blueskygreentreesyellowsun's review against another edition
3.0
A good read for sure, but I wish that he hadn't skipped around so much. Within each chapter there were stories of multiple religions, so I'm not sure what the chapters were dividing. In any case, very interesting book.
patlo's review against another edition
4.0
One of the most unique non-fiction books I've ever read. It really made me think, and was at times silly, repulsive and odd.
A few years ago I had the occasion to travel to eastern Orthodox lands.
In Istanbul, our student group visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and in their church building are the relics of St John Chrysostum. It was a sacred moment for me, one who's never considered relics worth considering.
On another occasion day of that trip, our group was honored to be in a place where the Romanian Orthodox church was celebrating a holy day. At that celebration, relics of a national saint whose name I didn't catch, plus Constantine's mother Helena, and then plus St. Paul were present. I was part of the group allowed to file past. I didn't know they were present, and it was confusing, but seeing the depth of devotion of these Christians and their honoring of these relics was a powerful experience.
In the end, Manseau hits upon a truth: While we may think of faith as an abstact, spiritual thing, it's always got flesh and bone and hair and blood to it. And so should our understanding of how we honor those who've gone before.
A few years ago I had the occasion to travel to eastern Orthodox lands.
In Istanbul, our student group visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and in their church building are the relics of St John Chrysostum. It was a sacred moment for me, one who's never considered relics worth considering.
On another occasion day of that trip, our group was honored to be in a place where the Romanian Orthodox church was celebrating a holy day. At that celebration, relics of a national saint whose name I didn't catch, plus Constantine's mother Helena, and then plus St. Paul were present. I was part of the group allowed to file past. I didn't know they were present, and it was confusing, but seeing the depth of devotion of these Christians and their honoring of these relics was a powerful experience.
In the end, Manseau hits upon a truth: While we may think of faith as an abstact, spiritual thing, it's always got flesh and bone and hair and blood to it. And so should our understanding of how we honor those who've gone before.
bookboss85's review
4.0
Being raised as a devout Catholic I was very interested in reading more about Relics. However this book not only covered Catholic relics, but Buddhist and Hindu relics as well. I learned a lot what qualifies a relic and how easy people were passing fakes off as relics before they put more stringent guideslines on them.
richardwells's review
4.0
Something of a romp through the world of relic adoration. We get chapters on Buddha's tooth, strands of hair from Mohammed' s beard, and my favorite, Jesus's foreskin - which some people think ended up as one of the rings around Saturn. This is a book to kick off a fatwah from any one of the world's major religions, but if you can check your righteousness at the door it's amusing and educational. I mean, prior to this book I've never given even half a thought to Jesus's foreskin, now it's dinner party conversation.
mstoddart's review
2.0
I was really hoping I would enjoy this book more than I did. I am so intrigued by the world of religious relics, but I just could not get into this book.
kathleenitpdx's review
4.0
Peter Manseau visits relics of many religions. He explains the history of humanity's relationship to the remains of holy people who have left us. He relates his experiences and shares his thoughts on what this could mean.
The book is respectful but has it's humorous moments and does not shy from the questions of authenticity.
The book is respectful but has it's humorous moments and does not shy from the questions of authenticity.
htetrasme's review
2.0
Interesting but disorganized and ultimately somewhat inconsequential travel journal / collection of historical anecdotes / meditation on the subject of holy relics.
summerofsoapsgmailcom's review
3.0
This was an interesting nonfiction book. Manseau travels the world, visiting religious relics. Whether he's in a mosque in Aleppo, Syria, or a monastery in Goa, India, his travels and recounting of the history of relics are always interesting. Sometimes the book felt a little too breezy, and I would've liked a more traditional narrative structure. In the end, I was left wanting more, more information, more stories, more relics. Overall, a quick and enjoyable travelogue worth a read, especially for those interested in religion, history, and the human condition.
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