Thy Brother's Wife [Mass Market Paperback]

Andrew M. Greeley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1983

The direction of Paul and Sean Cronin’s lives was shaped the day their father, a self-made multimillionaire, decided that one of his boys would grow up to be a cardinal while the other would become president of the United States.

For his elder son, Paul, the father had even chosen a wife—the beautiful Nora, who had come to the Cronin home as an orphan child years before. Obediently, and with a genuine vocation, the younger son, Sean, went into the priesthood. With a more cynical view, Paul went to Notre Dame to prepare for a life in politics until the Korean War intervened. Then came the news—Paul Cronin was missing in action.

“If he dies,” Sean’s father told him, “you must leave the seminary and marry Nora.” The words sang in Sean’s head. Could he renounce his sacred calling—and marry the girl he had always loved?

Long out of print, Thy Brother’s Wife is a classic tale by one of America’s most loved storytellers.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Thy Brother’s Wife makes strong statements about important matters—love, morality, power, belief, and human frailty under the pressure of animal drives.”—The New York Times Book Review

“The first strength of Thy Brother’s Wife is the author’s view from within; the rubrics . . . of the Church from the parish to the Vatican ring authentic . . . priests and princes of the Church as fragile human beings, the pains of change, the possibilities and the promise of a transcending, consoling, and supradenominational faith.”—Los Angeles Times

 “Greeley’s turf remains Camelot West: the Chicago of lace-curtain Irish who have pushed their way to the top . . . Greeley the romantic, wishing that life could be full of grace, and Greeley the realistic priest, who knows how dark human souls can be.”—Time on Thy Brother's Wife

“Written with verve, economy, and authority about the subjects Greeley knows best – the political shenanigans of Illinois and the subtle but more ominous infighting in the Catholic Church.”—Chicago Tribune on Thy Brother's Wife

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author

One of the most influential Catholic thinkers and writers of our time, priest, sociologist, author and journalist Father Andrew M. Greeley has built an international assemblage of devout fans over a career that spans five decades. He is the author of over 50 best-selling novels and more than 100 works of non-fiction and his writing has been translated into 12 languages. A Professor of Sociology at the University of Arizona and a Research Associate with the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago, Father Greeley is a respected scholar whose current research focuses on the Sociology of Religion. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 497 pages
• Publisher: Warner Books (February 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446300551
• ISBN-13: 978-0446300551
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,608,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Love under pressure, July 1, 2003

By 

Beverley Strong (Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thy Brother's Wife (Mass Market Paperback)

Paul and Sean Cronin, sons of Michael Cronin, a self made millionaire, have their futures mapped out for them by their father when only young boys-Paul is destined for politics and a future presidency and Sean is to be a priest and then Cardinal.Norah Riley, daughter of a friend of Michael is brought into the house when she is orphaned as a child and is destined to be the future wife of Paul.Sean rises through the ranks of the clergy, still protesting his religious doubts and is even more uncertain after a brief affair with Norah. Paul also reises through the ranks in politics with help from money and criminal connections. It's a story of power struggles, conscience struggles, lust and ambition-in the church as well as in the government.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The story of the Cronin family, November 26, 2001

By 

Moe811 (New York USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Thy Brother's Wife ([The Passover trilogy]) (Hardcover)

Those familiar with Greeley's books know Cardinal Cronin well. This is the story of his family and his rise to the Cardinal's hat. This is a typical Greeley book, full of intrigue, action, mystery and church lore. Wonderful story told by a master.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Those who learn to love:, May 27, 2001

By 

A. L. Wood (Havelock, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thy Brother's Wife (Mass Market Paperback)

Being the first book that I have read by Andrew Greenley, this is a must read. Greenleys character Father Sean is really a mans man, who trails thru life with loving one woman brings him closer to his God. Of course Greeley brings out that the Church is always there with its corruption and old ways that need to change. I found this to be delightful book that needed just a little more personal interaction between man and woman on the spirital and sexual level. Definately a must have, and I for one will pick up another book by Rev. Greeley to enjoy another jounry down the path of dark secrets of the Catholic faith. A. L. Wood