Issue Details: First known date: 2004... 2004 God's Callgirl : One Woman's Life Journey from Convent to Sex Worker
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

As a child, Carla van Raay experienced a trauma that changed her forever. Burdened by the weight of this terrible secret, all she wanted to do was survive. Life as a nun promised refuge from the outside world. Carla hoped to find love and understanding within the convent walls. Instead she became enmeshed in a complex system of regulations that drove her to the brink of madness. Finally released from her vows, she escaped back into the 'real' world. A hasty marriage and separation left Carla with a daughter to support. With few professional skills to rely on from her years as a nun, she turned to another age-old profession - prostitution. She worked as an escort to learn the ropes, then struck out on her own, setting up a massage service. God's callgirl was born. When eventually the seamier side of the business began to assert itself, Carla embarked on a journey to uncover the dark secret of her past. (Source: Trove)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Alternative title: Einmal Hölle und zurück : mein Leben als Heilige und Hure
Language: German

Other Formats

  • Also large print.

Works about this Work

Mature Heterosexuality : Catholic Women Religious' Celibacy in Australia's Liberation Decades Bronwyn Lee , 2023 single work criticism
— Appears in: Journal of Australian Studies , vol. 47 no. 3 2023; (p. 432-446)

'The celibacy of Catholic “women religious”, or nuns, presents a dilemma for familiar narratives about the 1960s and 1970s as Australia’s “liberation decades”. In this article, I analyse an important oral history archive, not previously considered for this purpose, to explain how women religious “made sense” of their sexuality in relation to the social and institutional transformations of this period. I argue that women religious in Australia redefined celibacy as mature heterosexuality, and by doing so, they identified as ordinary women even as they held to their special status within the Catholic Church.' (Publication abstract)

Degrees of Exploitation Joy W. Hooton , 2004 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , August no. 263 2004; (p. 21-22)

— Review of A Tuesday Thing Kate Shayler , 2004 single work autobiography ; God's Callgirl : One Woman's Life Journey from Convent to Sex Worker Carla Van Raay , 2004 single work autobiography
Memoir Dianne Dempsey , 2004 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 3 April 2004; (p. 6)

— Review of God's Callgirl : One Woman's Life Journey from Convent to Sex Worker Carla Van Raay , 2004 single work autobiography
Sister Double Act Victoria Laurie , 2004 single work biography
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian Magazine , 21-22 February 2004; (p. 22-25)
Memoir Dianne Dempsey , 2004 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 3 April 2004; (p. 6)

— Review of God's Callgirl : One Woman's Life Journey from Convent to Sex Worker Carla Van Raay , 2004 single work autobiography
Degrees of Exploitation Joy W. Hooton , 2004 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , August no. 263 2004; (p. 21-22)

— Review of A Tuesday Thing Kate Shayler , 2004 single work autobiography ; God's Callgirl : One Woman's Life Journey from Convent to Sex Worker Carla Van Raay , 2004 single work autobiography
Sister Double Act Victoria Laurie , 2004 single work biography
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian Magazine , 21-22 February 2004; (p. 22-25)
Mature Heterosexuality : Catholic Women Religious' Celibacy in Australia's Liberation Decades Bronwyn Lee , 2023 single work criticism
— Appears in: Journal of Australian Studies , vol. 47 no. 3 2023; (p. 432-446)

'The celibacy of Catholic “women religious”, or nuns, presents a dilemma for familiar narratives about the 1960s and 1970s as Australia’s “liberation decades”. In this article, I analyse an important oral history archive, not previously considered for this purpose, to explain how women religious “made sense” of their sexuality in relation to the social and institutional transformations of this period. I argue that women religious in Australia redefined celibacy as mature heterosexuality, and by doing so, they identified as ordinary women even as they held to their special status within the Catholic Church.' (Publication abstract)

Last amended 11 Sep 2013 12:46:10
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  • Melbourne, Victoria,
  • c
    Australia,
    c
  • c
    Netherlands,
    c
    Western Europe, Europe,
  • ca. 1940-2004
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