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Title: Morte D'Urban (New York Review of Books Classics) by J. F. Powers, Elizabeth Hardwick ISBN: 0-940322-23-4 Publisher: New York Review of Books Pub. Date: April, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.67 (9 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: God and Mammon in the Midwest
Comment: This unduly neglected book won the National Book Award in 1963. It is the story of Father Urban, a Catholic Priest in the little know religious order of the Clementines. It takes place in Chicago, where Father Urban is headquarted as the "star" and best known speaker in the Order. He is also something of a fund-raiser with a wealthy, arrogant benefactor named Billy. Father Urban is transferred to a remote town in Minnesota, Duserhaus, shortly after the novel begins as a result of a disagreement with the head of the Order.
This novel operates on many levels. It shows the tenacity of Father Urban in creating a role for himself in the community surrounding Dusterhaus after what was deemed to be his exile there. It is a funny, tightly-written story and the characterization, of Father Urban's colleagues, of the Catholic hierarchy, and of the townspeople and parishoners is acute. Most important it is a story of the difficulty of serving both God and Mammon and of the need and nature for compromise in the work of the Catholic Church in a pluralistic, materialistic, and essentially secular America. There are wonderful descriptions of scenery and people. I particularly enjoyed the discussions of train travel in the Midwest which recall an America vanished not so very long ago... The book features a thoughtful introduction by Elizabeth Hardwick who describes the book as a "most valuable and lasting American novel."
This book is for you if you are interested in books about the United States, about religious experience in the United States, or in unjustly neglected American classics.
Rating: 5
Summary: Hidden Gem
Comment: This is a wonderful book. I have an MA in English Lit and never heard about this book at school. I subscribe to the New York Review of Books and it is listed as one of their favorites. Since I am Catholic and this book is about a Catholic priest I decided to read it.
Powers is a great author with a good knowledge of Catholicism and someone who knows how to be humorous. I found myself laughing out loud at certain passages of the book.
Power's shows how even "men of God" can be seduced by "men of power." Father Urban (the main protagonist) begins to understand how this is so and begins to change and become more aware of his journey towards God. I love this book because it shows how one can grow in God's love without being preachy or self righteous.
I would like this book to be made into a movie. Maybe it has already but I'm not aware of it. If there are any directors out there, check this out.
Rating: 4
Summary: Superficiality vs. Spirituality
Comment: To be honest, the only reason I decided to read this book was that it was chosen as the title for a book discussion group in which I participate. Though I can't say it is one of the best novels I have ever read, it certainly has its appeals. It is a book of irony and humor, with some sharp insights into the world of the Catholic Church in America. It is the story of the struggles of Father Urban, a priest in the unknown Order of St. Clement, who progressive, dynamic approach to his vocation seems constantly in conflict with those around him.
On many levels, I found that this book spoke to me personally. I know that comedy is very difficult to write and this novel is incredibly funny in places. Also, as a young Catholic boy growing up in the Midwest that is the setting of this novel, the story constantly generated feelings of recognition in me. The points that Powers is trying to make about spirituality, religion and the Church are worthwhile and brought out well.
The weaknesses I found in this book also are quite personal to me. Though the characters are drawn quite vividly and well, I found their relentless superficiality to be very disturbing. I don't enjoy reading novels where I find it difficult to like any of the characters but this is a matter of taste. Many other readers might feel differently. Clearly, Powers is telling us something important about the religious life but I think I would have enjoyed the story more if there was at least one character in the novel I found admirable. I guess I don't think it's enough to tell us what's wrong with things. I also like a glimpse of what's right.
Still, Powers has written a powerful novel. And Urban does have his good qualities and comes to an epiphany of sorts at the story's close. Anyone who is interested in stories of spirituality and has an interest in the Catholic Church will find this novel to be funny and thought-provoking. It is definitely worth a read.
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Title: The Stories of J. F. Powers (New York Review of Books Classics) by J. F. Powers, Denis Donoghue ISBN: 0940322226 Publisher: New York Review of Books Pub. Date: March, 2000 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Wheat That Springeth Green by J. F. Powers, Katherine A. Powers ISBN: 0940322242 Publisher: New York Review of Books Pub. Date: April, 2000 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: The Woman of the Pharisees by Francois Mauriac, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Gerald Hopkins ISBN: 0881843717 Publisher: Carroll & Graf Pub. Date: January, 1988 List Price(USD): $8.95 |
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Title: The Diary of a Country Priest: A Novel by Georges Bernanos, Remy Rougeau ISBN: 0786709618 Publisher: Carroll & Graf Pub. Date: 09 January, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: A High Wind in Jamaica (New York Review Books Classics) by Richard Hughes, Francine Prose ISBN: 0940322153 Publisher: New York Review of Books Pub. Date: September, 1999 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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