Excellent

A wonderful personal account made during ‘lockdown’, with insights drawn from people, place and events in and around the country parish. I found it thought provoking and uplifting. Quotes from the Bible,or literature, or modern songs (although you do need a music library to access the songs) followed each section, so placing the experience and thought into a wider context.
So refreshing!

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A wonderful and moving account of a year in lockdown

A wonderful and moving account of a year in lockdown. The music and texts that are used in the reflections fit so well with tales of encounters with people and nature. I found it very uplifting and thought provoking. I will definitely read this again.

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I loved reading this book!

Although we are now through the pandemic this book is definitely still very worth listening to. It has reminded me of what life was like in the pandemic. (You soon forget!) The author tells us about life around the church and parish, the villagers and the area and ties it in with christian faith and many stories. This is all told in a wonderful way. An interesting read and so much included. I'm sorry I've got to the end! He has a very listenable voice and clear. This book is a treasure and I will definitely be reading again. Hope another book will follow!

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Living a lie and then writing about it? Not ok

An excellent audio-book reader, and clearly a deep thinker, this book seems to reflect a man in a muddle. I looked him up and he says "Religion and ‘The Big Questions’ had long permeated his life and his work and, by becoming a vicar, he could truly focus on all of them. Somewhat controversially, he still describes himself as an agnostic — which for a vicar, is quite the claim." At the time of writing the Church of England is busily engaged in throwing out those with no real grasp of the Christian faith, starting with the Archbishop. Wishy washy clergy? I think we've all had enough. This is why I sent it back. If Colin Heber Percy wishes to write full time, then he should do so. He is gifted and popular and I'm sure he will find an audience. But if he wants to take up space, that could be given to an actual Christian, simply because he wants the perks of the job of a country vicar? That is where his own gifts fall apart. One cannot live a lie and be truly creative. One cannot write about the people he has vowed to serve as a Christian spiritual leader and refuse to be one. That is why his book does not ring true. All writing requires integrity.

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Disturbing theological views?

Dipped into this a few times imagining it would be a comforting listen for my regular insomnia. Knew he'd become famous for his podcasts to parishioners during covid. But finally decided it wasn't to my taste. His southern country parishes, lifestyle, beliefs just bore no relation to anything I knew or understood. Apparently he was a scriptwriter, academic and still a self declared agnostic who writes for Country Life.
Ronald Blythe s Next to Nature (also on Audible) is far more entertaining and listen to David Suchet reading the Gospels and Acts for understanding.

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