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The Abbey: A Story of Discovery
A divorced single mother, Anne struggles to make sense of her son's death; a former architect, Mark works as a handyman and wonders how his life got off track; Abbot Father Paul sometimes questions how to best live a life that secludes him from the world.
In his debut novel, James Martin, SJ, provides a window into how God works in the spiritual journeys of three very different people. Through the characters' struggles, we see firsthand how God uses our worries, questions, and even anger to help us become whole.
In his debut novel, James Martin, SJ, provides a window into how God works in the spiritual journeys of three very different people. Through the characters' struggles, we see firsthand how God uses our worries, questions, and even anger to help us become whole.
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2015
173 people are currently reading
948 people want to read
About the author
James Martin
51 books1,020 followersJames Martin, SJ is a Jesuit priest, writer, editor at large of the Jesuit magazine America, and consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communication.
Fr. Martin grew up in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, United States, and attended Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business in 1982 and worked in corporate finance at General Electric for six years. Dissatisfied with the corporate world, he entered the Society of Jesus (more commonly known as the Jesuits) in 1988, and after completing his Jesuit training (which included studies in philosophy and theology, as well as full time-ministry) was ordained a priest in 1999. He received his Master's in Divinity (M.Div.) and Master's in Theology (Th.M.) from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology (now part of Boston College).
During his Jesuit training, Martin worked in a hospital for the seriously ill and a homeless shelter in Boston, with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Jamaica, with street-gang members in Chicago, in a prison in Boston, and for two years with East African refugees in Nairobi, Kenya, with the Jesuit Refugee Service. In addition to his work at America magazine, Fr. Martin has written or edited more than 15 books, most of which are about spirituality and religion. He is a frequent commentator on religion and spirituality and has appeared on all the major networks, served as an expert commentator for ABC for the papal conclave that elected Pope Francis, and has written for many outlets, including the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
Father Martin's best known books The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything (2010) and Jesus: A Pilgrimage were both New York Times bestsellers; My Life with the Saints was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book; and all three were winners of the Christopher Award.
He has received over 15 honorary degrees from Catholic colleges and universities, and in 2017 Pope Francis appointed him as consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communication.
Fr. Martin grew up in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, United States, and attended Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business in 1982 and worked in corporate finance at General Electric for six years. Dissatisfied with the corporate world, he entered the Society of Jesus (more commonly known as the Jesuits) in 1988, and after completing his Jesuit training (which included studies in philosophy and theology, as well as full time-ministry) was ordained a priest in 1999. He received his Master's in Divinity (M.Div.) and Master's in Theology (Th.M.) from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology (now part of Boston College).
During his Jesuit training, Martin worked in a hospital for the seriously ill and a homeless shelter in Boston, with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Jamaica, with street-gang members in Chicago, in a prison in Boston, and for two years with East African refugees in Nairobi, Kenya, with the Jesuit Refugee Service. In addition to his work at America magazine, Fr. Martin has written or edited more than 15 books, most of which are about spirituality and religion. He is a frequent commentator on religion and spirituality and has appeared on all the major networks, served as an expert commentator for ABC for the papal conclave that elected Pope Francis, and has written for many outlets, including the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
Father Martin's best known books The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything (2010) and Jesus: A Pilgrimage were both New York Times bestsellers; My Life with the Saints was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book; and all three were winners of the Christopher Award.
He has received over 15 honorary degrees from Catholic colleges and universities, and in 2017 Pope Francis appointed him as consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communication.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
November 26, 2023
This earnest, well-meaning tale shows how difficult it is for authors to switch gracefully between nonfiction and fiction. Author James Martin is a talented nonfiction writer but one wishes he weren't so well known that The Abbey was given the green light without someone wondering where an actual story was.
Handyman Mark and divorced mom Ann are both struggling to find meaning in their lives until various encounters at a nearby abbey provoke thought and spiritual awareness. All the action is internal with very little taking place in their real lives. This may be exactly what the author intended since most of us live fairly uneventful lives while still striving to find God and meaning. However, is that what we want to read about in a novel?
I contend that we also need an engaging storyline. I can take sweet and simple. I read many of the Mitford novels by Jan Karon. However, even Karon included unlikable people, moments of genuine tension, and the possibility that things might not work out. There is no such trace of that in this book.
I liked the themes of spiritual discernment and finding God in everyday life. However, The Abbey is more properly a novella than a novel and, considering the lack of story development, really just a vignette of instructions on prayer and how to live the spiritual life. If Jesus told long parables, explaining carefully along the way, then this is the sort of modern parable he might have told. Luckily, he usually liked to build in a little suspense and leave something for us to chew on, like any good story teller. Will that woman find her lost coin? How will the eldest son respond to the father's pleading after the prodigal son returns?
It will be appreciated by people who want a sweet spiritual pick-me-up and nothing more.
[NOTE: this book did make me think of several other books which readers might appreciate. For a story inspired by a dream, try Leaf by Niggle by J.R.R. Tolkien. For a look at life inside a religious order, try either In This House of Brede or Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy, both by Rumer Godden. For an early piece of religious fiction by a nonfiction writer, try either The Great Divorce or Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis. For homey, sweet inspiration try the Mitford series by Jan Karon. For questioning God when disaster strikes, try The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder. For excellent development of questioning God, prayer, and balancing everyday life, try either A Jesuit Off-Broadway or Jesus: A Pilgrimage, both by James Martin.]
Handyman Mark and divorced mom Ann are both struggling to find meaning in their lives until various encounters at a nearby abbey provoke thought and spiritual awareness. All the action is internal with very little taking place in their real lives. This may be exactly what the author intended since most of us live fairly uneventful lives while still striving to find God and meaning. However, is that what we want to read about in a novel?
I contend that we also need an engaging storyline. I can take sweet and simple. I read many of the Mitford novels by Jan Karon. However, even Karon included unlikable people, moments of genuine tension, and the possibility that things might not work out. There is no such trace of that in this book.
I liked the themes of spiritual discernment and finding God in everyday life. However, The Abbey is more properly a novella than a novel and, considering the lack of story development, really just a vignette of instructions on prayer and how to live the spiritual life. If Jesus told long parables, explaining carefully along the way, then this is the sort of modern parable he might have told. Luckily, he usually liked to build in a little suspense and leave something for us to chew on, like any good story teller. Will that woman find her lost coin? How will the eldest son respond to the father's pleading after the prodigal son returns?
It will be appreciated by people who want a sweet spiritual pick-me-up and nothing more.
[NOTE: this book did make me think of several other books which readers might appreciate. For a story inspired by a dream, try Leaf by Niggle by J.R.R. Tolkien. For a look at life inside a religious order, try either In This House of Brede or Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy, both by Rumer Godden. For an early piece of religious fiction by a nonfiction writer, try either The Great Divorce or Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis. For homey, sweet inspiration try the Mitford series by Jan Karon. For questioning God when disaster strikes, try The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder. For excellent development of questioning God, prayer, and balancing everyday life, try either A Jesuit Off-Broadway or Jesus: A Pilgrimage, both by James Martin.]
October 30, 2015
I admit it: I'm a fiction snob. Though Father James Martin is my favorite Catholic spiritual author, I dreaded reading his first attempt at fiction. The Abbey wasn't bad, actually, and I enjoyed it because I love Father Martin so much. However, if you're not already a Martin fan and are easily irritated by less-than-stellar fiction, spend your time and money on Martin's beautiful, thought-provoking, and spiritually enriching nonfiction, like My Life with the Saints, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, and (my personal favorite) Jesus: A Pilgrimage. Nothing was actually wrong with the prose, plot, or characters. The novel just lacked a certain sophistication and subtly I expect from the best fiction. Also, if you're not super interested in Catholic spirituality, you might get a little bored with this book.
I did very much enjoy the descriptions of the abbey and the life of the monks, as I love going on retreat at my local Trappist monastery. I know exactly what Father Martin is talking about when he describes a character's reaction to the scent of the incense the monks use. It's sweeter and richer than the incense in most Catholic churches, and it immediately brings to me a sense of peace and contentment, as if to say, "Here you shall find rest for your soul."
I did very much enjoy the descriptions of the abbey and the life of the monks, as I love going on retreat at my local Trappist monastery. I know exactly what Father Martin is talking about when he describes a character's reaction to the scent of the incense the monks use. It's sweeter and richer than the incense in most Catholic churches, and it immediately brings to me a sense of peace and contentment, as if to say, "Here you shall find rest for your soul."
November 5, 2015
I have long admired James Martin for his intelligent and clear manner of interpreting the Gospel. I was not prepared to love this book like I did. The Abbey is the centerpiece of this story and the characters - Anne, Mark, Father Paul, and Father Edward are fully fleshed out characters with interesting back stories. The reader follows along as the characters unfold and strive to find answers and to live their best lives. Have to admit that my favorite parts were Anne's conversations with Father Paul. I found that it answered questions I didn't even know I had, challenged some of my own ideas about my relationship with God, and left me wondering what is going to happen to these characters. Great read!!
July 4, 2016
I like really much this choral story, whose center are three characters an accountency, an architect, and the father Paul. I cheer up to the father James Martin S.J. who continue with the adventures of the father Paul. It is a character plenty of life. In my opinion would be very interesting he spread his horizons. I loved very much the author settled this story in Philadelphia (Pensylvania) in this state lives my friend Val Bianco, whom i send a fond hug. This novel is self-help, besides this novel allows to the persons know the monastic life, and the mysteries of the catholic, thanks to the doubt of two characters, especially one Anne. I am very interested in the activity of the Benedictine, and Trapensian monasteries in United States, meanwhile i read the novel i had the feeling that i was reading to the father Thomas Merton. This story provoke that God enter in your life. To sum up is a tender, beautiful, and wonderful story. Other reason to enjoy of the reading is that one of the readers was the acclaimed american novelist Ron Hansen. I would be enchanted to read their novels. My next review will be "Die under your sky" was written by the great spanish writer Juan Manuel de Prada.
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Me gusto mucho esta historia coral centrada en tres personajes. Es mucho mejor de lo que parece. Animó al Padre James Martin a que prosiga con las andanzas del Padre Paul. Es un personaje, que en mi opinión tiene mucha vida, y puede dar muchísimo más. Me gusto también que el autor haya situado la historia en Filadelfia Pensylvania, dónde vive mi amigo Val Bianco. Es una novela de autoayuda, pero que ayuda a las personas a conocer la vida monástica (especialmente a mí me interesa la labor de los monasterios Benedictinos, y Trapenses. Tenía la sensación de leer a Thomas Merton), y a conocer a Dios. En resumen es una novela tierna, bella y delicada. Otro motivo de regocijo es que parece que uno de los lectores fue Ron Hansen. Un autor, al que estoy deseando leer.
Mi siguiente crítica será de la novela "Morir bajo tu cielo" del mejor escritor español Juan Manuel de Prada.
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Me gusto mucho esta historia coral centrada en tres personajes. Es mucho mejor de lo que parece. Animó al Padre James Martin a que prosiga con las andanzas del Padre Paul. Es un personaje, que en mi opinión tiene mucha vida, y puede dar muchísimo más. Me gusto también que el autor haya situado la historia en Filadelfia Pensylvania, dónde vive mi amigo Val Bianco. Es una novela de autoayuda, pero que ayuda a las personas a conocer la vida monástica (especialmente a mí me interesa la labor de los monasterios Benedictinos, y Trapenses. Tenía la sensación de leer a Thomas Merton), y a conocer a Dios. En resumen es una novela tierna, bella y delicada. Otro motivo de regocijo es que parece que uno de los lectores fue Ron Hansen. Un autor, al que estoy deseando leer.
Mi siguiente crítica será de la novela "Morir bajo tu cielo" del mejor escritor español Juan Manuel de Prada.
February 24, 2016
I started to give this book four stars and then realized I was just being kind since I'm such a fan of Fr. Martin. I wanted this book to be better than it was. It was a quick, easy read and I enjoyed it and found some comforting and inspiring lines in it. But I never got lost in the story--there really isn't a story, per se, to get lost in. There really wasn't a reason that this book had to be fiction at all--Fr. Martin could just as easily have made it a series of case studies for spiritual direction and pastoral counseling. As a therapist and seeker, I can appreciate that. As a novel-reader, I found it frustrating and rather heavy-handed. So if you're not already familiar with Fr. Martin's other work, don't start with this. His non-fiction books are so much better that to judge him on this attempt at a novel would be unfair.
August 25, 2020
Martin has penned another truly meaningful book. His characters and situations are incredibly realistic and will cause a great deal of contemplation by the reader. One warning: There is a bit of coarse language that may offend some, so be prepared. Overall, the story is touching, funny and beautiful.
Mark Matthews is floundering with life after losing his job as an architect. He now works at a nearby abbey, but his heart lies in furniture construction. His landlady, Anne, is dealing with deep grief after the loss of her son in an accident. One night, Anne finds herself at the abbey, a place she frequented as a child. She meets Father Paul and the two begin talking. All three learn about themselves and each other through different encounters.
Mark Matthews is floundering with life after losing his job as an architect. He now works at a nearby abbey, but his heart lies in furniture construction. His landlady, Anne, is dealing with deep grief after the loss of her son in an accident. One night, Anne finds herself at the abbey, a place she frequented as a child. She meets Father Paul and the two begin talking. All three learn about themselves and each other through different encounters.
November 3, 2015
Author James Martin aims for a story of spiritual awakening and falls short. A divorced mother grieves the loss of her son, when circumstances contrive to bring her to an old Abbey, housing monks. There she finds solace and inspiration in an image of Mary, mother of Jesus.
Martin writes with humor and believability, but lost me when the plotline turned flat. He teases us with the potential for romance, and again with the mysterious image of Mary, but both tangents lead nowhere. Instead, about halfway through the book, it turns into a teaching opportunity for Martin to introduce us to Jesus.
I believe this book could be comforting to the right reader, but it just simply didn’t resonate with me.
HarperOne, © 2015, 212 pages
ISBN: 978-0-06-240186-1
Martin writes with humor and believability, but lost me when the plotline turned flat. He teases us with the potential for romance, and again with the mysterious image of Mary, but both tangents lead nowhere. Instead, about halfway through the book, it turns into a teaching opportunity for Martin to introduce us to Jesus.
I believe this book could be comforting to the right reader, but it just simply didn’t resonate with me.
HarperOne, © 2015, 212 pages
ISBN: 978-0-06-240186-1
Read
May 20, 2017Contemporary stories of the main characters’ journeys of faith in real life situations of loss of relationships, family, and career. Gently and capably guided by The Abbey’s Abbott Paul, I gained insights into monastic life routine, self support through their abbey’s jam production, and interrelational skills required for community life.
As a fellow spiritual director, I felt a solidarity as Abbott Paul guided the mc’s to recognition of God in the details of their life.
His explanation of prayer was insightful and reassuring as mc Anne pursued this new experience as an adult.
One particularly valuable statement referred to the monastic way of life allowing them to focus on their life purpose by removing extraneous activities and involvements of life outside the call to the monastic. By sharing this, mc Mark gains both the understanding and support needed for him to pursue his carpentry skills rather than just the grass cutting of the abbey grounds.
As a fellow spiritual director, I felt a solidarity as Abbott Paul guided the mc’s to recognition of God in the details of their life.
His explanation of prayer was insightful and reassuring as mc Anne pursued this new experience as an adult.
One particularly valuable statement referred to the monastic way of life allowing them to focus on their life purpose by removing extraneous activities and involvements of life outside the call to the monastic. By sharing this, mc Mark gains both the understanding and support needed for him to pursue his carpentry skills rather than just the grass cutting of the abbey grounds.
August 5, 2018
A good story of how you find God or how God finds you.
October 27, 2015
An enjoyable novel and good introduction to Jesuit spirituality
The Abbey is a short, but touching story that provides a good introduction to Jesuit spirituality. Fr. Martin takes the reader through several sessions of spiritual direction with the characters of Anne, Paul, and Mark. For those intimidated by Fr. Martin's book "The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything," his first novel provides some of the same insights in a smaller and more intimate setting. A very good novel for those fans of Fr. Martin, Jesuit spirituality or those looking for a novel about someone exploring his or her faith.
The Abbey is a short, but touching story that provides a good introduction to Jesuit spirituality. Fr. Martin takes the reader through several sessions of spiritual direction with the characters of Anne, Paul, and Mark. For those intimidated by Fr. Martin's book "The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything," his first novel provides some of the same insights in a smaller and more intimate setting. A very good novel for those fans of Fr. Martin, Jesuit spirituality or those looking for a novel about someone exploring his or her faith.
December 12, 2018
Is this an earth-shattering, Pulitzer Prize, Manbooker Award winning novella? No. That is not to say it’s bad. Fr. James is pound for holy pound the best writer in the English language on Christendom. His foray into fiction is a wonderful story of realizations and possibilities. It’s definitely a book for Catholics, whether practicing or lapsed. I enjoyed it and one should expect nothing more and nothing less than a lovely story.
January 6, 2019
It seems I started exploring James Martin's books with the wrong choice. As others have said, The Abbey isn't an exercise in frustration and clumsy writing, but it doesn't seem to be up to the standard that praise for his non-fiction books has set. This might explain why The Abbey was the first of his books available for me from my local library. That said, I enjoyed the portions of the book that framed explanations of Abbey and monastic life in the guise of a story. Anne - the protagonist - asks a lot of questions about archaic terms and arcane practices, and the answers she receives benefits readers like me who have little experience with monks and abbeys beyond Trappist brews and the Redwall books. The portrayal of human relationships, on the other hand, is not so well crafted, and there are some handily religious moments that didn't seem earned in such a short space. However, I'm not turned off of Martin, and look forward to getting my hands on his non-fiction pieces.
October 29, 2015
A single mother mourning the loss of her teenage son and her tenant, an underemployed architect-turned-handyman, find a common bond in an unlikely place: the local monastery.
It was OK. Nothing to shout about, and shorter than it needed to be, I think. Character transformations take time to set up. There were some comforting things about prayer, and some interesting insights about monastery life, but as a novel, this really didn't carry off all that well. This type of storyline needs to be character-driven, but the development wasn't there.
At $14 for a 224-page ebook and $18 for the paperback, I think that's overpriced for what you get here.
It was OK. Nothing to shout about, and shorter than it needed to be, I think. Character transformations take time to set up. There were some comforting things about prayer, and some interesting insights about monastery life, but as a novel, this really didn't carry off all that well. This type of storyline needs to be character-driven, but the development wasn't there.
At $14 for a 224-page ebook and $18 for the paperback, I think that's overpriced for what you get here.
November 29, 2016
Odd that I did not find the story particularly compelling, but I kept wanting to read it in all my spare moments. In part I think it is because I have enjoyed experiences at a monastery myself and the story evoked some of these. It was a bit too predictable, but I was content for that to be so. It is life as I wish it to be: not easy necessarily but not so overwhelming that life in a community cannot help me through it. This is an easy uplifting read.
December 30, 2015
This book is definitely Christian (Catholic) fiction. As much as I wanted to like and love it just because it was written by Father Martin, I can't.
The story is nice about a woman who lost her faith after a divorce and the death of her teenaged son. The story was just okay, but the book could have used a lot more fleshing out. I guess for a first attempt at fiction, it's not too bad.
The story is nice about a woman who lost her faith after a divorce and the death of her teenaged son. The story was just okay, but the book could have used a lot more fleshing out. I guess for a first attempt at fiction, it's not too bad.
January 17, 2016
I absolutely loved this book. A good discussion about God's interaction with people in life...can help to explain some people's whys in their lives. I really enjoyed the characters and each of their faults and their search for God in their lives. The story is simply told with no 'super deep' meaningful passages.
I loved this book so much I finished it in one day:)
I loved this book so much I finished it in one day:)
June 15, 2016
I loved this short, lovely novel. There was a feeling of familiarity for me since I had lived near the locations. Also, I had a wonderful family friend who was also a Jesuit, so I found this story relateable and comforting. The story could have been a parable on loss and finding one's way to peace. If you enjoyed Fr. Joseph Girzone's Joshua series, you will probably like this.
April 14, 2019
Lovely
This was a wonderful read. I think both Catholics and non-Catholics can enjoy and come away with something. The teachings of the monks about love and God and spirituality are beautiful and enlightening. They are a good reminder of what we need to hold true in our hearts and there is no judgemental overtone. A great, quick read that I highly recommend.
This was a wonderful read. I think both Catholics and non-Catholics can enjoy and come away with something. The teachings of the monks about love and God and spirituality are beautiful and enlightening. They are a good reminder of what we need to hold true in our hearts and there is no judgemental overtone. A great, quick read that I highly recommend.
February 2, 2021
Quick Catholic fiction read. Enjoyable story with many quotes worth saving. Really would have liked better character development for the character, Mark. I felt like the story switched from the focus being on Mark to suddenly being about Anne. All together a very thought provoking and spiritually uplifting book.
November 29, 2015
Great read over Thanksgiving break. It recalled my reading about Ignatian spirituality and finding God in all things in grad school, but like a case study. Fun since I know Fr. Jim a bit too. Thanks, Tun!
December 15, 2015
The Abbey is the story of God reaching out to people in various ways. Abbott Paul seems too good to be true. He always has good advice and knows what to say. The book deals with grief and finding one's way in life. A quick read but enjoyable.
June 28, 2023
A simple story, yet moving and meaningful. People who come to connect with God through everyday events and relationships. James Martin shares faith with us where we are in life. He makes it realistic and touching. Simple is not always meaningless. Fr. Martin proves that.
March 1, 2016
I just loved this book. A sweet story of making you ray out of sadness and the people who support you through it.
January 3, 2016
I'd say I prefer Martin's non-fiction to fiction. If you're interested in his writing, start there, not here.
November 25, 2016
Catholic fiction! I would like more of this. The writing is only mediocre, honestly, but perfect for my current attention span and religious leanings ☺️
June 12, 2018
Doing a summer reading challenge and needed a book recommended by a librarian. This one was recommended by two different librarians, one proclaiming it "thought-provoking". I can barely give this book a meh. I was hoping for a fictional story with some religion thrown in. But, instead it was the opposite. I grew up Catholic, so the many, many references to the saints, the Catholic faith, and Mary were all understood by me. I think anyone who didn't have some familiarity would struggle. I actually would maybe say that it was a three star book because it is trying hard to bring comfort and understanding to two different struggling people--one who is grieving her dead son and one who is depressed and unhappy with how his life has turned out. I can appreciate the intentions of the priest who wrote the book. As a Christian, I liked the ideas presented in the book and the ideas about God are very well--presented. But, I think this book would be much better suited to a retreat or a Bible study and not a fiction shelf in the library. The woman in the book comes back to God after being away for twenty years and I did like reading her journey. But, besides straying Catholics who don't go to church anymore, this book doesn't have much of an audience. 2.5 stars
April 24, 2018
I've always enjoyed the writings of James Martin SJ and his Jesuit point of view. This book is a work of fiction, with a truly Jesuit point of view. Anne and her neighbor, Mark, are both lonely, disconnected people, each for different reasons. Mark moved to the Philadelphia area away from home and family. Anne's family has left her - first her husband because he didn't want to care for their baby son, and then Jeremiah, the son, when he was killed in a traffic accident at the age of 13. Both end up visiting the Abbey of St. Philip and James - Mark as a part time worker and Anne, sort of by accident. How they each are influenced by the monks, touched by God they would say, is a lovely, hope-filled story that may make you think about prayer in a different way, think about Mary and the saints in a different way, think about relationship with God in a different way. Not great literature, but if you're feeling a little lost these days, try it. You may find it will help.
July 19, 2018
THE ABBEY A STORY OF DISCOVERY
by
JAMES MARTIN S.J.
Ihave read two other books by James Martin. MY LIFE WITH THE SAINTS, AND BETWEEN HEAVEN AND MIRTH. Both books were really good in there own way. But after reading this one I feel this is best work. The title is ( The Abbey ) but the subtitle tells you what the story is about. The 3 main characters are The Abbot Paul, Mark an out of work architect, and Anne a divorced single mother. They all make discoveries in their faith lives. Those discoveries are made at ST. PHILLIP &JAMES ABBEY. Their discoveries are not earthly treasure. They all discover something missing in their lives. If you read this book you may also discover it.
by
JAMES MARTIN S.J.
Ihave read two other books by James Martin. MY LIFE WITH THE SAINTS, AND BETWEEN HEAVEN AND MIRTH. Both books were really good in there own way. But after reading this one I feel this is best work. The title is ( The Abbey ) but the subtitle tells you what the story is about. The 3 main characters are The Abbot Paul, Mark an out of work architect, and Anne a divorced single mother. They all make discoveries in their faith lives. Those discoveries are made at ST. PHILLIP &JAMES ABBEY. Their discoveries are not earthly treasure. They all discover something missing in their lives. If you read this book you may also discover it.
August 11, 2019
Martin's novel bravely takes on dealing with faith in the midst of crisis. For me personally, as someone who lost a six-year-old son due to cancer, his willingness to try and understand the grief of a single mother who lost her only child is risky. Yet, on this part, he succeeds. Martin does not try to answer why there is evil in the world or why a loving God allows a child to die. But he does allow the mother to grieve, to be angry, and to come back into the Church in her own time. Many people fail when trying to capture the grief of a parent over their child, but Martin succeeds.
Where the book fails for me is in the set-up expositions on faith and teachings from the bible. I actually like those sections, but they don't work well in a novel format. And, the story gets neatly tied up a bit too easy.
But this is a book I will recommend to those in grief and trying to understand how to address their faith in the process.
Where the book fails for me is in the set-up expositions on faith and teachings from the bible. I actually like those sections, but they don't work well in a novel format. And, the story gets neatly tied up a bit too easy.
But this is a book I will recommend to those in grief and trying to understand how to address their faith in the process.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews