Review of A Curate in Love
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Jane Ogwang
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Review of A Curate in Love
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "A Curate in Love" by Richard Hughes.]
One thing that tends to go hand in hand with religion is conformity. Faith gives us a plan and a path that we ought to follow without question. While this may be important for order and can be empowering at times, there is no doubt that it constrains and limits individuals. It takes courage to stand out, break expectations and chat our paths. That was Richard's story in the book A Curate in Love by Richard Hughes.
After completing his Theology studies, Richard was ordained and posted to the Church in Mold as an Assistant Curate. This is where it all starts; his life takes a turn into an uncertain path. The book takes us through the experiences, challenges, and victories through this new path of his life. We follow his journey through the parishes he serves and the people he serves with and under. His fascination with the history and traditions of the Church also forms a significant part of the read. He makes discoveries about ancient traditions and activities of the Celtic Church. Richard finds himself in love with Ann, a dedicated atheist. They are the exact contrast to each other on matters of religion but have a chemistry going on. They have to find a way of getting past their differences, and the author details all the challenges that come with that. Grab a copy of the book to discover their challenges and whether they overcame them.
I loved how rich this book was with religious history. It was fascinating to read about the activities and traditions of the Celtic saints, contrasting with other institutionalized practices such as those of the Anglican Church. The author was knowledgeable on the subject. This, in addition to the research done around the subject, made for such an informative and fascinating read. I also enjoyed that the book covered several themes quite conclusively. I also liked how the book explored several complexities of faith surrounding everyday life. The author uses conversations to ask and answer several questions about faith. The discussion about incest, for instance, was interestingly tackled in the conversations between Ann and Richard. Several other contentious topics were also delved into similarly.
There were, however, some drawbacks to the book. First, the pacing of the story could have been faster. It took me a while to get engrossed in it, and even after I did, I often found myself losing track because of the lack of action or conflict for long periods. I also thought the author didn't do an excellent job of plot development. Events in the preceding chapters didn't build on the ones in the chapters that followed well enough. Random events were also sometimes discussed abruptly, which broke the book's flow and made it quite challenging to follow.
Despite these drawbacks, the book is compelling and offers insights into faith and day-to-day living issues. I, therefore, give it a rating of four out of five stars. It is rich in religious history and covers many themes well. It was also edited professionally, as I only noticed a few errors in it. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in exploring faith and love in this modern world. Those interested in the history of the Church will also enjoy reading it.
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A Curate in Love
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
One thing that tends to go hand in hand with religion is conformity. Faith gives us a plan and a path that we ought to follow without question. While this may be important for order and can be empowering at times, there is no doubt that it constrains and limits individuals. It takes courage to stand out, break expectations and chat our paths. That was Richard's story in the book A Curate in Love by Richard Hughes.
After completing his Theology studies, Richard was ordained and posted to the Church in Mold as an Assistant Curate. This is where it all starts; his life takes a turn into an uncertain path. The book takes us through the experiences, challenges, and victories through this new path of his life. We follow his journey through the parishes he serves and the people he serves with and under. His fascination with the history and traditions of the Church also forms a significant part of the read. He makes discoveries about ancient traditions and activities of the Celtic Church. Richard finds himself in love with Ann, a dedicated atheist. They are the exact contrast to each other on matters of religion but have a chemistry going on. They have to find a way of getting past their differences, and the author details all the challenges that come with that. Grab a copy of the book to discover their challenges and whether they overcame them.
I loved how rich this book was with religious history. It was fascinating to read about the activities and traditions of the Celtic saints, contrasting with other institutionalized practices such as those of the Anglican Church. The author was knowledgeable on the subject. This, in addition to the research done around the subject, made for such an informative and fascinating read. I also enjoyed that the book covered several themes quite conclusively. I also liked how the book explored several complexities of faith surrounding everyday life. The author uses conversations to ask and answer several questions about faith. The discussion about incest, for instance, was interestingly tackled in the conversations between Ann and Richard. Several other contentious topics were also delved into similarly.
There were, however, some drawbacks to the book. First, the pacing of the story could have been faster. It took me a while to get engrossed in it, and even after I did, I often found myself losing track because of the lack of action or conflict for long periods. I also thought the author didn't do an excellent job of plot development. Events in the preceding chapters didn't build on the ones in the chapters that followed well enough. Random events were also sometimes discussed abruptly, which broke the book's flow and made it quite challenging to follow.
Despite these drawbacks, the book is compelling and offers insights into faith and day-to-day living issues. I, therefore, give it a rating of four out of five stars. It is rich in religious history and covers many themes well. It was also edited professionally, as I only noticed a few errors in it. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in exploring faith and love in this modern world. Those interested in the history of the Church will also enjoy reading it.
******
A Curate in Love
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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Favour Hillz
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This is a wonderful review. I love the author's plot and theme, and this will be a good read for Christians that wish to know more about the Church. Thanks for the review
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Paul Link
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Your review has inspired me to check out the book despite its pacing, as I'm passionate about exploring faith and love in this modern world. As your review aligns with my interests, it makes me feel confident that your reviews are insightful and honest.
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Rica Concepcion
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I've read a book like this before, but I'm still curious about how Richard handled his significant other, who was completely different from him, and how love and Faith overcame barriers and differences despite each other's various viewpoints and points of view. Realistically, God operates in strange ways. It was good, well-written, and enjoyable to read, therefore I appreciate the review. Well done.
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Hossein8054
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You've accurately highlighted an important aspect of the interplay between religion and personal exploration. The contradiction between conformity and self-awareness, which can sometimes lead to conflict, doubt, and uncertainty in one's religious path, is indeed a reality. Breaking expectations, engaging in discussions, and contemplation within the realms of faith can potentially lead to a deeper understanding of beliefs and a more profound religious experience. On the other hand, a commitment to strict conformity can provide strength and stability to one's convictions. Ultimately, striking a balance between conformity and self-awareness contributes to the spiritual and existential growth and development of an individual
