Three Vicars Talking

by Richard Coles, Kate Bottley, Giles Fraser

When Christine Morgan got Richard Coles, Kate Bottley and Giles Fraser together in a studio, all she had to do was plug them in and let them go. The dynamic between the three meant there were moments of real connection and poignancy alongside the laughter: 'I'm exaggerating for comic effect, ' Kate announced after one particularly outrageous anecdote, 'It's one of the reasons we're here.' Each realized in the course of conversation that they favoured one of the three rites of passage: Giles: Birth because baptism brings you into relationship with Christ Richard: Funerals because they take you into the mystery of God Kate: Weddings because you get to wear nice shoes Engagingly introduced by Christine Morgan, the book ends with the profoundly moving episode (recorded remotely in the three vicars' homes) that was broadcast on Easter Sunday 2020, to a world in crisis.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

Published September 17, 2020

About the author

The Reverend Richard Coles (born 26 March 1962) is a Church of England priest, broadcaster, writer and musician. Richard Coles was born in Northampton, England and educated at the independent Wellingborough School (where he was a choirboy)and at the South Warwickshire College of Further Education, Department of Drama and the Liberal Arts. He is known for having been the multi-instrumentalist who partnered Jimmy Somerville in the 1980s band The Communards, which achieved three Top Ten hits. He later attended King's College London where he studied theology from 1990. Richard Coles co-presents Saturday Live on BBCR4. In January 2011 The Reverend Richard Coles was appointed as the parish priest of St Mary the Virgin, Finedon in the Diocese of Peterborough.

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has transcripts from BBC Radio 4's programme with Richard Coles, Kate Bottley and Giles Fraser, three different vicars who have their own opinions on life's main events.
They often have differing opinions on how to celebrate each of these separate events of human life, but there's also a certain bit of agreement. The vicars discuss how people have moved away from marriage, but often feel the need for the Church for baptisms and funerals.
Christmas and Easter are two big seasons for the Church. But they are often celebrated quite differently now than years ago. Not many of us necessarily go to Church, but we like the more secular celebrations. This often obscures what lies behind the celebrations, but they still bring people together.
I found this book interesting, as I enjoyed reading the opinions of the three vicars on the big events that affect our lives.

[Teresa Gosling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this lively and honest exchange of stories covering the whole gamit of life.
Being a Christian, I recognized so much of church life between these pages. But, as a Catholic, there were areas of church life different to what I knew and of great interest!
Moving, funny and enlightening a great read if you like church life.

[Jo Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this but think it may need to be listened too rather than read as at times I thought Kate Bottley was rude but this may have been misinterpreted due to it being a transcript of a radio show and tone can be lost. All very thought provoking though.

[Mhairi Gilchrist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful companion to the radio episodes. Richard Coles speaks very movingly about his partners death & it is met with because silence...powerful when heard & in print.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning book. Must have been a wonderful series. Very funny, very thoughtful, and utterly profound in places. Made me want to read and know more. Loved it.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read. So insightful, extremely funny (had me laughing out loud at several points throughout), thought-provoking and touching.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aw lovely

[Andy Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three Vicars Talking, by Richard Coles, Kate Bottley, Giles Fraser
This is great. I had listened to the podcasts [thanks Jonathan], then (re)read the book. Lots of humour and wisdom. As an Anglican priest in New Zealand there is much that is culturally different but the essence is the same and therefore their stories resonated. Thank you to the producers and all involved in this enterprise.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is three vicars who did a series on BBC Radio. The topics covered hatch (birth), match (marriage), and dispatch (funeral). They also did an episode each on Christmas and Easter. They are funny, serious, and irreverent. You will laugh, you might cry and maybe, like me, you will rethink some seasons and reasons in your life. Highly recommended.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this as a birthday gift seemed a bit flat probably best heard than read