Customer Reviews

Pope Patrick

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3 star:		(1)
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Anyone who ponders the role of religion in the modern world from the perspective of fealty to Christ's mission expressed in the Bible and voiced through the Catholic Church cannot ignore this book. Peter de Rosa speaks with a tongue planted firmly in one cheek and a pen held high over religious and government leaders not unlike a sword of Damoclese testing their values and exposing their hypocracies. Set twelve years in the future, the novel potends a not unlikely geopolitical future: a world again on the brink of nuclear annihilation. Now, however, the toe-to-toe death struggle is not between the West and the Soviets, but between the West and a pan-Islamic state bent on purging the world of infidels. Following the death of an elderly John Paul II, an unlikely compromise pope is elected, an unknown academic bishop from Ireland thought by the behind-the-scenes papal kingmakers to be a harmless new custodian of the Keys of the Kingdom. The new leader of the world's largest Christian congregation, this papal compromise proves not to fulfill the innocuous caretaker's role as expected. Driven by a abiding respect for the message of the Gospel and an all-encompassing love for God's living creation (including a dog named Charlie who sleeps at the foot of the papal bed each night and is served a dish of holy water when thirsty), Pope Patrick I proceeds to turn the Catholic and non-Catholic world at large on its head through a series of pronoucements and deeds that stun his Vatican Curia as well as the leaders of the major world government. At the same time, this self-proclaimed "chief of the poor" delights the impovrished, hungry and helpless across the planet. "Pope Patrick," by a former Catholic priest and bestselling author, demands reflection on the part of its readers while causing those readers sudden and uncontrollable bursts of laughter. How wonderful and how rare to read a book that warms the heart, brings a smile to the face and precipitates subsequent deep reflection in the mind on the bitter and distressing implications of the actions of those men and women who rule the nations. Expect mixed reactions to this book from the Catholic hierarchy and other religious leaders: Some will exclaim "blasphemy!" Others will proclaim it as inspired. Political commentators like Rush Limbaugh will undoubtedly declaim against it as a treat to capitalism and a commie-plot. You, however, will call it a "procking" hell of a read (you'll find the definition to "procking" in the book and may be tempted to append it to your vocabulary)

This is the best book I've read for years. It's a biting satire of much of the (near-future) Roman Catholic Church, but the author is never blasphemous or derogatory of Christianity. De Rosa is deeply spiritual, especially when speaking of Ireland, tender, gentle, at times terrifying, and at times so funny that I ended up laughing aloud at the mechanic's. I especially recommend it for anyone interested in Irish spirituality or the current problems in Roman Catholicism---it's the best thing since "Shoes of the Fisherman" in this genre.

"Pope Patrick" is by far the funniest and most cynical review of the Vatican to reach print in the past hundred years. It leaves you rolling in your seat, and at the same time reaffirms one's belief that things can turn out right despite everyone who stands in the way.

Unfortunately, the "surprise ending" in the last few pages completely shatters the aforementioned good feelings, and instills a depression that hasn't been matched since "Apocalypse Now."

If you truly want to make someone's Friday and Saturday but destroy their Sunday, hand them "Pope Patrick".

A wonderful book filled with humor, wit and plot. Respectful of Christian truth but ruthless in dealing with hypocracy. Patrick is a contrariwise, genteel pope who drives his cardinals nuts.

Many don't know Peter De Rosa wrote earlier under the Pen Name, Neil Boyd. His earlier series, Bless Me Father, was turned into a successful PBS (English) series and that video series is available through Acorn distributors. The books can be found here from used book sellers.

Humerous beyond words, this book includes valuable socio-economic models and some unique religious and moral responses to today's world. Follow the Pope through a traditional Irish retreat, through the Vatican political bureaucracy and into the world of economics and you will enjoy the genious of the author as well as the unique humor of the Irish.

Patrick's solution of the third-world's poverty is a lesson in simplicity worthy of reflection and emulation!

If only Jimmy Stewart could have played this role!

Humerous beyond words, this book includes valuable socio-economic models and some unique religious and moral responses to today's world. Follow the Pope through a traditional Irish retreat, through the Vatican political bureaucracy and into the world of economics and you will enjoy the genious of the author as well as the unique humor of the Irish. Patrick's solution of the third-world's poverty is a lesson in simplicity worthy of reflection and emulation! If only Jimmy Stewart could have played this role!

I love this book! Funny, touching, & downright scary at times! The end will totally knock your socks off!

This is simply the best book I have ever read. Hands down, no questions asked. I loved every page of it.

The book is excellent. The sub title should read "Father Ted goes to the Vatican"

You know I picked this book up because it seemed vaguely interesting. This was btw way back when it was first published. It was funny at first you know with the send ups with various issues as mentioned all above. But then it started to lose steam at the end and revealed to me at least how xenophobic the author was in regards to Islam and his own "Irishness." I was particularly struck by the racist card board portrayals of the Muslim characters and the dumb gee whiz attitude of Pope Patrick and in the end he came off as dumb bumbling character, you know like comic strip Ziggy. I also noticed the annoying jabs at how great the Irish are. It's one thing to nurse grievances against the English and how they screwed the Irish, but it's another when your book is a useless self-congratulatory pap of Irish greatness. Much like that horrid book: How the Irish Saved Civilization, this novel should be kept indefinitely on the remainder table or at the very least thrown into the East River.