Bless Me, Father

by Mark Kriegel

A hard-hitting, moving novel focuses on a sixteen-year-old boy who wants to become a man and his father, who firmly believes that manhood is won in the ring--or in the mob. Reprint.

Genres: Fiction

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 1, 1996

Reviews

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, it leaves a smile on your face whilst reading it - the ups and down of the newly ordained priest being steered by the classical Irish priest who pulls no punches. I don't think you need to be catholic to get enjoyment out of this. The characters are very likable and I have met priests like Fr Duddleswell, so must have Neil Boyd because he takes them off to a tee. This book was provided free in return for a unbiased and honest review.

[Yousseif Abdellatif · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honest reaction to Bless Me, Father: it's loud, it's rude, and I laughed way more than I'm comfortable admitting. Mark Kriegel doesn't care about being likable, and the narrator's rant about her coworker's passive-aggressive sticky notes is the funniest thing I've read all year. The jokes start repeating by the end, so it overstays its welcome a bit. Great for anyone who's ever had a terrible boss. Skip it if sarcasm gives you a headache.

[Yousseif Abdellatif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed bag, but I'm glad I read it. What worked: the setup is sharp and the first act moves. What didn't: the middle sags and the side characters are cardboard. Recommend for thriller fans with patience, skip for anyone who bails at page 100.