Father Joe

The Man Who Saved My Soul

By: Tony Hendra

Narrated by: Tony Hendra

Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

This runaway New York Times best seller is a book to savor and treasure. Author Tony Hendra, a National Lampoon and Spy magazine veteran and one of the world's greatest satirists, delivers a beautifully written, humorous, and profoundly moving memoir reminiscent of Tuesdays with Morrie.

At 14 years old, Tony began an affair with a married woman that ended when the jilted husband, a devout Roman Catholic, sent Tony to a Benedictine abbey. There, Tony met the remarkably kind and compassionate Father Joe. For the next four decades, Father Joe's guidance never faltered, even as Tony failed in marriage, fought substance abuse, and struggled to find meaning.

The New York Times says Father Joe "belongs in the first tier of spiritual memoirs ever written." It is a wondrous celebration of a saintly man, and it is impossible to forget.

©2004 Tony Hendra (P)2004 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"The writing is certainly quite smart....[A] heartfelt tribute to a kind and wise teacher." (Kirkus Reviews)

Didn't want it to end

I loved the book and loaned my copy to my sister, who refused to return it, because she enjoyed it so much. I finished it weeks ago and still think of Father Joe almost daily.

Delightful!

A beautiful story of a life well lived alongside of a life humanly lived as the way God reaches all corners

THE DEPTHS OF THE SOUL REVEALED

I purchased this book because it was on the New York Times Best Seller List and because I enjoy inspiring spiritual works of depth. However, the title of the book did not give any hint at depth and I was expecting some syrupy saint story of no great consequence.

The steamy first chapter took me by surprise. This is spiritual? As the plot developed, I began to see parralel lives but only one soul. On the one hand we are shown the saint, and on the other the terrible sinner. But somehow, by the time I got to the end of the book I saw them both as saints in their own way. "There but for the grace of God go I," comes to mind. The saintly priest could just have easily gone the way of the sinner, and vice versa. Both are infinitely loved by God, and both are redeemed. But only the saint knows this, and he has to lead the other into the circle of his light.

Most starling, I also saw myself in this story. As the sinner searched and the saint enlightened, much light was cast in my direction. This is a story of love and redemption, high drama, wit, depravity, and sanctity. I loved it!!! Don't miss it!

Lessons in life

What a beautiful book! I could listen to Tony Hendra quote (and imitate) Father Joe all day. We all try to overcomplicate life and Father Joe brings us back to what should be our foundations. Not to judge, but to love. Not to fear, but to love.
Sounds easy, but Tony Hendra is very open about his abilty to forget these lessons and self destruct in the process ... and then return for another visit.

MUST READ

An outstanding reflection of an interesting life that certainly would have been diifferent if not for the presence of the stabilizing spiritual influence of an earthly saint. A must read for anyone that has had a crisis of faith or existence. Beautifully done - narration and all. Thank you Tony Hendra.

beautifully written about a beautiful man

At times it may seem too much about the author and his life problems - but as you finish you find this is necessay to understand the spirituality and amazing grace of Father Joe. I was glad I listened to the end.

simplicity

What a wonderful reminder of helpful human interactions!

A must read!

It doesn't matter if you believe in a higher power or not, we all need a Father Joe in our lives.

Compelling coming of age and spiritual journey

Deals with life's big questions without being stuffy. A real person with real events, honest & unblinking. Author's reading of his own story a good one. Definitely worth listening to. If you found Merton's autobiography worthwhile, this is more current and (forgive me) unflinchingly authentic.

Read it. But with open eyes.

Read it. But don't be sucked in to Hendra's narcissistic journey. Rather - look at Fr. Joe's faith, spirituality, and generosity of heart - and use that as your personal spiritual target. Few of us will reach that goal (I speak for myself) but Fr. Joe is an inspiration to all. We all have our gifts - and Mr. Hendra's gift of storytelling serves us well.