Letting Go of God

By: Julia Sweeney

Narrated by: Julia Sweeney

Length: 2 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Julia Sweeney says she was a "happy Catholic girl" when, one day, she walked into church and signed up for a Bible-study course. "What an eye opener that was!" she says. "Next thing you know, I was on a quest for something I could really believe in. I traveled to places like Bhutan, Ecuador, and my local Starbucks looking for answers. Would I embrace Buddhism? New Age pseudo-science? Was I a freak for feeling the way I did, or were there other people out there just like me? I was grappling with serious questions. But, somehow, a lot of the things that were happening to me seemed, well, funny."

Equally comedic and insightful, Letting Go of God is Sweeney's brilliant one-woman show about her struggle with her faith. Grappling with the seeming contradictions in Adam and Eve, Noah, the Ten Commandments, and even the teachings of Jesus - and trying to understand the Bible's messages about morality, family values, and human suffering while faced with door-knocking Mormons and wise-cracking priests - Sweeney takes listeners on her very personal journey from God to "not-God".

This performance was recorded on November 19, 2005, at the Ars Nova Theatre in New York City.

Julia Sweeney was a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1989-94, and is best known for the mysteriously androgynous character, "It's Pat!". She has also served as a consulting producer on Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives. Letting Go of God is her third monologue. She performed her first, God Said, "Ha!", in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and on Broadway, as well as in a film produced by Quentin Tarantino. The CD version was nominated for a Grammy.

There's lots more Julia Sweeney available at Audible®! Just click here to download In the Family Way, her appearances on This American Life, her Un-Cabaret performances, and other great programs.

©2006 Julia Sweeney (P)2006 Julia Sweeney

Critic reviews

"Searing and bracingly funny....Letting Go of God is refreshingly unrancorous, lucid and, yes, inspirational." (The New York Times)
"Letting Go of God is a gale-force breath of fresh air into the mostly political dialogue about religion in our time." (Los Angeles Times)

Bittersweet, honest and at time utterly hysterical

Would you consider the audio edition of Letting Go of God to be better than the print version?

Julia Sweeney addresses the issue of God, life, death and children with aplomb. Her honest discovery of God in her life is at times funny, frustrating and always honest. This listen may offend some, but I found it to be quite incredible. Enjoy!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Letting Go of God?

When she talks about suffering I find it to be the one of the most difficult and honest moments of the performance.

What does Julia Sweeney bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It couldn't be done without her...

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book not only made me laugh, but it also made me cry.

Comedy Club

This wasn't so much an audiobook as it was the audio of a one-person show. Not that it really mattered. Short, and yet a little long in parts, this was an enjoyable listen of her spiritual journey. Julia tells the story of her ambitious, loyal effort to retain a belief in the God she grew up with. I was interested to listen as my study of Judaism had led me to the surprising discovery that many ritual-following, synagogue-going Jews are actually atheists and I am still struggling to understand why. Julia's upbringing was Catholic but I thought her story might shed more light on how it is people "lose" their religion, or keep their religion but subtract the belief in God. I can't say I gained any insights that I didn't already have but it was an enjoyable journey to take with her for a little less than 3 hours.

Funny but quick.

Sticking with my autobiography kick. Julia Sweeney is hilariously honest about her struggles with religion. Well-written and well narrated.

Julia Gets It Right.

If you want to know how good this is read the negative reviews. They attack Julia Sweeney and her career because they can't answer the arguments. Julia Sweeney does a wonderful job of documenting her journey from superstition to reason. It is not only funny but she gets both the science and the theology correct. If you want to continue living in the dark, then avoid this book. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a an intelligent, well presented and entertaining voyage to the truth behind the myths then this is for you.

Well worth two hours of your time

This was one of my first Audible books, and I loved it. I found Julia Sweeney’s performance to be more than entertaining- I laughed and smiled most of the way through, thinking this person is brilliant, but it was clearly not all fun and games for her to come to her decision- to let go of God. How could it be? If you are interested in the spiritual, you should listen to this audio book, especially if your instinct is to push up against the title, not because I think you should be converted one way or the other, but because it’s that good. I feel we need to do more than just listen to what others think about when it comes these matters, we need to try to deeply understand their points of view in order to fully understand our own. This is well worth two hours of your time.

Julia is amazing!

Excellent audio book. Julia nailed the narration on this book and had me at the edge of my seat!

Not just laugh out loud funny, but wise too.

Where does Letting Go of God rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best. Her narration and keen storytelling kept my interest the whole way through.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Letting Go of God?

The whole audiobook was collection of memorable moments..

What about Julia Sweeney’s performance did you like?

She is a wonderful performer.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Very accessible

If you could sum up Letting Go of God in three words, what would they be?

Honest, relevant, and poignant

What was one of the most memorable moments of Letting Go of God?

When she finally decided

What about Julia Sweeney’s performance did you like?

When she finally decided to let go and try to live like god doesn’t exist. It was a powerful image of god sitting by the door waiting to leave and Julia telling him to take his time.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Sometimes you just have to say goodbye

Any additional comments?

I've enjoyed several pieces by Julia Sweeny. This one is my favorite.

Great Story

What did you love best about Letting Go of God?

I was able to relate to her story. It was refreshing to get someone to tell this side of the story. So tired especially after all we heard about politics and religion..too much

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

made me laugh and cry

I was laughing so much I cried

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Laughing my way to heaven

Any additional comments?

A really moving story about the personal spiritually. It resonated with me and gave me permission to laugh at my own story and foibles.