The Unoriginal Sinner and the Ice-Cream God

by John R. Powers, Gregory F. Pierce (Introduction), Gregory F.A. Pierce (Introduction)

All religions have worked hard to give you the impression that I’m a stiff; the kind of guy you’d never invite to a party. . . . I like laughter and the people who do it; from the twitterers to the chucklers to those whose laughter roars out in a gallop of explosions. To me, laughter is taking a bite out of life and saying, “Just right.”
  God Clever yet cynical Tim Conroy, a failed idealist with a chip on his shoulder, is unable to find a secure place for himself in 1960s South Side Chicago. He narrates his bittersweet struggles with God, sex, career, and education in a voice that evokes an Irish Catholic Holden Caulfield. This poignant, skillfully told tale concludes John R. Powers’s memorable coming-of-age trilogy that includes The Last Catholic in America and Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?

Genres: Fiction, Humor, Literature, Religion

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and touching book about growing up Catholic.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic as always.

[Charell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of funny parts in this book, I found myself laughing out loud at times! A little blaw towards the end of the book but it all comes together with a surprising ending! I had to re-read the ending a couple of times and think about it before I was certain I had understood it right. Wish I had read this book years ago!

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderfully Chicago. Even all these years later, some of the elements of this story existed within my years of Catholic upbringing in the city. So I certainly enjoyed the nostalgia of it.

I certainly enjoyed much of the story, the big ideas, the characters, but it got a bit too long winded in parts, but then way too rushed in the end. A tad better pacing would have made me love it.

[Chuck Cova · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought provoking read as part of an interesting Vietnam conflict era story of a young boy turned man 'coming of age'. My first impression, having read the final page was that it left me feeling kind of numb. But as I sat with that thought I realized it was much deeper than that. And it was those following thoughts that bring me to be thankful for having read this...

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my all-time favorite book. Being a John Powers book, it is easier to identify with some elements if you grew up Catholic. However, it is still a great book for any hopeless romantics out there.

[GD · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book that concludes Powers' trilogy in an unusual way. It's the sort of book where the end surprises and stirs up many questions and makes the reader reevaluate the book as well as the earlier ones.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hoping for more of the same entertainment that Powers' first two books delivered, I was sadly disappointed by this depressing story. I can't say I wasn't warned (by my brother), but I was halfway through and kept going. Hopefully someone else will take our advice and skip this one.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mildly entertaining.

[Edward Rydbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book.

I always cry at the end even though I reread it every year. Please read it.It will not disappoint you.

[Matthew Velez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny, sad. Like another day and night of reflection. The Melancholy is laid on thick.

[sage devóre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life. I adore the way Powers writes. This book was suggested to me by one of my professors, who really loved it. I really love it. My favorite thing about this book is that you can literally be reading Power’s words, and you’ll realize that he just wrote the best advice you’ve ever heard in your life, and it was two pages ago. He says the wisest things so casually. There’s also humor in everything, and I’m a big fan of joking about almost anything. I will be buying the rest of the books he wrote. I have already recommended this book to so many people, and I’m scouting a signed copy to buy.

[Dave C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a teen and loved it. I don't think all of it has aged well. But I think that some things are of their time and as an artifact, it's good. The world has changed so much, after all, that it's important to know where we came from. Back in the day I would have given it 5/5 stars but I'll dial that back for not being more forward thinking for its day.

[Tony Mistretta · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a young man growing up, trying to find himself and figure out what to do with his life, written in a humorous manner. I laughed out loud a few times. A car repair shop owner helps the young man along with advice throughout the story.

[D R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread this book after reading it during the 80s. I still enjoyed it but this book is very 70s. Don't expect modern or politically correct characters.

[Dkolacinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love death, chocolate chip cookies, ice-cream and Gof.

[annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5!! really loved it

[Won Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of all time.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally read this book back in the 1980s when it first came out in paperback and kept my well-worn copy over the years. I recently went back and read it and find that it is still timeless. Don't let the title fool you it isn't a religious fire and brimstone book. The author was just raised in the Catholic faith and lends it to his humor and prospective in everyday events. The main character Conroy grows up on the Southside of Chicago in an Irish Catholic neighborhood. During his time in college and searching for a job he occasionally writes notes to "God" (a local auto repair/gas station owner named Caepan, who is not religious at all.) My favorite response from "God" was-
Dear God, I didn't go to mass last Sunday morning. Signed: Conroy. Conroy: Don't worry about it. It was a nice day. I don't know who built the church but I made the sunshine. Signed: God.

[Tom Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated this book as a Chicagoan, since a lot of it reminds me of my childhood. Well, more accurately, it reminds me of my dad's childhood as recounted to me by him later in life. I bought it at a public library clearance sale because the title seemed silly enough to spend a quarter on, and then I read it on the Metra train while commuting to and from my suburban home shortly after college graduation and wondering what I'd do with myself now that I was an adult (on paper, anyway). If you weren't born in Illinois, if you weren't born into a Catholic household, if you weren't born with the angsty guilt that comes with being born privileged enough to recognize your privilege yet not privileged enough to take advantage of it, then this probably won't speak to you.

[Charles Lewis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love these books put out by Loyola but after 60 pages I realized that finishing it would take up too many precious moments in my life. Everything about it is wooden, especially the dialogue. I simply got so bored that I knew the only reason I would finish would be to justify the $15 I paid for it. Time is worth more than money.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read about half and got bored. Definitely some laugh-out-loud one-liners (check out all those hyphens), but overall bland, like the protagonist.

[ThomasAD · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best books I have ever read, light and fun with a more serious side that causes you to probe your own faith

[Erin Lenihan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like "Catcher in the Rye", you'll love this book. The main character reminds a lot of Holden.

[Brady Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

In high school, I loved it enough to write to a rare books company and pay like $30 for an out-of-print copy.
No idea how I'd feel today.

[Lynn Landry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in high school and it has stuck with me all those years. I remember it being a great book for a questioner.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't predict the ending.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book if you are looking for light reading.

[K.A. Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of all time!!!
K.A. Stevens, author of "When Innocence Dies"