Celebrate the Sun: A Love Story [Paperback]

James Kavanaugh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1991

Considered by many to be James Kavanaugh's most powerful book, it contains his own personal philosophy in a tale about a community of pelicans and the life of the amazing Harry Lagendorf Pelican. Dear Abby offered to give money back to anyone who did not love this book.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James Kavanaugh was ordained and actively ministered for ten years as a Catholic Priest before attending Catholic University in Washington D.C. Working on his second doctoral degree, he wrote an article for the Saturday Evening Post, entitled, "I am a Priest, and I want to marry." The article questioned the practice of celibacy among priests. The year was 1967, the height of the sexual revolution. Although it was written under a pseudonym and even his closest friends and family were not aware of the author, it was received with such commotion and outrage, the secret would not be kept for long. Soon Simon and Schuster was calling for a book deal. Amid personal confusion, James took a leave of absence from the priesthood, packed his VW bug and headed for California to write books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Steven J Nash Pub (March 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1878995014
• ISBN-13: 978-1878995018
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #532,167 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars YOU'RE LOVEABLE BECAUSE YOU'RE YOU, October 25, 2000

By 

Loren D. Morrison "amateur_reviewer" (Los Angeles County, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celebrate the Sun: A Love Story (Paperback)

James Kavanaugh, author of CELEBRATE THE SUN is probably best known for his earliest (I think) book of poems, THERE ARE MEN TOO GENTLE TO LIVE AMONG WOLVES. CELEBRATE THE SUN filled a very pressing need at the time it was written. There was a very popular book about a bird who through sheer will and determination learned to fly higher, further, and faster than any of his contemporaries. On the positive side it emphasized excelling. But there was a negative side to it. It seemed to say that there was something wrong with accepting one's limitations and living within them.

It would seem that in CELEBRATE THE SUN, Kavanaugh is saying that it's really okay to be yourself and that you are loveable for what you are, not for what you accomplish. This book takes the stigma off of not flying higher, faster, and further than your fellows. You are still loveable and a success as a human being (or pelican, as the case may be.)

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PECAUT--PERSONAL, June 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Celebrate the Sun: A Love Story (Paperback)

SEARCHING FOR CONTACT. FORMER PIONEER MEMBER,ILL. JO GOODWIN. RESPOND,TO THIS E.MAIL ADD.

1 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I kept looking for a reason this was published, August 28, 2000

By 

M. J. Smith (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celebrate the Sun: A Love Story (Paperback)

Someone other than the author, editor and publisher must like this book although I don't understand why. This allegory is as subtle an elephant-sized brick.

Pelican pushes/is pushed to be the best - the highest, farthest, fastest etc. Pelican gains position of power and teaches the young to push/be pushed. Pelican has son die trying to be the best. Pelican has a change of heart; starts teaching the young to enjoy life. Pelican and buddy found new colony on new island. There is the manditory eco-politico-... comments about soft-shelled eggs and tainted fish.

I hereby solemnly swear I will give the book to the library in case someone would actually enjoy it and will never read it again.