emmavani's review
5.0
I fell in love with Padraig O Tuama on Krista Tippett's "On Being" podcast, her interview with him is my most listened to episode of any podcast. His voice, both written and spoken, is like a salve for the soul. It's a hard book to sell people on (what is it about, northern ireland? conflict resolution? faith? being gay in the church? analysis of Tolkein?) Another reason it's hard to label is that Tuama is clearly a christian, but he writes about faith and God in a way that is loving but sometimes doubtful sometimes frustrated and fundamentally universalist. I think it is a hard sell for passionate atheists and fundamentalist christians alike. Unlike most christian fundamentalists, he believes in the life we have on Earth as more important than any afterlife we might get. This made it a perfect book for an "agnostic-but-spiritual" like me.
I don't know what else to say about this book other than that this will not be the last time I read it.
I don't know what else to say about this book other than that this will not be the last time I read it.
brittishliterature's review against another edition
Will probably revisit another time around, really like it
amandac43's review
5.0
Hello, dear ones. This book is important. From the first chapter, I was swept away by the brilliance and beauty of the words. And the way Ó Tuama weaves gospel stories with his own experiences with pain and with heartbreak and with hope will create an inspiring tapestry. He writes of understanding God and not. He writes of knowing he was gay and not knowing what that meant. He writes of hate and loving himself and loving others. He greets the peace, the uncertainty the despair, the unease, with a simple word: hello.
Please read this book. May your heart feel understood. May you be greeted by a kindred searching soul.
Please read this book. May your heart feel understood. May you be greeted by a kindred searching soul.
debbiecuddy's review against another edition
5.0
I love when a book comes into your life at just the right time. I really needed to read this and I need to read it again and again. It spoke to my heart in so many ways. Thank you, Padraig O Tuama.
revmegankelly's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
A gentle book, pondering faith, story, & the human experience, with occasional confrontations on the ways we abuse one another and ourselves with religion & rigid categories. Especially recommend for those who are seeking a spirituality free of binary thinking or the pressure to align with a certain signs, or those who may have a well-defined faith but suspect they might benefit from more flexible thinking.
hillersg7's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful! Hello to wisdom and being and becoming who we are meant to be.