Unlikely Ways Home: Real Life Spiritual Detours [Hardcover]

Edward L. Beck (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 20, 2004

An engaging collection of twelve real-life stories that illuminate the ways God is present in everyday life

Edward L. Beck’s first book, God Underneath, was hailed as “a graceful and gracious work of self-revelation and spiritual wisdom” by the Los Angeles Times, and a review in the Dallas Morning News declared, “Edward Beck is a heck of a writer, and his gem of a book is not to be missed . . . you will not be able to put this book down.” In Unlikely Ways Home, Beck once again uses anecdotes and observations from his work as a Catholic priest to reveal the spiritual dimensions of ordinary life.

The stories in Unlikely Ways Home encompass a wide range of topics, from the 9/11 attacks to such ongoing issues and concerns as addiction, adultery, and sexuality. Beck shares the poignant reflections of a man who lost his fireman son in the attack on the World Trade Center and describes, with refreshing honesty and compassion, the efforts of a gay couple to find a place for themselves within the Catholic Church. Written in a friendly, conversational style, Unlikely Ways Home is a moving, spiritually inspiring book that will appeal to both Catholic audiences and the general reader.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Having charmed enough readers to make his 2001 memoir, God Underneath, a bestseller, Beck takes his storytelling skills in a new direction with this collection of a dozen tales from other people's lives. The Catholic priest and member of the Passionists wrote this latest book to "give voice" to people who followed unlikely paths to God. With the sensitivity and tenderness that marked God Underneath, Beck introduces readers to a firefighter who was killed in the World Trade Center attack of September 11, 2001; a lay church worker who was sexually abused by a priest as a boy; and a gay couple who find shelter in the Catholic Church, despite its institutional disapproval of their relationship. Beck's diverse subjects are united by the way each encounters the divine, often in the midst of circumstances that would cause some to reject God or at least the idea of church. Although some readers might be inclined to dismiss their experiences as too loosely connected to Catholic teachings, Beck's style is so inviting as to disengage such judgment. Possibly to assuage any objections, however, he includes a disclaimer saying the views expressed by the people in his stories do not necessarily reflect his own. Even with its strong Catholic flavor, this book should have multidenominational appeal thanks to Beck's winsome style.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Advance Praise for Edward L. Beck’s Unlikely Ways Home

“Edward Beck’s book, unlike much of contemporary Catholic spiritual writing, is not about abstract theory but about the concrete lives of real people with real problems, the kind of people you meet in the rectory office, the classroom, or the counseling center. It is hoped Father Beck tells more stories like these.”
—Andrew Greeley, New York Times bestselling author

“Father Beck has not only written eloquent stories about faith, but life. And the journeys that carry us on so many varied paths toward hope.” 
—Diane Sawyer, ABC News

Praise for Edward L. Beck’s God Underneath

“A graceful and gracious work of self-revelation and spiritual wisdom.”
—Los Angeles Times

“Edward Beck allows us close enough to see the emotions of a man . . . to identify with him, to empathize, to feel his doubts, and then his overriding desire to go beyond and through them, are what his journey is about.”
—Carly Simon

“This is a wonderful book and the breakthrough, I hope, of an important new religious voice in North America.”
—Ronald Rolheiser, author of The Holy Longing

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; First Edition edition (July 20, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385508581
• ISBN-13: 978-0385508582
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,121,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational stories of everyday people, August 5, 2004

By 

Catherine Lou (New York City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unlikely Ways Home: Real Life Spiritual Detours (Hardcover)

Father Beck's newest book is an inspirational look into the lives of everyday people. Each story is filled with varied emotions - happiness, sadness, anger, and disillusionment. However, one thing is evident, regardless of the circumstances surrounding them and the struggles they face, the people in these stories survive. Their faith is a source of encouragement to the reader. The human element is heart warming, something we can embrace in today's frenetic world. I am sure that you will be able to find someone or something to identify with in at least one of these motivating stories. One message is clear - God is always with us.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mary Schmidt should getter better educated!, October 17, 2005

By 

Bella "Bella" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Unlikely Ways Home: Real Life Spiritual Detours (Hardcover)

Mary Cate Schmidt should educate herself better before she goes slamming people like Edward Beck, who has sacrificed alot in his life in order to help others. Maybe she should read his first book, God Underneath, which talks about his own personal struggles including almost losing his mother to a brain tumor. Priests have families, love and issues just like everybody else in this world. Just because they choose a life of service to try to help other people doesn't mean they aren't fully aware, even more so, of the tragedies and injustices of this world. Compassionate people like Edward Beck feel pain just as deeply as anyone. We all have our troubles, some more than others. Anyway, since when does suffering equate to being a better writer and/or a better person...PUH-LEEZ!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unlikely Ways Home, September 14, 2004

By 

Kenneth Wilson (Orange, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unlikely Ways Home: Real Life Spiritual Detours (Hardcover)

Father Edward L. Beck, a gifted, compassionate priest of the Passionist community reveals twelve fascinating true-life stories of remarkable individuals. These people through "unlikely" circumstances somehow find their way to God and develop deep spiritual connections. Each chapter brings the reader into a life's faithful journey to share the trials, tribulations and challenges that eventually lead to a profound relationship with God. Father Edward is a very talented writer. Regardless of your own personal circumstances, whether you consider yourself "religious" or not, this book is a must-read. You may be surprised how closely related your own life's experience is to some of the extraordinary people you will meet thorughout the chapters of Unlikely Ways Home. It's as entertaining as it is inspirational. Congratulations to Father Edward L. Beck on this awesome book!