lokster71's review
2.0
This is Frank Skinner's religious book. However, being Frank Skinner it is a serious book entwined with jokes. As he himself says, as part of an extended metaphor, in the introduction: "The intention is serious and completely devout, but the pilgrim just feels more at home in the motley than in sackcloth and ashes." (p. 5)
This is a short book. It is Skinner's prayers and they seem to fall into two categories. Short, sharp jokes and longer, more meditative ones dealing with bigger issues: on the nature of prayer; on the Trinity; on wealth and getting into heaven; on Heaven and Hell; on the fate of atheists; whether he should pray to just God, the Father or the multitude of Saints. These are all interesting and are questions that we have probably all asked if we have flirted with issues of faith.
Frank Skinner always writes with clarity and intelligence, as well as wit. It is also a personal and honest book. I think you get an insight into Frank Skinner that even his biographies don't necessarily give you. And faith in a cynical atheist friendly modern world isn't something a lot of people are comfortable talking about. This is one of the book's strengths. It is also one of the book's weaknesses.
There was one section that I found a little self-indulgent, which was his prayer focused on "it is easier for a rich man..." Now, in a personal book, it is no surprise that a wealthy man should be concerned about what this means for his eternity. But this is the one part of the book where I think Frank Skinner is looking for a way out. Now, I've never thought about that passage on more than a superficial level and I think Skinner's one suggestion that it means that a rich person has to work harder to get into heaven seems a fair reading, although wealth isn't something Jesus seems particularly fond of. So, it is purely my personal feelings about this section that go against it. I'm not saying Skinner is a bad man looking for a way out. I just felt excluded by this section.
I've only given it two stars. I'm pondering whether I'm being harsh, but in the end, the star rating is the personal feeling you get from reading a book and whilst I thought it was interesting, intelligent and well-written it didn't quite reach me the way it might have been intended to. Sorry Frank.
This is a short book. It is Skinner's prayers and they seem to fall into two categories. Short, sharp jokes and longer, more meditative ones dealing with bigger issues: on the nature of prayer; on the Trinity; on wealth and getting into heaven; on Heaven and Hell; on the fate of atheists; whether he should pray to just God, the Father or the multitude of Saints. These are all interesting and are questions that we have probably all asked if we have flirted with issues of faith.
Frank Skinner always writes with clarity and intelligence, as well as wit. It is also a personal and honest book. I think you get an insight into Frank Skinner that even his biographies don't necessarily give you. And faith in a cynical atheist friendly modern world isn't something a lot of people are comfortable talking about. This is one of the book's strengths. It is also one of the book's weaknesses.
There was one section that I found a little self-indulgent, which was his prayer focused on "it is easier for a rich man..." Now, in a personal book, it is no surprise that a wealthy man should be concerned about what this means for his eternity. But this is the one part of the book where I think Frank Skinner is looking for a way out. Now, I've never thought about that passage on more than a superficial level and I think Skinner's one suggestion that it means that a rich person has to work harder to get into heaven seems a fair reading, although wealth isn't something Jesus seems particularly fond of. So, it is purely my personal feelings about this section that go against it. I'm not saying Skinner is a bad man looking for a way out. I just felt excluded by this section.
I've only given it two stars. I'm pondering whether I'm being harsh, but in the end, the star rating is the personal feeling you get from reading a book and whilst I thought it was interesting, intelligent and well-written it didn't quite reach me the way it might have been intended to. Sorry Frank.
irnbru's review
5.0
congratulations to frank skinner for finding the exact niche target audience of this book in me
More...