Angry Conversations with God

A Snarky but Authentic Spiritual Memoir

By: Susan Isaacs

Narrated by: Susan Isaacs

Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

Disillusioned, disenfranchised, and disinterested in anything churchy, Susan Isaacs knew of only one thing to do when she hit spiritual rock bottom at age 40....She took God to couples counseling.

In this cuttingly poignant memoir, Susan Isaacs chronicles her rocky relationship with the Almighty - from early childhood to midlife crisis - and all the churches where she and God tried to make a home: Pentecostals, Slackers for Jesus, and the über-intellectuals who turned everything, including the weekly church announcements, into a three-point sermon.

Casting herself as the neglected spouse, Susan faces her inner nag and the ridiculous expectations she put on God - some her own, and some from her "crazy in-laws" at church.

Originally staged as a solo show in New York and Los Angeles, Angry Conversations with God is a cheeky, heartfelt memoir that, even at its most scandalous, is still an affirmation of faith.

©2009 Susan E. Isaacs (P)2009 Random House

Critic Reviews

"God in couples counseling? Sounds sacrilegious, but in the adept hands of comedian, writer and actress Isaacs, it's a success....Isaacs goes on a Job-like search for explanations from God, but instead finds the problem to be her. She's funny, biting, earthy and brilliant." ( Publishers Weekly)

AWESOME.

This book was extremely captivating. It's real. The author has been so courageous to expose her innermost struggles in such a vulnerable way. In the Christian world, it's filled with women who live on "lollipop" mountain. Everything is wonderful. Many artists like me have struggled with being able to relate to the sugar-coated Christian. All the conversations you have in your head with God about your doubts and fears are verbalized in Susan Isaac's book. It was comforting and inspiring to hear that I haven't been the only one asking God what appears to be trivial questions to a God that is interested in everything about you. Great book and great job to the author!

An honest and heart-felt story

I really enjoyed this book for a number of reasons. It's an honest heart-felt expression of one woman's journey through life and how she tried to reconciled what she believed her faith to be telling her with what she experienced. She calls into question the traditional response that some people and churches have towards people and their issues and shows how, at least in her case, they failed. She eventually gets to a place of resolution with everything. It’s just that it was through an unconventional way. It's quite good and thought-provoking if nothing else.

I also appreciated her comments about her interaction with single men in the church, of which I am one. It was good hearing from a woman's point of view how she experiences single Christian men and how much we need to improve.

I really like this book in audio and can't imagine a print version would be as good. Hearing the author tell her own story is pretty compelling in itself. But I have to believe her experience as an actor helped significantly. The dialogue she has with God seems to be helped significantly by being in audio.

I do believe the book will likely bother some people because it calls into question orthodox ways of interacting with people within the church. But frankly that's one of the things i most liked about it. I think it raises issues that are too often ignored.

My only concern about the book is that there's some language in there that's not what you'd hear in church, but nothing worse than any PG movie. Most bothersome to me was several references to a man's "cojones" (or lack thereof) when describing his passivity. In the context of a personal memoir it wasn't too offensive, and it certainly communicates the idea well. However I'd prefer that a man's privates be kept private.

Overall I really liked the book. I certainly recommend it, particularly if you find the sample at all compelling.

I did not enjoy this book at all...

I disliked the story line although authentic I feel she never learned anything and it’s just depressing overall. Middle aged alone and a job you hate but expecting things to magically happen. I read this for a book club, someone spiritual might enjoy this me not so much.

How easily annoyed are you?

I didn't like the author's style of reading. I kept on thinking, "I bet the author didn't want it to be read that way," and then remembering that the author narrates this one! I just think her voice is a little annoying. Preview before you buy.

As for the storyline, I can relate to the author in many ways, so that made it easier, but I still felt that I just wanted to tell her to chill out and stop being so crazy for most of the book. I think she took the drama of her seemingly normal life to an unnecessary level. She complains a lot.

I ended up giving it four stars because I don't regret listening to it. Some parts were truly funny and relatable.

Real and raw

Beautiful story of coming to a true understanding of God’s love. Sarcastic and funny but also real and beautiful.

Candid, honest, original

At first I didn't think I would enjoy it, but as I started to follow the underlying humor in the reality of the experiences I was able to connect them to my own experiences.

extremely honest and extremely hilarious

sooo great, thanks for sharing your neurosis with us Susan... struck waaay to many chords with me, were you in your head or mine? i love the voices, great job!

Worth Reading Again

I loved this book. My story is very different, but my conversations with God have been similar. I sighed, I laughed out loud, and I teared up throughout this book. This is a book I will read again.

great book

loved it. she spoke my heart and i felt not alone anymore
thanks to susan isaacs

Heck of a journey

I really enjoyed this audio book. I found myself laughing at the "snarkiness" and thinking it is refreshing to hear an authenticate fight with God. God is bigger than our anger at Him. Loved the book, the audio performance and the end!