Reviews

Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Gregory Boyle

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jordanrosez90's review

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

5.0

ojeda87's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

I really enjoyed this book. I grew up in a town that had some homeboy industries services and I had my car washed with the homies. I heard about this book because I met somebody that was mentored by Father G. It took me a few years to get around to this on my TBR and am glad I finally did.

I liked Father G's narration and voice because it conveys the emotions he's referring to - compassion, love, humor, confusion, frustration, and more. Sometimes I didn't feel the anecdotes chosen really conveyed what he was focusing on, but mostly they did and the anecdotes showed a lot of the lived realities of people that end up joining gangs.

There were a lot of references to pop culture, literature, and some scripture. I like several theological writers and figures such as San Oscar Arnulfo Romero and Tricia Hersey and this book fits with the type of theology influenced writing that I do enjoy.

marie_adina's review

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5.0

This book was hard to put down. Within the same paragraph I'd laugh and cry at Father Boyle's account of a homie and demonstration of love. The book did a good job of having me realize my thorough inadequacy while deeply inspiring me to be a better at loving all people.

alexelizondo's review

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4.0

read for a paper for class, was pleasantly surprised! an easy read and enjoyable. great to learn about good gang intervention work and its intersection w faith.