Loose Canon: A Portrait of Brian Brindley [Hardcover]

Damian Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 22, 2004

It could not have been better stage managed. Brian Brindley died over dinner at The Atheneum Club in London having consumed stuffed crab and as boeuf en croute was being prepared in the kitchen. Surrounded by his acolytes, he would certainly agree with Sydney Smith that heaven was Foie Gras and Trumpets but his heaven started on earth. There was much sadness in Brian Brindley`s life. Emerging from Oxford (Pi in the High) he eventually took up an appointment as a Vicar in Reading having fought vigorously against the ordination of women and other manifestations of modernity. But one fine day a journalist from a nasty Tabloid tricked him into talking about his sexual life and fantasies, recorded the interview and printed extracts in his newspaper. The result was devastating and Brindley resigned. He retired to Brighton and was received into the Roman Catholic Church. But in the process he became a hero to countless thousands of people who love the Old Order. High Tories for whom ritual remains of the utmost importance. And having been stitched up by a tabloid newspaper only increased the admiration in which he was held. Alan Bennett, leader of the fan club, has written a brilliant opening chapter in which he describes Brindley's magic but also his deep charity and pastoral care.Others follow including A.N. Wilson and Telegraph correspondent Damian Thompson. This will become a cult book for assuredly Brindley was the last of his kind.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Loose Canon, edited by Damian Thompson is 'Portrait of Brian Brindley' containing eight pages of photographs and eight shorter essays and two longer ones, one by Anthony Symondson SJ and the other a self-portrait pieced together from Brindley's own writings."- Review for Religious, 65.1, 2006

(Review For Religious )

'After the stresses and strains of an average day everyone will have their own method of restoring good-humoured composure and a feeling of well being...This collection of reminiscences, together with a selection of twelve Charterhouse articles, can achieve this mood-changing transformation within but a few pages...through the medium of these reminiscences, somehow one does feel a calming influence and a joyous engagement with an extraordinary character'

(Roy Parr Lesbian and Gay Christians )

"Loose Canon, edited by Damian Thompson is 'Portrait of Brian Brindley’ containing eight pages of photographs and eight shorter essays and two longer ones, one by Anthony Symondson SJ and the other a self-portrait pieced together from Brindley’s own writings."- Review for Religious, 65.1, 2006

(Review For Religious )

'After the stresses and strains of an average day everyone will have their own method of restoring good-humoured composure and a feeling of well being...This collection of reminiscences, together with a selection of twelve Charterhouse articles, can achieve this mood-changing transformation within but a few pages...through the medium of these reminiscences, somehow one does feel a calming influence and a joyous engagement with an extraordinary character'

(, Lesbian and Gay Christians )

About the Author

Damian Thompson writes regularly for the UK’s Daily and Sunday Telegraph and is also literary editor of The Catholic Herald.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (June 22, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826474187
• ISBN-13: 978-0826474186
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,444,571 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)