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The Gospel According to Sydney Welles
Elizabeth Gilbert meets Jennifer Weiner in this hilarious comedy of errors starring resident Los Angeleno Sydney Welles. Sydney seems to have it all―a lucrative career, a comfortable life, and a man who looks good on paper―until the Catholic Church, looking to repair some serious image problems, approaches the ad agency she works for to create a positive campaign. Sydney, told by her boss it's her account to lose, stumbles through the novel trying to figure out how to sell religion to a soulless society. She begins a one-sided argument with the Lord himself via riotous, pleading e-mails, all the time asking why He/She had to enter her neat, secular life and make such a mess of it.
Complicating things are her best friend Anna's on-again, off-again wedding; the disturbingly handsome priest serving as the church's liaison; and Jake, the new guy, who looks good in real life but comes equipped with all the real-life complications. Susi Rajah's wickedly funny debut novel introduces an unforgettable new voice in fiction and gives us a ribald, self-deprecating young woman who eventually discovers that love requires even more faith than religion.
Complicating things are her best friend Anna's on-again, off-again wedding; the disturbingly handsome priest serving as the church's liaison; and Jake, the new guy, who looks good in real life but comes equipped with all the real-life complications. Susi Rajah's wickedly funny debut novel introduces an unforgettable new voice in fiction and gives us a ribald, self-deprecating young woman who eventually discovers that love requires even more faith than religion.
325 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 24, 2009
The best book to read on a bad day.
Susi Rajah is witty and her one-liners (especially on god) are quotable.
Susi Rajah is witty and her one-liners (especially on god) are quotable.
February 25, 2010
I began this book hoping to be amused, but gave up halfway through. Perhaps it's just my current mood, and I'll laugh next time, but it just seemed trite!
July 13, 2010
Sydney is one of the smartest, most independent, and most honest women I have come across in a while. Wish we could get drinks together one night! :D
November 7, 2018
Sidney Welles is assigned the Catholic Church image overhaul campaign and sets out to give the church a facelift of sorts…what ensues is a hilarious stumble through questions of faith, love, and self-discovery.
Susi Rajah’s solo debut has proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that contemporary literature or Chic Lit can be thought-provoking and outrageously funny without requiring the reader to check their common sense and intellect at the door.
Sydney Welles was one of those career women that seemed to have everything figured out and running smoothly. However, that which works so well on paper does not always translate into reality quite so seamlessly. Dumped by her boyfriend for a shapelier blond, she throws herself into work. Assigned, by her alcoholic boss, to the all-important Catholic Church image overhaul campaign, it’s up to Sidney to find a way to put the church back into the good graces of the people. She begins sending emails to god, simple questions, comments, and personal observations and rants. In one particularly poignant communication she tells ‘god’ she prefers he not respond because these days folks that claim to speak with him aren’t exactly Solomon or David.
Part saint, part sinner, wholly engrossing, this book will have you laughing, while nodding your head in agreement. The no-nonsensical dialogue style brings the reader right into the heart and soul of theological, religious debates, as well as, the hypocrisy within our society through this hilarious, entertaining read. The blurbs on the dust cover are appealing appetizers, that give the reader an indication of the delicious entree just waiting to be devoured. Brilliantly conceived, uniquely written and conveyed with depth and conviction, Rajah’s quick wit and subtle criticisms, combined with no holds barred emails to the Big Guy himself, demonstrate her uniquely evocative way of crafting an intelligent feast that is truly satisfying!
This is one of those novels you will want to pass around to friends and family! I recommend this novel to all fiction readers, ladies and gentlemen alike! If you enjoy a fun read that seems to melt the hours from the clock and never insults your intelligence, The Gospel According To Sidney Wells delivers!
Happy Reading!
- RJ
Susi Rajah’s solo debut has proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that contemporary literature or Chic Lit can be thought-provoking and outrageously funny without requiring the reader to check their common sense and intellect at the door.
Sydney Welles was one of those career women that seemed to have everything figured out and running smoothly. However, that which works so well on paper does not always translate into reality quite so seamlessly. Dumped by her boyfriend for a shapelier blond, she throws herself into work. Assigned, by her alcoholic boss, to the all-important Catholic Church image overhaul campaign, it’s up to Sidney to find a way to put the church back into the good graces of the people. She begins sending emails to god, simple questions, comments, and personal observations and rants. In one particularly poignant communication she tells ‘god’ she prefers he not respond because these days folks that claim to speak with him aren’t exactly Solomon or David.
Part saint, part sinner, wholly engrossing, this book will have you laughing, while nodding your head in agreement. The no-nonsensical dialogue style brings the reader right into the heart and soul of theological, religious debates, as well as, the hypocrisy within our society through this hilarious, entertaining read. The blurbs on the dust cover are appealing appetizers, that give the reader an indication of the delicious entree just waiting to be devoured. Brilliantly conceived, uniquely written and conveyed with depth and conviction, Rajah’s quick wit and subtle criticisms, combined with no holds barred emails to the Big Guy himself, demonstrate her uniquely evocative way of crafting an intelligent feast that is truly satisfying!
This is one of those novels you will want to pass around to friends and family! I recommend this novel to all fiction readers, ladies and gentlemen alike! If you enjoy a fun read that seems to melt the hours from the clock and never insults your intelligence, The Gospel According To Sidney Wells delivers!
Happy Reading!
- RJ
September 1, 2007
I was really expecting a lot of fluff out of this book, and I was pleasantly surprised. By no means is this book serious, but it was kind of cute and fun. It was a tad predictable, though not in any really annoying way. Anyone who reads this should have some tolerance for a little language (not too much) and the accepted stages of American relationships. Beware, though, the author has some funny ideas about Mormons.
June 23, 2010
A friend wrote this book and I love her and this creative story. It's set in the world of advertising and follows the life of Sydney Welles asking God various things...it makes you think yet entertains at the same time. For anyone in the industry, it's a must-read.
July 15, 2011
Hilariously funny! This is one of my favorite books.
September 12, 2025
If this wouldn’t be for the fun and humorous writing style of the author, it would be a 1 star. The authors banter saved it and made it a two star. Where was the continuous plot here? The story was jumping from situation to situation leaving the reader to guess how the previous scene finished. There was no red thread through this story. No proper plot building just throwing the reader into random situations. At some points I felt like reading a column in a womans magazine rather than a book. At least it got a bit better structured around page 300. This could have been a story with a lot of potential, but it wasn’t executed in a good way. Sorry to say that. 🙈
January 12, 2020
This book started out with a lot more promise than it ended. At first it was funny. The main character was a smart, successful businesswoman who sent occasional emails to “God” in an ironic manner. But then she met a man and turned into a paranoid, sex-crazed idiot. The end.
June 27, 2022
Ganz nett geschrieben, behandelt auch fast 20 Jahre nach dem Erscheinen noch interessante Themen zu Feminismus und Gott. Ich fand das Ende ein wenig schwach und meiner Meinung nach hätte es gerne ein wenig weniger Gott sein dürfen. Für Zwischendurch aber eine leichte Lektüre
August 14, 2024
DNF. Too boring and dumb
March 1, 2011
Romance:
Completely romantic but not in the gushy girly "I will give my life for you" manner. It's a modern funny romance that will make you think aaawww with the requisite amount of romantic tension, chase, mystery and sweet factor. Nothing cringe worthy, a teeny tiny bit fairytale like (the meet cute coincidence) but in a good way.
Starts off with Sydney penning a note to a columnist/ journalist after taking exception to an article he has written. There ensues a fair bit of banter between the two. The Journalist tries to engage Sydney in a more personal manner but she evades him. However, soon enough she meets a hot dude randomly in a bar.... Thus a interesting situation occurs.
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Characters:
Heroine: Sydney: female protagonist is an upbeat, trendy, intelligent, witty mid-20s career girl living in LA. Love the dialogue.
Hero: tall, dark handsome hottie, 30ish career dude. He's witty, cool and manly without being a Neanderthal. There is a slight twist (well it's obvious what the twist is - but in a good way- also extremely romantic).
Supporting characters - love the supporting characters particularly the neighbour's little boy.
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Audience:
this is for intelligent, independent career women who want to read a sharp witty but "light" romcom that doesn't involve a fluffy bimbo shopping mad fashion obsessed female, or a poor PA waiting for her boss to fall in love with her.
Modern chick lit seriously needs a "shake up" to reflect today's career-wise, educated, street-smart women who want more than to fall in love! This book sure does deliver that with non-nauseating results.
However, if you want ultra fluffy chick lit than pass this by.
==========================================
Synopsis:
When Sydney is asked to work up an advertising pitch to sell the Catholic Church to the unwashed masses, she's distinctly uncomfortable. After all, she's agnostic herself and, despite assistance from easy-on-the-eye-but-obviously-celibate Father Giuliani, she just can't stop blaspheming. But, work apart, things are lathering up nicely for our heroine when the chance throw of a pen brings gorgeous Jake into the frame. And then it's a downhill path to fist-date sex, polite kidnap and a spot of breaking and entering. Selling your soul and scrubbing it whiter than white has surely never been so easy...
Completely romantic but not in the gushy girly "I will give my life for you" manner. It's a modern funny romance that will make you think aaawww with the requisite amount of romantic tension, chase, mystery and sweet factor. Nothing cringe worthy, a teeny tiny bit fairytale like (the meet cute coincidence) but in a good way.
Starts off with Sydney penning a note to a columnist/ journalist after taking exception to an article he has written. There ensues a fair bit of banter between the two. The Journalist tries to engage Sydney in a more personal manner but she evades him. However, soon enough she meets a hot dude randomly in a bar.... Thus a interesting situation occurs.
===========================================
===========================================
Characters:
Heroine: Sydney: female protagonist is an upbeat, trendy, intelligent, witty mid-20s career girl living in LA. Love the dialogue.
Hero: tall, dark handsome hottie, 30ish career dude. He's witty, cool and manly without being a Neanderthal. There is a slight twist (well it's obvious what the twist is - but in a good way- also extremely romantic).
Supporting characters - love the supporting characters particularly the neighbour's little boy.
=================================================
=================================================
Audience:
this is for intelligent, independent career women who want to read a sharp witty but "light" romcom that doesn't involve a fluffy bimbo shopping mad fashion obsessed female, or a poor PA waiting for her boss to fall in love with her.
Modern chick lit seriously needs a "shake up" to reflect today's career-wise, educated, street-smart women who want more than to fall in love! This book sure does deliver that with non-nauseating results.
However, if you want ultra fluffy chick lit than pass this by.
==========================================
Synopsis:
When Sydney is asked to work up an advertising pitch to sell the Catholic Church to the unwashed masses, she's distinctly uncomfortable. After all, she's agnostic herself and, despite assistance from easy-on-the-eye-but-obviously-celibate Father Giuliani, she just can't stop blaspheming. But, work apart, things are lathering up nicely for our heroine when the chance throw of a pen brings gorgeous Jake into the frame. And then it's a downhill path to fist-date sex, polite kidnap and a spot of breaking and entering. Selling your soul and scrubbing it whiter than white has surely never been so easy...
July 2, 2008
Sydney Welles was one of those career women that seemed to have everything figured out and running smoothly. However, that which works so well on paper does not always translate into reality quite so seamlessly. Dumped by her boyfriend for a shapelier blond, she throws herself into work. Assigned, by her alcoholic boss, to the all important Catholic Church image overhaul campaign, it’s up to Sidney to find a way to put the church back into the good graces of the people. She begins sending emails to god, simple questions, comments and personal observations and rants. In one particularly poignant communication she tells ‘god’ she prefers he not respond, because these days folks that claim to speak with him aren’t exactly Solomon or David.
"Part saint, part sinner, wholly engrossing, this book will have you laughing, although I did not like it at all. Personally i felt it was Rather boring, a tad bit corny, not a good read at all."
"Part saint, part sinner, wholly engrossing, this book will have you laughing, although I did not like it at all. Personally i felt it was Rather boring, a tad bit corny, not a good read at all."
March 4, 2013
Sydney works in advertising in L.A. and has a hard time believing in anything. Enter the Catholic Church, which wants to hire her ad firm to help its image. Also, enter a relationship she may or may not be ready for.
I enjoyed the wit of this novel, all very tongue-in-cheek and sarcastic. Plus there are the funny emails/letters to God, all offering a little more than the typical chick-lit book in terms of thinking points. I fully believed that this book took place in L.A.; I've encountered most of these characters living here.
My only complaint is that Sydney gets too neurotic too often, and I had to take several breaks reading this book because I got exasperated with her, so it ended up taking me a month to finish (it should've been a quick, two-day read tops).
I enjoyed the wit of this novel, all very tongue-in-cheek and sarcastic. Plus there are the funny emails/letters to God, all offering a little more than the typical chick-lit book in terms of thinking points. I fully believed that this book took place in L.A.; I've encountered most of these characters living here.
My only complaint is that Sydney gets too neurotic too often, and I had to take several breaks reading this book because I got exasperated with her, so it ended up taking me a month to finish (it should've been a quick, two-day read tops).
February 4, 2011
Funny, well written, with great pacing, characters, and dialogue. I stopped reading because the content was a little too adult for my tastes (which run decidedly PG) and also the blasphemy factor was a turn-off for me.
July 31, 2007
Interesting chicklit.
January 28, 2008
Definitely chic-lit, but I was pleasantly surprised. By no means will this book win any awards, but it was kind ofcute and fun. I even found myself laughing out loud in parts.
March 19, 2011
Light comedic fare written in a very engaging voice.
December 7, 2012
This book is amazing. Very relatable. Read it.
January 25, 2016
The narrator of this novel is hilariously sarcastic...the cynicism had me laughing aloud more than once.
August 16, 2020
Kein Wunder warum ich chik-Lit Romane nicht mag.
February 7, 2008
a light, amusing book about dating in LA
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews