Bringing in the Sheaves: Wheat and Chaff from My Years as a Priest

Description

After a life of sex and drugs and the Communards – brilliantly recounted in the highly acclaimed first volume of his memoirs FATHOMLESS RICHES – the Reverend Richard Coles went on to devote his life to God and Christianity. He is also a much-loved broadcaster, presenting SATURDAY LIVE on Radio 4 and giving us regular reason to PAUSE FOR THOUGHT on Radio 2.

What is life like for the parson in Britain today? For centuries the Church calendar – and the Church minister – gave character and personality to British life. Today, however, as the shape of the year has become less distinct and faith no longer as privileged or persuasive, that figure has become far more marginal.

In BRINGING IN THE SHEAVES, Reverend Coles answers this question. From his ordination during the season of Petertide, through Advent and Christmas to Lent and Easter, he gives us a unique insight into his daily experience in the ministry, with all the joy, drama, difficulty and humour which life – and indeed death – serves up in varying measures.

Written with extraordinary charm and erudition, BRINGING IN THE SHEAVES features a multitude of characters and events from parish life against a backdrop of the Christian calendar.

Others mapping the daily clerical grind might hold forth on divine transcendence and immanence, on our fallen natures and need of grace. Not so Richard Coles … Bringing in the Sheaves is an invitation to see the world as he does: the ultimate in the intimate – after all, what other way is there?—Christopher Harding, SUNDAY TELEGRAPHBringing in the Sheaves is another lively and perceptive collection of anecdotes and insights derived from his recent experience of juggling daily life as a parish priest with his curious hinterland of burgeoning celebrity. Coles is a witty and likable raconteur—Phil Harrison, GUARDIANColes draws on his 11 years in the clergy, with all the humour, quirky characters and incidents that life – and death – serve up—MAIL ON SUNDAY EVENT MAGAZINEThere is much to teach us and inspire us as well as to entertain and make us laugh—Paul Richardson, THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND NEWSPAPERHis life story is intriguing – pop star to Anglican vicar – but it is his insights into the church’s present situation, Christian belief and above all human encounters that are honest, sometimes funny and occasionally revelatory—Susan Hill, THE SPECTATOR Books of the YearAn entertaining mix of the sacred and the secular, the gossipy and ritualistic grandeur that attempts to give the reader a feel of the texture of the life of a vicar—Teddy Jamieson, THE HERALD MAGAZINEIt’s a vision of contemporary Anglicanism as seen through a particular, perhaps slightly glitterballed perspective. I enjoyed it even though I’m an atheist—THE HERALD MAGAZINERichly associative and absorbing—Nick Curtis, RADIO TIMESA series of often hilarious vignettes—SAGAIt is a delightful compilation of thoughts, memories and incidents, all told with his signature humanity and humour—CHOICEColes offers an engaging portrait of the lived Christian life in a way that speaks openly and intriguingly to both cradle Anglicans and cagey agnostics—Christopher Landau, CHURCH TIMESScreamingly funny—Thomas Blaikie, THE LADYCharming … This is a book to keep on the arm of your chair and browse through—Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENTGreat riches, spiritual and worldly, and an honest perspective on humanity—Susan Hill, THE LADY

Additional information

Dimensions	1 × 6.25 × 9.5 in
Imprint	Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Format	General Trade
ISBN-13	09780297609889
ISBN-10	0297609882
Author	Richard Coles
Audience	General / adult
BISAC	BIO018000, BIO031000, REL003000
Subjects	BIO018000, BIO031000, REL003000