Father in a Fix

Bless Me, Father #3

by Neil Boyd

From the series that inspired the hit London Weekend Television sitcom Bless Me, Father: After six months at St. Jude’s, Father Neil finds his parish as outrageous as ever

Between the barbs of Mrs. Pring and the grandstanding of Father Duddleswell, the past six months for Father Boyd have been the most eventful of his life. It is now New Year’s Eve. The year 1951 is right around the corner, and Neil has made his resolution: Wise up. With the crazy collection of characters at his parish, this will be no easy feat.
 
Father Neil always tries to do the right thing, but he encounters one misadventure after another. Whether the cantankerous Father Duddleswell has just been identified as the prime suspect in the killing of a gambling parishioner’s smelly pig or a generous attempt to give Father Duddleswell a day off goes zanily haywire, Father Neil manages to tackle every situation with good cheer.

Genres: Fiction, Humor, Christian

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

pseudonym of Peter de Rosa

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

As funny as the first two, but becoming less believable. It's possible all these things happened to one guy in less than a year...but now it strains credulity.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one (again) fits into that comfy-wumfy warm-sweater space of moderately drôle tales that keeps one happily turning pages while sipping whiskey or whatever by the fireside on an autumn evening. Ah, the good old days of yore in small-village England.

There are several episodes in the book, each episode being a few chapters long. In one episode Neil has to teach little schoolers about the birds and the bees. (This is Catholic stuff, remember, so you can probably guess how that might go.) In another episode the two fathers have to perform a burial at sea... All the tales are absorbing, but I particularly liked the whole thing about the neighbor's pigs. Not to mention the "back-to-front" wedding adventure, oh my.

I bought the almost-omnibus five-volume set of these books (on sale, btw, for not much more than a pound in today's dollars), and there are two more books to go, so I'll devour and report on them in due course.

[Evan Hays · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. It's right up there with James Herriot and P.G. Wodehouse for something to read when you just want something to enjoy while also being well written. This one happened to also be perfect to read this time of year because it starts at New Year's Day and goes to St. Patrick's Day. I will save the final two for a little later, but look forward to finishing this wonderful series.

[Rachel M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute, simple-hearted book that prompted the "Bless Me Father" tv series. This book is a gem, full of humor and the joy of living. Highly recommended!

[Josephine (Jo) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst I find the reminiscences of Neil Boyd's time as a Catholic Priest extremely interesting I found the portrayal of Father Duddleswell a bit too over the top. Duddleswell never seems able to say anything straightforwardly he either talks in riddles or has to make the effort to turn the subject into some sort of hilarious joke that makes him seem very clever, this, however, becomes boring after a while and I just wish he could talk to his curate, housekeeper and friends without trying to score points over them. The parts of the book I really like are the experiences of Fr. Neil as he tries to learn on the job, his first experience of hearing confession was so funny I was chuckling as I read.
Although Duddleswell is intended to be a benevolent man underneath I found him irritating.

[patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny at times. Father Neil is still a curate. Father Neil has to teach a sex ed class to 8 and 9 year olds. He himself is a little innocent but the kids will make you laugh with their comments. Father Duddlewell carries on a pigs war with Billy Buzzle. When Father Duddleswell takes his curate to a sporting event he forgets he has a wedding to perform. Well the wedding is later than planned only for Father to realize they are not married. Father in a Fix was so much fun, thank you Neil Boyd.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are easy to read and entertaining. Fr. Boyd is continuing his first year as a Catholic priest and getting caught up in regular adventures but the most heartwarming part is when he and Fr. Duddleswell end up helping with a neighbor’s 2 little boys as their mother goes into the hospital. Neil Boyd gets to enjoy the cuddles and story time of putting little ones to bed and it’s a learning experience that he cherishes.

[James Frase-White · Rating 5 out of 5]

What damn good fun . . . who would expect wild pigs, death and funerial fun, smoking pastors and gallons of scotch and rum. This is a sober, and often hysterically humerous book. Written by a past pastor, who still loves the wild men (and holy women) to the celebration of their creator. Relax with this holy book and enjoy your life more. And I will not give away any more of the plot than the titilations I just inscribed!

[Paula Werne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming!

I simply can’t get enough of these sweet stories. Each chapter outdoes the previous, until the next tops them all.

[Theunis Snyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

More funny stories about the rascal priest, his housekeeper, his timid curate and the strange people in the congregation.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gently entertaining, fast, relaxed read.

[Janet Bird · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny and entertaining.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

More exploits featuring Fr Duddlesworth.

[Sirilee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I downloaded the collection of the five books as one and read the first two at once. They are funny, the banter is good, characters are quite well-developed. Some events did seem “make-believe” and some of the Irish stories were little boring - to a reader who has no connection to Ireland. The third book started to feel repetitive, even if the stories were different. I guess it might have been better to read the five books one a month or so.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so enjoyed this little gem. Goodness, light and happiness! Father Duddleswell will stay in my heart for a while!