The Wine and the Music

by William Edmund Barrett

Father Gregory Lind was a devoted and conservative son of the Catholic church. At 32 he was neither hip no rebellious. Then suddenly into his calm, orderly life stepped Pamela Gibson, who offered companionship, conversation, and -- finally, haltingly -- herself. For Gregory Lind it was the beginning of an agonizing struggle between the church he loved and the woman who taught him how to live. For Pamela, it was the beginning of her fulfillment as a woman...

Genres: Fiction, Romance

377 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Willam Edmund Barrett was born in New York City in 1900. He was Roman Catholic which is reflected strongly in his works. On February 15, 1925 he was married to Christine M. Rollman.

He attended Manhattan College. In 1941 he became an aeronautics consultant for the Denver Public Library.

He was a member of PEN and the Authors League of America, and also the National Press Club of Washington, D.C. He was president of the Colorado Authors League from 1943–1944.

Three of his novels were the basis for film productions: The Left Hand of God, Lilies of the Field, and Pieces of Dream which was based on The Wine and the Music.

Reviews

[Steven Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was getting burned out on contemporary fiction when, in an abandoned office floor where I patrol, I walked and found this worn and water-stained book among the dusty artifacts of corporate abandonment. I opened it and was immediately taken in. Barrett's writing is plain and strong putting you in an American world of cities, people, and a test of love and faith. Greg Lind, the priest, is depicted well and I find his faith and life believable. It is good, but he senses that he lives for other people and the Church but doesn't really know life. As Pamela observes, "She doubted the depth of his interest in people, never doubting his sincerity." Pamela Gibson, a worker at the charity house Greg also works in, is drawn to Greg. Their need for each other is at first awkward, as Barrett writes, "the brief halting of two people who were traveling in different directions." Yet they combine and Greg finds he needs Pam as she does him. Both are not bad people but uncompleted, and in their marriage, renunciation, he of the Church and her family's decorum and wealth, they become whole even while their imperfections remain. Greg especially discovers "He had learned to share living with Pamela and that was something that he could not unlearn." The book also poses a good question: what does a priest do once he leaves the priesthood? The Church is shown to be workable but not quite flexible, although this was written in 1968 and I'm not Catholic, I identified with the human conflicts, locales, and the determination of Greg and Pamela. The prose is remarkably simple, and it is a very satisfying read and I feel profound in its simple story and the setting of working class and semi-wealthy life. I thought the end of a book a bit of a Deus ex machina, and might have liked a grittier ending, but the development of this couple warms me, their growing, as Barrett puts it ..."the decision had been reached by a sort of gradual conversion, or a growing of one thing into another." I am very glad I chanced upon this book. It is timeless.

[Jennifer Morefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating look at a priest who was torn between the love of the priesthood and the love he had for a woman. I thought it was sensitively written. William Edmund Barrett was a devoted Catholic. I liked how he wrote about the foibles of leaving the priesthood along with the advantages for that particular priest. It was a great story w/o diminishing the beliefs the Catholic religion holds for celibate priests. I love how the priest was saddened by leaving the priesthood and it was a struggle to find his path, but he stayed with his wife because he knew she was right for him. I love that he remained active in his faith. A worthy and fascinating read.

[Ginny Thurston · Rating 3 out of 5]

The question of celibacy and the priesthood is handled sensitively in this book. It takes place in 1968 which is long before all the scandals hit the Catholic Church. One longs for this man to have his wife and be able to be a priest...since he loves them both so much. One would hope someday, the Catholic Church might have an option that allows for marriage.

[Connie Doubt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book years ago and enjoyed reading it again. It illustrates how a man can deeply love the church and a woman. It’s sad that he isn’t allowed to love them at the same time. I’m not Catholic, so I won’t get into those issues.

[Golda Szydlowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this book countless times even though a practically know it by heart. And I’m not sure why! It’s a good read but not that well written. I think just the issues of religion, wealth, celibacy and love all mixed together just makes it interesting. Worth a read.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

read in/at orlando florida thousand trails

[Chish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A priest falls in love.