey. Yet its peace is the peace of God-"not," as Godden brings to her readers' notice, "the world's peace." The walls of Brede witness life of unceasing work and prayer, little creature comfort, persistent disappointment and misunderstanding-yet a life of peace all the same, unswervingly joyful and loving. Into this life enters Philippa Talbot, ambitious, independent, successful, forsaking her beautifully arranged career in the world for a vocation of complete self-gift to God. Over the years and through myriad relationships in Brede and beyond, Philippa's spirit is tested and her mission refined, to the point of becoming "not what thou art, nor what thou hast been, beholdeth God with His merciful eyes, but what thou wouldst be."

A milestone in Catholic literature, In This House of Brede is fiction of the highest caliber: no saccharine, simpering imitation of life, but a wholehearted, unreserved reflection of reality in its awful fullness.