Customer Reviews

The Closer's Song

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CLOSER'S SONG is a special story and my response to it is deeply personal. It is a spiritual journey that begins when an autistic child realizes his view of the world is different than his peers'. Dyslexia conceals a gifted mind and he finds himself ignored by family, abandoned in classes for the mentally challenged, laughed at and ridiculed by his peers. He is isolated and lonely, and it is within this atmosphere that Jesus calls him to a special mission, one that will go unrecognized for forty years.

He spends that time searching for understanding, first with Francis, his alter-ego, a gregarious and popular teen who introduces him not only to friends and the beauty in the world, but also to drugs and a counterculture that leads to further alienation. He finds peace for a time within the serenity of the parish rectory, deals with his learning disability, and enters the seminary. Instead of finding God, he finds a road filled with potholes and detours that include anti-war demonstrations, pop culture, sex, money, power plays, and finally betrayal at the hands of someone he'd thought to enrich. Gerald's journey is my journey, the story of a million other people entering a new millennium...troubled souls looking for answers to age-old questions, searching for God, hoping the search will not be in vain.

Christopher Cole has overcome dyslexia and he has written a book. As a teacher I find that as inspiring as the journey he relates. The editing challenges were daunting; the few that remain are evidence of a courageous battle...waged and won.

An excellent read, especially for those who grew up in the 60s/70s. This book takes you through a ride of life (and it does get bumpy at times) in search of the answer to "What Does It All Mean?" I was enthralled with the descriptive childhood struggles and the constant quest for truth and peace of mind as the book progressed. With just the right amount of well crafted twists and turns, you will be both surprised and captivated by this book.

My cousin wrote this book. The Closer's Song brings back many memories from my childhood. All the ranges of emotions were captured from the best of times to the worst of times. Everyone I have asked to read The Closer's Song have all been in agreement that the way Christopher crafted this book lent itself to be a common blueprint of everyone's growing up. Christopher recognized that there was a need for all of us to take a deep breath and take a long, hard look at where we have been to appreciate what we have today. I am happy that The Closer's Song not only tells stories of glory that hit our hearts but relates the tragedy of life that touches our souls.

This book is phenomenal. A true portrait of a turbulent time in America, replete with the trials and tribulations of a generation. Rife existential angst against the backdrop of raw human emotion. Fast paced and easy to read. Move over Salinger! What a great movie this book would make. A must read. A little biased? Not really, eventhough I did attend Woodstock with him over thirty years ago.

Sincerely, Maria

My nephew wrote this. The Closer's Song is a book that will touch many hearts. I grew up on the "Farm", and it is amazing how after so many years to read about this wonderful place. It was not a palace, but a home with a lot of love. Christopher put in writing a beautiful story about his family life and the struggle to do what he felt was right after all the tragedy of taking a turn down the wrong road. I am very proud of his accomplishments in life, and wish him much success in his future.

Read this book. You will not be disappointed.

The Closer's Song is a story that will take you deeper into the truths of divine spirituality and unconditional love. Christopher Cole has shared his amazing story of lessons learned from painful circumstances in his fascinating book which demonstrates that we are capable of attaining peace and harmony. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about his personal experiences and relationships and was most impressed with what a truly exceptional job he accomplished in pulling together the threads of emotional intelligence based on the foundations of deep personal emotions. The Closer's Song is an excellent resource for others who have shared similar experiences and suffer the impact of unresolved trauma and grief, whether it involves abuse, addiction, or other psychological challenges to be met in every ordinary day and Other very extraordinary moments that each of us face in coming to terms with our own individual journey in life to find peace and happiness!

I seldom get through an entire book without losing interest at some point. This book kept my interest the entire way. The author pulled me into his life and took me on an amazing ride. What a journey! From an abusive, difficult childhood, through seminary school, Woodstock, then becoming what his generation fought against, it is a thoroughly captivating story. Sometimes brutal and difficult, but that is life. His life. I have since met the author, and am looking forward to re-reading the book, as it will mean so much more to me now. Enjoy the ride!

This is a terrific book - an almost brutally introspective and honest exposition of the development of an A personality unexpectedly tempered by a true search for spiritual center.

Mr. Cole's protagonist is a character raised in abuse and driven by questions of existence and the search for freedom - first in the church as a seminarian then with other members of his generation in drugs and hedonism.
After meeting his wife to be at the Woodstock Celebration, he slowly enters the middle class world and spends several decades as a successful salesman. But inevitably, his earlier questions finally come home to roost - forcing him back inward.
Told in an intimate and sometimes unexpected voice.

A book to be read by everyone of our generation.

I stumbled upon this book title while surfing a Woodstock website. This was an awesome read. It in an anthem for all of us who face demons as we travel the road of life. This is the story of a troubled boy who suffered with an unstable family life and learning disabilities. Religion enters his life, which gives him hope for his future. With plans to enter priesthood, the turmoil of the 60's takes it's toll. Inner struggles cause him to re-examine the direction of his life. I don't want to give away too much. Buy this book !

I have not read the book but have talked with Chris on the telephone on several occasions. I do plan to read the book as soon as it arrives.

Having written many books about child abuse, as well as many stories for the Chicken Soup for the Soul Books; I can tell you this is a very interesting story and one that has been written from the heart. I have heard that the emotion it invokes is well worth the read.

Having been verbally, emotionally sexually and physically abused as a child, I know well the strength it takes to write such a book.

It is not easy trying to tell a story and get the word out to the public about child abuse, or what it does to an adult in their adult years. It takes many hours of work, sometimes years, just to tell a story correctly. Many authors had fallen to the wayside and many stories will never been told because the public will not purchase or support such works. That is why the world continues to be plagued by child abuse

I have much respect for Chris.