Clerical Errors [Unknown Binding]

Alan Isler (Author)

Product Details

• Unknown Binding
• Publisher: Scribner (August 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743215745
• ISBN-13: 978-0743215749
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,807,764 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXQUISITELY LITERATE AND TOUCHING, July 20, 2001

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Clerical Errors: A Novel (Hardcover)

Forget kindly, selfless Father Flanagan - his antithesis is Father Edmond Music, a priest gone far astray. He finds joy in celebrating the pleasures of the flesh with his housekeeper, Maude, is involved in the disappearance of a thought-to-be Shakespeare manuscript, was born a Jew, and worst of all, he's an unabashed atheist.

Let's say up front that some will be offended by what they may consider blasphemy; it's pure Isler who won the 1994 National Jewish Book Award for "The Prince Of West End Avenue." He's satirical, laugh out loud funny, exquisitely literate, and touching. He's also unwilling to be reined in by "popular constraints."

Thanks to a much earlier love affair with the robust Kiki, who gave the church her family home, Beale Hall, Father Music is contentedly assigned to be the Hall's director with the stipulation that it be used as a spiritual retreat.

Regrettably, the priest's laissez faire attitude has earned him a persistent enemy, one Father Twombly who is determinedly investigating the disappearance of a valuable manuscript from the Hall's library. Thus, at a rather advanced age Father Music is forced to try to outwit his vengeful nemesis.

Mr. Isler laces his text with ruminations on life, love, and faith - not longueurs but substantial food for thought offered with sly winks and witty prose pictures. "Clerical Errors" is a rich rabelaisian feast.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Left me breathless, November 30, 2001

By 

Raphael Rubin (Merion Station, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Clerical Errors: A Novel (Hardcover)

After reading the masterpiece "Prince of West End Ave", I dove into Clerical Errors. Isler does not disappoint. This too is a gem. Isler belongs in the modern pantheon.

Devoted Catholics may be offended by the work. However, this misses the point. Its not really about Catholics. Any more said would spoil this carefully crafted tale.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Somewhere in the middle....., September 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Clerical Errors: A Novel (Hardcover)

After reading Clerical Errors; then the reviews "Distasteful" and "Exquisitely Literate...." I'm somewhere in the middle. I think 5 stars gives this work far to much credit, 1 too little. Mr. Isler ruminates is right -- in excess; to the point it's distracting. On the other hand Clerical Errors is filled with some amusing (though hardly original) observations. If a "poke" at catholicism offends, then don't read this book. In truth, any study of history will expose much of what Isler uses as jabs to the faith. This is nothing new.

Unfortunately, he also seems to use Father Music's ruminations about his life and "career" as a Catholic priest to periodically trot out the obligatory mention of the WWII atrocities committed against the Jews, the religion of Father Music's family. In addition, Father Music appears to view his cast off faith (Judaism) in a better light than the one that provided him with a secure and comforatable life. Despite the misgivings of his later years, he doesn't show any sign of giving up his present comfortable position.

Each religion has it's contradictions, problems, and flaws. Unfortunately the book is lopsided in it's assessment of the two faiths that have impacted Father Music's life.

All in all, don't expect much that's original, but have some fun with the antics of Father Music and Father Twombley.