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Bird of Paradise: Glimpses of Living Myth
Adopting a non-dogmatic, experimental approach, Monica Furlong wrestles with some traditional symbols of the Christian faith and asks how they can still be relevant in a culture in which the Church seems increasingly marginalized. She rediscovers and interprets some modern doctrines and symbols.
136 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1995
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About the author
Monica Furlong
43 books231 followersMonica Furlong was a British author, journalist, and activist, regarded as one of the Church of England's most influential and creative laypersons of the post-war period.
Her work often focused on religion and spirituality, with notable biographies of figures such as John Bunyan, Thomas Merton, Thérèse of Lisieux, and Alan Watts. She also explored subjects like the spiritual life of aboriginals, medieval women mystics, and the Church of England. Furlong was also known for her children’s novels, including the Wise Child series, which consists of Wise Child, Juniper, and Colman.
Furlong began her writing career in 1956 as a feature writer for Truth magazine and later worked as a religious correspondent for The Spectator and Daily Mail. She became an advocate for religious reform, particularly supporting women’s rights within the Church of England. In her first book, With Love to the Church (1965), she championed an inclusive Church. She continued to support the ordination of women in the 1980s and pushed for the appointment of women to senior Church positions.
Her autobiography, Bird of Paradise (1995), provides insights into her life and career. Furlong’s controversial experiences with LSD were shared in Travelling In (1971), which was banned from Church of Scotland bookshops. Throughout her career, Furlong wrote extensively on spirituality, reform, and religious figures, becoming a well-respected voice in both religious and literary circles.
Her work often focused on religion and spirituality, with notable biographies of figures such as John Bunyan, Thomas Merton, Thérèse of Lisieux, and Alan Watts. She also explored subjects like the spiritual life of aboriginals, medieval women mystics, and the Church of England. Furlong was also known for her children’s novels, including the Wise Child series, which consists of Wise Child, Juniper, and Colman.
Furlong began her writing career in 1956 as a feature writer for Truth magazine and later worked as a religious correspondent for The Spectator and Daily Mail. She became an advocate for religious reform, particularly supporting women’s rights within the Church of England. In her first book, With Love to the Church (1965), she championed an inclusive Church. She continued to support the ordination of women in the 1980s and pushed for the appointment of women to senior Church positions.
Her autobiography, Bird of Paradise (1995), provides insights into her life and career. Furlong’s controversial experiences with LSD were shared in Travelling In (1971), which was banned from Church of Scotland bookshops. Throughout her career, Furlong wrote extensively on spirituality, reform, and religious figures, becoming a well-respected voice in both religious and literary circles.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 19, 2018
As a child, I came across Monica Furlong's "Wise Child" the year I read my way sequentially through every book in the elementary school library. It was the first time I saw a woman portrayed as a spiritual leader, and I was fascinated by the idea of a world in which female power could be spiritual.
As an adult, I discovered that Furlong grew up in England and was part of the push for female ordination in the Anglican church. However, there did not seem to be much written about her. I longed to know what inspired her to write about paganism and Christianity.
By accident, I came across this book, which is her autobiography. She examines her entire life, including what motivated her to write many of her books. She speaks without shame about a childhood of romantic and sexual exploration with girls, her tumultuous affairs with men as an adult, and her marriage and subsequent divorce. She has a gentleness and honesty when talking about her life that pulls the reader in.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, but especially those with an interest in religion, spirituality, and sexuality. She is able to speak on all of this without falling into the trap of hyper-categorization.
As an adult, I discovered that Furlong grew up in England and was part of the push for female ordination in the Anglican church. However, there did not seem to be much written about her. I longed to know what inspired her to write about paganism and Christianity.
By accident, I came across this book, which is her autobiography. She examines her entire life, including what motivated her to write many of her books. She speaks without shame about a childhood of romantic and sexual exploration with girls, her tumultuous affairs with men as an adult, and her marriage and subsequent divorce. She has a gentleness and honesty when talking about her life that pulls the reader in.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, but especially those with an interest in religion, spirituality, and sexuality. She is able to speak on all of this without falling into the trap of hyper-categorization.
March 11, 2021
Religious language is indirect, metaphorical, figurative. Monica Furlong writes about the Christian story through the myth of her own life. She shows how to be religious without having to resort to certainties, abusive formulations of salvation, or a literal interpretation of scripture, and how to be a wise Christian without needing to have an orderly and exemplary life. She died in 2003. Wherever she has gone, I want to meet her there.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews