The Bless Me, Father Series Books 1–5: Bless Me, Father; A Father Before Christmas; Father in a Fix; Bless Me Again, Father; and Father Under Fire

by Neil Boyd

This acclaimed series that inspired a hit London Weekend Television sitcom is “a long, gentle breeze of humour” (James Herriot). Based on the author’s real-life experiences after completing seminary and later adapted into a beloved British sitcom, these five novels are a humorous and sweet-natured look at Catholicism in the 1950s. Readers of all creeds will enjoy Father Neil’s adventures at St. Jude’s parish, a corner of London with a raucous congregation full of Irish immigrants.  Bless Me, Young Neil Boyd has just finished divinity school. A newly ordained priest, his first post is at St. Jude’s parish where he meets the cantankerous, scheming, and brilliant Father Duddleswell and Mrs. Pring, the sharp-tongued housekeeper. Father Duddleswell is willing to do anything to make sure the Lord’s will be done, from placing a bet to obstructing an interdenominational love affair.  A Father Before The holiday season is among the most hectic times at St. Jude’s, and this year is no exception for Father Neil. As always, he has his hands full with Father Duddleswell, who has decided to invite all the other sects of Christianity to celebrate Christmas with them. The plan quickly unravels when two religious leaders from another denomination try to convert Father Neil and a clock goes missing—as does the church collection.  Father in a After six months at St. Jude’s, Father Neil makes a New Year’s resolution to wise up. With the crazy collection of characters at his parish, this will be no easy feat, especially when Father Duddleswell is named the prime suspect in the killing of a gambling parishioner’s smelly pig and a generous attempt to give the suspected butcher a day off goes zanily haywire.  Bless Me Again, After finishing his first year at St. Jude’s, Father Neil finally feels as if he has his feet firmly planted on the ground. But the parish is still full of surprises, and the clergy are confronted with all manner of crisis. First, there is the dilemma of Dr. Daley, whose drinking is causing his health to deteriorate but who worries that sobriety will ruin his personality. Then, much to Father Duddleswell’s chagrin, a new donkey overruns the church, followed by a fresh litter of kittens.  Father Under As St. Jude’s adds another member to its clergy—Father Abe, an octogenarian with an agenda of his own—the church staff finds themselves embroiled in a rivalry among undertakers, a visit during Holy Week from the bishop with the longest rosary on record, a harebrained scheme to promote holy water as a fertility enhancer, and a night spent under a pool table during a pilgrimage.  

Genres: Humor, Memoir, Nonfiction, Ebooks, British Literature

1351 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 13, 2017

About the author

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

pseudonym of Peter de Rosa

Reviews

[Ingrid Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best ever

This is by far one of the best series I've ever read, and I'm a voracious reader. The characters are remarkable, the situations from hilarious to profound. I dreaded the end of the fifth book and leaving Fathers Boyd Duddleswell, Mrs. Pring, Dr. Daley Billy Buzzel and Pontius,and all of the other colorful and fantastic people throughout the stories. I know that these books will remain on my device, not in the cloud, to be visited often.

There are not enough stars for how much I love this series and I am now going to search out the television series to compare.

[Clreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The semi-autobiographical experiences of an ex-Catholic priest in the UK set in the early 1950’s post war time. For those who were born later than 1980 and not Catholic, much of these books can come across as narrow minded & sexist. But if you remember the time period & account for that, the stories are funny, (sometimes so much so I laughed so hard tears ran down my face), heartwarming and sad. Because each chapter is almost like a short story, these books are easy to pick up and put down if you can’t read non-stop. But I found them so enjoyable, I rarely put them down until I finished all 6 books in the series. If you can look past the hypocrisy of the Catholic church, especially during this time period, and just focus on the characters and their actions you will find this a heartwarming read, something I find difficult to find in today’s literature.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relaxed reading

I loved that I could read a chapter and then easily pick up the book later. I will miss having this series to read when I have some free time. Lovable characters and very similar to the BBC sitcom.

[Pamela Shropshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another of seemingly thousands of books and series that I’ve seen references to on the internet that I would never have discovered otherwise. The best description for the Bless Me Father series I can think of is: Imagine if James Herriot had been a RC priest instead of a vet, and Siegfried had been a short, paunchy Irish priest. Both series have the same sometimes-gentle, sometimes-biting humour; the same deep appreciation and reverence for nature and animals and humans, flawed though those humans may be. I’ve immensely enjoyed getting to know these characters. 4 stars.

[Martha Bratton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1500+ pages of the complete TV series, and it never fails to inform, entertain, and prompt understanding of Catholic village life. It's also a wonderful portrayal of the relationship of different religions from the Catholic viewpoint. It's such an interesting mix of convention and compassion that it makes me feel sorry not to have known priests like these.

The author left the priesthood and developed the BBC series that I have enjoyed so much. It was a great bedtime read on and off over the last year.

[Jodi Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.


Watched the TV series years ago a d have read the books several times since. Wonderfully sweet and nostalgic, funny and bracing.

[Ramona Lazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am re- reading these books...going through some bad stuff and they literally help me to be able to cope. Thank you Fr Duddleswell and especially Father Neil.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished the series! The last book, Father Under Fire continues the story of Neil Boyd as he finishes up his first year as a priest. Fr. Boyd is starting to have a crisis of faith (which actually ended a number of years later when he left the priesthood and started a family). As usual, interspersed with incredibly funny episodes, there are stories of life and death that tug at your heartstrings. Some of the verbiage- and the way some things were handled including a headmaster abusing children, is dated but the author does not ever present these things as acceptable. It was an enjoyable series.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am confused about just how much of this series I had already read as single books. I don't want to miss anything but I find I am repeating stories. Still I am enjoying them a second time. They are funny and perceptive and gently critical of the Catholic faith--and probably the Protestants too. They are set in 1951 in London so the post-WWII setting is crucial.

I tried watching a couple of shows on youtube but decided I liked imagining the stories better.

[Sue Rupe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable characters

Enjoyable characters, but sadly now seem to be so 'dated' with the passage of time. Vernacular can be convoluted, mishmash of period slang, Irish sayings, and Catholic references all balled together. I found it an interesting contrast between two priests; one by the book and the other who bent church rules to fit real life.

[LYDIA · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very entertaining read, especially the first couple books in this series. The many episodes are filled with humor that has helped ease the pandemic lock-down blues for me. One cannot help but chuckle or laugh out loud while "listening" to the interesting conversations among the three likable main characters. I bought a couple copies of the first book in this series to give to friends.

[Louisa Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got to end of my rope on this one. The stories were mainly about a conniving priest named Father Duddlesworth and how he took advantage of a new priest, Father Boyd. There was also an alcoholic doctor, Dr Daley, and a next-door-neighbor who decided to raise pigs.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t warm up to the stories or Father Duddlesworth. So I gave up.

[Elizabeth F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed! I cried! These books were very funny and enjoyable. The characters were very entertaining the priests were lovable. My favorite was book 5. I would highly recommend this series and I actual have told friend to read it.

[SKIP HAWKINS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming and very human

Heartwarming and very human. Traces the maturing of a young priest with the guidance of a wise, kind soul. Highly recommended.

[Dan Vogel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.

So sad it couldn't go on. Such a short time filled with laughter, tears, and heart. Thanks for reminding me of the goodness in mankind.

[Michael Mahoney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not actually finished, but will keep returning to these short stories every now and then.

[James L.Henson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed the warmth, the humor, the witty intelligence and tongue-in-cheek treatment of ecclesiastical life.

[Ronald · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Good pleasant read

I enjoyed the story of day to day life of a parish priest. It may be boring to most, I guess you just have to be ready for the pace.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was ok I wanted Father Ted I think I got upstairs downstairs mixed with all creatures great and small. It was ok but it didn’t make me laugh like I hoped it would

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved these stories. They are both fun and a good look into how old England!

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times, the book was a bit too ridiculous for my taste. Some chapters felt like tried and true hairy dog stories rewritten with a Catholic bent. The thing that saves it, though, is the underlying love, respect and caring that lies at the heart of the truly humanly religious shepard.