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Liked It “I loved this heartwarming story of one who befriended Father Joe and learned about life. This story is funny, touching, a little shocking and completely amazing! I highly recommend this one!” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“I loved this heartwarming story of one who befriended Father Joe and learned about life. This story is funny, touching, a little shocking and completely amazing! I highly recommend this one! ”
Lee B wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Interesting biography. There are many issues that I would like to discuss in a book discussion group. What about "the world worships a certain kind of newness?" (p. 240) "People are always changing themselves and their world. Very few of the changes are new. We rather confuse change and newness."”
Dolores B wrote this review Sunday, October 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Wonderful biography. I love reading this style of writing because you become one with the writer. Tony Hendra did a great job exploring his connections with the Catholicism. Interesting how he started out thinking he wanted to be a monk! He sure didn't end up there.”
Ginger M wrote this review Saturday, July 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“VADER JOE
Karin wrote this review Sunday, May 24 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Dit is het inspirerende, waargebeurde verhaal over de zoektocht van een humorist en de ongeëvenaarde wijsheid van een benedictijner monnik genaamd pater Joseph Warrilow. In 1955 heeft de veertienjarige Tony Hendra een verhouding met een getrouwde vrouw. Haar echtgenoot stuurt Tony naar een klooster, naar een priester die zijn ziel moet redden. Tony verwacht een forse straf; de priesters die hij van de katholieke school kent, deinzen er namelijk niet voor terug om jongens met een riem te slaan. Maar in plaats daarvan leert hij pater Joe kennen, een zachtmoedige, stotterende, onhandige benedictijn, die nooit woorden als 'verkeerd' of 'schuld' gebruikt. In de loop van veertig jaar gaat Tony's leven door heftige pieken en dalen. Zijn bezoeken aan 'vader Joe' zijn het enige vaste punt in zijn leven.
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“A little too much navel gazing on Hendra's part, but I guess you've got to do that if you're writing an autobiography. Fr. Joe is rather a peripheral character throughout the book. I would have liked to learn more about him, and less about Hendra's convoluted - and ultimately saved - miserable life. While Fr. Joe's wise jewels are scattered throughout the book, we have to see them through Hendra's eyes, wherever he may be at the time. Maybe a more appropriate title would be - My Miserable Life - and how Fr. Joe made it better.”
Lea C wrote this review Wednesday, February 4 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book expanded and enriched my view of God and those who love Him.”
Kellee K wrote this review Thursday, October 9 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I am not quite finished with the book yet but I am really enjoying it. The author is one of the original editors of National Lampoon and it's his spiritual and funny story! Great book!”
Janet S wrote this review Thursday, July 10 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“SPOILERS AHEAD: This was a lovely, lovely, lovely book that I will always treasure reading and will now pass it along to my brother Richard, who may benefit from it. Tony Hendra is well known in British and American circles over the years for his irreverent humor and biting satire (Monty Python, etc.) on television and in movies. I would have never guessed that Tony Hendra was so articulate, well educated or that he had had such an amazing spiritual journey in his life (he very nearly became a monk himself). This book chronicles an extraordinary friendship he had with a Benedictine monk, Father Joe. This was the father figure he never really had and the spiritual mentor who was always there for him despite many falls morally and otherwise. The relationship spans from the time Tony was first introduced to the monk at age 14, until Father Joe’s death some 35-40 years later. Through this entire time, he wrote and visited Father Joe countless times. Near the end when Tony wants to again try to enter into the monastery, Father Joe says no, this is not what you need to do. He explains what Tony’s calling really is, is to be a husband and father (something he’d been running from for years despite relationships and children). It is the best advice he could have ever given. Tony goes on to be a fulfilled and loving husband and father, with a vibrant spiritual life. Father Joe is what we all try to attain to. Never judgmental and pious, always supportive and always loving and always pointing back to God in the most gentle way. He constantly was trying to rid himself of self and adding more of God within him. He was just an amazing soul, no matter what Tony went through (plenty) or how far he strayed (many times and very far), Father Joe was there for him with his goofy, quiet, strong faith, amazing love and wisdom. Always he called him “Tony, dear” (I will remember that so much from this book). Of course, I cried at the end, when eventually, well advanced in age and having battled cancer more then once, Father Joe dies. Only after his death does Tony come to realize Father Joe had had this same kind of relationship with hundreds of people (from those who’d lost lovers to AIDS to Princess Diana). He’d never said a thing about another person (by comparison or otherwise) and he assumed they were each other’s only best friend. Another monk remarked to him, “Yes, everyone thought he was Father Joe’s best friend”. It is yet another learning lesson for Tony. He is so afraid to visit Father Joe’s grave, but in the end he realizes he is not there. He is everywhere. A wonderful, wonderful book. ”
Autumnseer wrote this review Saturday, March 22 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A good book that could have been a great book.
Peter Galamaga wrote this review Wednesday, January 2 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
After setting a tone of introspection and religious compassion, the author mars the book by engaging in some ugly Reagan-bashing. The leftist paradox in full view-”
“I liked this story of how the priest influenced the author's life”
Magickdawn wrote this review Monday, November 5 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
