A thoughtful review of Drunks and Monks
Bonnie Rodgers of Boston Catholic TV left an astute review of Drunks and Monks on Amazon, so good I feel it deserves a wider audience:
"I read this book in anticipation of an interview. But I was drawn to request the interview because of the title. It's cutesy but heavy, everyone loves a funny drunk and certainly cartoon monks always draw a smile. In reality though drunks make for messy, emotionally strained lives and the lives of monks are austere and contemplative, focused on profound relationships with the Divine - traits we may aspire to in our daily lives.
Several of the reviewers mentioned that they couldn't put this book down, for me the experience was different, at some of the more intense, raw experiences with his parents and coarseness of the marriage I had to turn away, such painful encounters are tough to witness, particularly when you so desperately want the relationships and situations to be healed and then thrive.
The author's faith was drained for a number of reasons, not the least of which was his lack of an authentic childhood. Adult children of alcoholics know abandonment from the get-go, and confidence in having a sense of security is never present. This causes one to cling to artificial achievements to prove self-worth. It made sense to me that when John rediscovered his faith he went full-tilt into Catholic practices and prayer; fully embracing the faith, with our warts and all.
I thought this was a complex and beautiful memoir and look forward to more from Mr. Carmichael."
You may get your copy of Drunks and Monks here.
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| Bonnie Rodgers |
Several of the reviewers mentioned that they couldn't put this book down, for me the experience was different, at some of the more intense, raw experiences with his parents and coarseness of the marriage I had to turn away, such painful encounters are tough to witness, particularly when you so desperately want the relationships and situations to be healed and then thrive.
The author's faith was drained for a number of reasons, not the least of which was his lack of an authentic childhood. Adult children of alcoholics know abandonment from the get-go, and confidence in having a sense of security is never present. This causes one to cling to artificial achievements to prove self-worth. It made sense to me that when John rediscovered his faith he went full-tilt into Catholic practices and prayer; fully embracing the faith, with our warts and all.
I thought this was a complex and beautiful memoir and look forward to more from Mr. Carmichael."
You may get your copy of Drunks and Monks here.
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