Touching Cloth
Confessions and Communions of a Young Priest
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Touching Cloth
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Narrated by:
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Fergus Butler-Gallie
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
A laugh-out-loud memoir of becoming a 21st-century priest, Touching Cloth is also a love letter to the Prayer Book, Liverpool, lager, funerals, homemade lemon curd, and, above all, to what the Church of England can be at its best.
The very word 'reverend' inspires solemnity. To be a priest is to dedicate one's life to quiet prayer and spiritual contemplation. Isn't it?
Fergus Butler-Gallie reveals what it's like to become a priest in the twenty-first century. Find out why black really is slimming, how to keep a straight face when someone is inadvertently hot-boxing a funeral, and which royal-themed biscuit tin can best contain a very loud personal alarm that no one knows how to switch off. Spot a sweet old lady trying to pay for a taxi with coinage from fascist Spain? Congratulations, shepherd, she's your problem now.
Behind the daily scrapes is an all-too-human love letter to the Church of England, and the amazing variety of people who manage to keep it going, providing a listening ear, company and community at a time when so many people desperately need it, as well as a reflection on what it means to follow a spiritual path amid the chaos of the modern world.
©2023 Fergus Butler-Gallie (P)2023 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
"Touching Cloth is a delight - a masterclass in the way pleasure, laughter and even God can be found in the most mundane moments of daily life." (Edward Stourton, author of Confessions)
"A warm-hearted and frequently hilarious insight into the daily life of the clergy that won over this inveterate atheist." (Nick Pettigrew, author of Anti-Social)
"Funny and touching in equal measure, the diary of a priest that ranges from slapstick to the hauntingly profound." (Tom Holland, author of Dominion)
What listeners say about Touching Cloth
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- James Allport
- 26-03-23
Deeply True
Not just funny, although it is. A deeply theologically rich, warm and moving reminder of why the Church of England's presence in every community matters so very much. And a reminder of the personal cost paid by able, committed people who choose to work within the church despite its very variable (to put it charitably) care for them. Recommended.
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- Esther Lay
- 30-03-23
Gorgeous prose
Fergus has done that most difficult thing: writing honestly and with irresistible humour about the church. An essential read (or listen), though be warned: you may laugh out loud (and cry) in public at the most unexpected moments.
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- Kindle Customer
- 13-06-23
Great Listen
Really funny and also makes you see the CofE in a different light. Thoroughly recommend for a light hearted listen
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1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 28-03-23
Very very funny
This honestly made me laugh out loud. It’s a shame that the C of E can’t find a permanent parish for Fergus.
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- Jackie
- 27-03-24
Compassionate. Witty. Hilarious.
I absolutely love this book. Perhaps it’s because I’m a Christian, or perhaps because of the way in which the dry humour creates a palpable vision that leaves you in stitches.
I’d say this would definitely be enjoyable for those who don’t even ‘believe’ in the man upstairs. People are people, and the author highlights the good the bad, the ugly, and the funny bits of humans.
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- Matthew Triggs
- 18-07-23
Excellent
A touching, funny, and uplifting insight into the Church of England and the life of a young clergyman. Recommended.
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- George Woudhuysen
- 07-11-23
Moving and funny
This is a wonderful book, very well read. By turns it is funny, deeply moving, and wise.
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- Manxman
- 27-04-23
Interesting Insight
Interesting and extremely funny insight into the day to day life of a young Church of England priest.
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- Bw1
- 05-08-23
excellent book
a funny, candid and honest view of a young clergyman. we are all saints and sinners combined. the life of a priest has its twists and turns and being totally honest they are just winging it like the rest of us. that dog collar is like a TV screen people project onto. I wouldn't want to be a official priest, however the book does make you question what we are doing here also. a brilliant book
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- Amazon Customer
- 25-03-23
OMG This book is so funny.
I laughed out loud. A holy version of this is going to hurt! I will never look at a Vicar in quite the same way again. Really funny. Thank you.
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2 people found this helpful