The World, the Flesh, and Fr. Smith

by Bruce Marshall

To ride along in the mind and heart of Father Smith is to experience the toil, frustration, humiliation, mercy, love, fear, and patience that brings this tender and unassuming priest to such contemplation. You will be mesmerized by this brilliant, deeply moving account of the life of a Scottish Catholic priest in the first half of the twentieth century. This classic novel is a small-town epic that is as humorous as it is introspective. Father Smith's down-to-earth nature and thoughts help reveal truths about the reality of sin, suffering, and the spiritual struggle we face. His priesthood, marked by relentless changes through the earthly passage of time, is embraced by the constancy of human frailty and God's mercy. Renowned author Bruce Marshall combines the action of a screenplay with the descriptive talents of a novelist and offers an insightful picture of the challenges, comforts, and singular delights of the faith life. Through rich, vivid characterization and crisp, compelling dialogue, your mind will be enlightened, your heart renewed, and your spirit fed. Father Smith's thinking -- sometimes sacred and clever, other times acerbic or hilarious -- always touches upon the divine and the human. It will revive

You will journey with Father Smith to the poorest of neighborhoods and be fascinated by his conversations with sailors and other working people. Father's gift at "becoming all things to all men" to win souls for Christ will inspire you to share God's love with everyone you encounter. As he tirelessly brings the grace of the sacraments and comfort to the downtrodden or those near death, you will appreciate the many sacrifices of his priestly heart, which reflect the kindness of the Good Shepherd. "Father Smith is the epitome of what a good priest should be," one reviewer enthused. "This is a witty, spiritual, absolutely wonderful story of a dedicated priest who lives his vocation to the fullest."

Genres: Fiction, Catholic, Historical Fiction, Religion, Humor, Literature, Faith

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1944

About the author

Lieutenant-Colonel Claude Cunningham Bruce Marshall, known as Bruce Marshall was a prolific Scottish writer who wrote fiction and non-fiction books on a wide range of topics and genres. His first book, A Thief in the Night came out in 1918, possibly self-published. His last, An Account of Capers was published posthumously in 1988, a span of 70 years.

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pope Francis recommended this author to me. Well … not to me exactly. Let’s back up a little. In the Holy Father’s recent book, The Name of God is Mercy, the pope mentions an incident from the Bruce Marshall book, To Every Man a Penny. It’s a whimsical incident about a young man who can’t quite bring himself to feel contrition over past trysts with lovely young creatures. His compassionate confessor suggests maybe he can feel sorry that he can’t yet be sorry. This the penitent can do.

As I was unable to locate a copy of To Every Man a Penny I settled for this book, The World, the Flesh and Father Smith, which was every bit as good as the other promised to be. In fact, there’s a scene very similar to the one described above by Pope Francis.

Father Smith is a selfless Scottish priest who watches over his flock as would be expected of a Good Shepherd. He has his share of ups and downs as time marches relentlessly through the first half of the 20th century. The good padre oversees the hatching, matching and dispatching of many beloved souls.

There was one dated reference to the obsolete Catholic tenant of ‘limbo’ explained by Father Smith and more than a little Latin prayers and French dialogue to know, translate and/or skip. These criticisms aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I’m looking forward to reading more by Marshall.

[Juliana Cardine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for the first time when I was sixteen and trying to revive my interest in books. As soon as I finished it, I remember promising myself I'd reread it some day. It only took me seven years....I can't wait to share it with my students (and reread it a third time).

[Devs38 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book set in Scotland covering roughly the 1st half of the 20th Century from approximately 1908 through WW2. Follows the life of a Priest, Father Smith, and the Community both Catholic and Non-Catholic, in an unnamed Scottish City. Funny, philosophical, excellent distillation of Christian/Catholic philosophy without being to stringently dogmatic or philosophic. It's a distillation of theology into virtues everyone can understand and appreciate. Good story, brings to life the character and community.

[John Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this very insightful and humorous books as a seminarian on the advice of an old priest. Now that I am priest I appreciate this book even more! Far from being an intimidating read, this book opens up the reader to a much different way of life and love - the parish priest. I understand now why that older priest suggested that I should read it every year. If you want to understand what the priesthood is really about, read this little book.

[Elettra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veramente bella e significativa la figura di questo prete, padre Smith, che agli inizi del secolo inizia la sua missione di petre cattolico in una città scozzese per la maggior parte presbiteriana. La sua parrocchia è piccolissima e molto povera, ma la fede di quest’uomo è grande, pura, candida come potrebbe essere quella di un bambino. E tutte le persone che lo avvicinano, siano esse cattoliche o no, rimangono colpite. Nella sua vita, egli segue tutte le vicende storiche e sociali della nazione, rimanendone spesso travolto e colpito, ma mai gli viene meno la fede, il buonumore, l’amore verso il prossimo, verso la chiesa e i suoi superiori. E l’umanità che lo circonda, ora arcigna ma molto più spesso affettuosa, si sente accolta e amata da questa chiesa semplice, dalla sua predicazione diretta e chiara finalizzata soprattutto alla comprensione dei più semplici.

[Katie Newberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives you the chance to watch the lived-in faith of Fr Smith as he interacts with ordinary people and goes through times of peace and war. I particularly enjoyed the slightly rag-tag team of bishops doing their best to love generously, balance zeal and frustration, wrestle through muddy questions in a modernizing world, and grow old together. This book is heartwarming and often hilarious, and full of very familiar humanity. Some points of difference with the Roman Catholic perspective, but many deep wells of rich truth.

[Paula Sáez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Al principio me pareció un pelín lento, pero estoy muy contenta de haber dado con esta mini joya de la literatura. Un libro tan sencillo como auténtico, precioso.

[John Leek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no clue where I heard of this book or what led me to buy it some years ago. I'm thankful moving my books led me to rediscover it!

This book is written extraordinarily well. Individual phrases and stories are worth savoring. It is written from the perspective of a Scottish Catholic priest. His view is frequently humorous, yet not unkind. The only places words seem potentially unnecessary are discussions of Catholic theology, however even those don't go on too long.

The author captured many of the thoughts I've had in my short ministry, though with better words.

Amazing to me is that the novel covers so much, yet does so without setting anyone (other than sin/the human condition) as a true enemy. This is rare!

This was a book to savor, to laugh with, to ponder.. and certainly one worth reading again.

[Brad Linden]

I added this to my list in early 2019 because it was cited in another book I had read. I have long since forgotten what book cited it and what the point was. But this was a nice story about a Scottish priest and his supposedly "unremarkable" life.

[Digging through my GoodReads timeline, I'm guessing it was "Garden City" that referenced it, but I don't have a copy on hand to confirm].

[Veronica Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Marshall expertly weaves the irrefutable Truths of the Faith with colloquial quips, pairing humor with reverence, and offering enlightening insights into the everyday. 11/10!!

[Angelina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet, very Catholic story of a priest in Scotland in the early 20th century. Some lovely, clear thinking in the quotes from Fr. Smith-I enjoyed his inner monologue.

[Luci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not my favorite style of writing/storytelling, and it definitely took me a bit to get into it. However, the characters and messages made it worth it.

[Jan Kubiznak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pokud má někdo dojem, že je na světě spousta věcí špatně a lidé až příliš slabí, měl by po této knize sáhnout. Ona se mu to sice nebude snažit rozmlouvat, ale nabídne řešení. Číst trampoty o. Smithe bylo pro mě čisté potěšení. Tohle je typ knihy, ke které se rád vracím. Kromě hlubokých zamyšlení i moudrý humor a optimismus.

[Willa Guadalupe Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet little book of fiction about a priest's life, written in 1945, set around 1908- 1940. This is a favorite of mine since I was about 12. Funny & serious & delightful. I re-read it every few years.

[Roger Hollis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is about the life of a priest in Scotland from just before WWI to WWII.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars

"With his arms spread and his thumbs and forefingers joined, the priest prayed that the servants and handmaids of the Lord who had gone before in the sign of faith might rest in Christ and that to those whose souls and whose bodies had once itched and sinned far back beneath forgotten Spanish moons God might grant a place of refreshment, light, and peace. Then, when he had communicated himself, he was away from the altar and along the altar rails, popping the frail flake of Christ into the mouths of saints and sinners that Christ might keep their bodies and souls until life everlasting, because nothing else mattered."

What a fascinating book! Originally published in 1945, this "slice-of-life" novel follows a Scottish priest named Fr. Smith, the other clergymen and women religious of his diocese, and his lay parishioners as they go about their lives in early 20th-century Scotland. There were so many interesting characters to explore! One of my favorites was Monsignor O'Duffy, he always got a good laugh out of me and I felt like I could just imagine him as a real person. Throughout the novel, you see the reactions of Fr. Smith and his contemporaries to the various societal changes and wars happening in the world during the years between 1908 and 1945. There are a lot of concrete references to both world and Church history, which was really cool to read. There are also a lot of interesting theological conversations between characters that gave me a lot to reflect on. Certainly very edifying for an examination of my own faith and conscience. Some of my most favorite parts, though, were the descriptions of the Mass and the Sacraments. The author puts a lot of detail into describing each part of the Mass and makes references to Latin prayers throughout. As somebody who attends a Latin Mass regularly, these descriptions struck such a chord with me. Such an inspiring look at the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith. I would definitely recommend for Catholics or those who are interested in Catholicism to read this book. A great start to my reading in 2024!

[Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books are fine but somewhat heavy to read, while others are easy but shallow and unsatisfying. Usually, we are searching for stories that are at the same time compelling, substantial and easy-flowing, in terms of pace and writing. For me, these are the perfect books, for fiction is meant to be pleasant, and people tend to go back to those things they remember fondly. This novel reaches all these marks for me, and I cannot say much, for fear of not saying enough. You would think it would be a tragedy at the end, since those simple Scottish priests didn't seem to figure out entirely how the world was truly changing around them, and everything seems to be even more degenerate in our days. But there's no tragedy. It didn't matter if they committed mistakes. It didn't matter if modern people didn't understand them, or vice versa, because God's grace is what matters above all, and it doesn't measure people by their merits, vices, or ideologies. What I took is that grace can triumph over the modern world, and over the past, and the future, and everything else to come until the end times. Till there, our duties will lie where they always are: obey the Church, practice the Gospel, be kind and charitable to all, and "Christus nihil praeponere".

This is also the 75th book I've read this year, and I've never read that much fiction in a single year over my entire life. And this conquest still feels unfulfilling. Most of the things I've read left me cold. It's true you have to read the good and the bad and the "it exists" to develop taste, and you need taste if you want to be a critic or writer, or just a good reader; but I don't think I would recommend everything to everyone, since the best things worth our time are few, and the ones the common folk prefer to ignore. At the same time, you won't find gems if you don't mine through stones.

Maybe our prize is to find gems like this one and to be happy ourselves, even when others cannot understand it.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read covering 30-odd years of the life of a humble Catholic priest in Scotland.

The opening chapter frames the inner-struggle of Father Smith, who, loving those around him, has a penetrating but singular view into the "world" and the "flesh". The opening Chapter had me hoping for a lot, and dreaming for a book that I didn't realise needs to be written, as Marshall articulated great things from a humble and hopeful vantage. And while he didn't fully 'land the plane', the ensuing chapters were good, sometimes repetitive, with some golden nuggets including the famous line that is often attributed to G.K. Chesterton: "The man who rings the brothel doors is unconsciously looking for God."

As good authors do, they bring to a contemplative space by the end, and Marshall brought me to an appreciation for the humble, faithful work of humble faithful men, while also longer for greater zeal in my own life for things of significance.

[Sarah Gerbers · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book has many glowing reviews, it just wasn’t for me. It’s a remarkable book because it’s about the “unremarkable” days of ordinary humans, but I found it a chore to pick up.
Perhaps it’s because I’m not Catholic, but it surely didn’t hold my attention or captivate my interest.

Perhaps I would hold it as cherished and beautiful if I were of the Catholic faith. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Madison Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming and spiritually touching, but it went on a little too long in my opinion. It often felt like the author was meandering and repeating himself. Maybe if it had been a novella, or more structured set of short stories, I would have preferred it. Still, it was a pleasant read, and the story’s spirituality was compelling.

[Maggie Eisenberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story itself is almost beside the point. The best parts are when the title character ponders the nature of sin, of grace, of the human heart, and of the role of the church.

[Fernando Gonzalo Pellico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sencilla y emotiva obra sobre la vida de un sacerdote y sus feligreses en la Escocia de principios del siglo XX. Una obra muy bonita y que representa bien la vida de un ministro de Cristo.

[Callaghan S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very comfy

[Mattmus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastico....

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was given to me by a coworker to borrow and took me over a year to actually pick up and read— but I’m glad I did!!! Surprisingly moving as well as being funny and well written.

[Conor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful book.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timeless gem.

[Lindsay Partridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredibly beautiful and yet also laugh out loud funny at times. Father Smith's wry observations of village life around him and the story of a life well-lived are delightful.

[Pedro María · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historia de un sacerdote católico escocés.

[Carol Bakker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this title in English: The World, the Flesh and Father Smith. For some reason, the English book is not on Goodreads.

I'd like to give it 3.5 stars.

Father Smith is a Catholic priest in Presbyterian Scotland, a priest who prays daily for Scotland’s conversion. I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel with such a strong emphasis on Catholic theology, and, at first, I found it off-putting. But I discovered that I appreciated many of this humble man’s thoughts. I think any conservative would appreciate the struggle to hold on to the old ways.

The book opens at the start of the twentieth century with the priests wondering how to respond to the first cinema in town. Father Smith baptizes two babies, whose lives we follow throughout the story. When the Great War begins, Father Smith works on the front line as a chaplain, hearing confessions and praying over the dead. His bishop predicts a spiritual revival will come out of the war, but Father Smith finds reality to be much different. What held my attention was Father Smith’s grappling with the tension from the static doctrines of the church and the rapidly changing culture.

I learned a host of Catholic nomenclature: sedilia (stone seats for the clergy), asperges (the rite of sprinkling Holy water), pyx (the container that holds consecrated bread), and pro-Cathedral (parish church temporarily serving as cathedral).