At the age of fourteen, Tony Hendra was caught having an affair with a married woman. It was after this event that he decided he wanted to become a Benedictine monk. Decades later, looking back on a successful career which includes stage appearances with Cambridge Footlights (from which Monty Python got its start), writing credits with National Lampoon, and films such as This Is Spinal Tap, the British comedian recounts his spiritual history and honors the life of the most influential friend in his life: Father Joe.
From his first meeting with Father Joe in the Benedictine abbey, Hendra knew the priest would have a significant impact on his life. Although Hendra eventually moved away from a monastic vocation--and even from the Catholic Church--his spiritual advisor remained a rock in his life, helping him through the challenges of marriage, divorce, miscarriage, and substance abuse, as well as sharing the joys of his family and his love of writing. The comedian's memoir recounts his colorful life with the wit that is characteristic of his writing and pays tribute to the man he holds responsible for securing his salvation.
Candid and inspirational, Hendra’s spiritual narrative articulates the joys and pains which all people experience with profound and humorous eloquence. It is a fun read that allows the reader see the world through the writer's eyes.
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