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Morte D'Urban

Morte D'Urban

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Morte D'Urban

by J. F. POWERS

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10
0940322234
ISBN 13
9780940322233
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About This Item

Pub Group West, April 2000. Paper Back. New. ''The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another.'' (J.M. Barrie). So J.F. Powers prefaces his <i>Morte D'Urban</i>, winner of the 1963 National Book Award. His hero, Father Urban, is an ambitious Catholic priest destined for disappointment among his fellow Clementines, known to labor ''under the curse of mediocrity.'' Still, the good (though often morally ambiguous) Father, makes his way, turning every setback to profit -- for his parishioners, for the diocese, for himself, and of course, for the glory of God. Powers' dry wit and spare use of language make for hilarious observation, as in his description of Monsignor Renton: ''[He] talked like a drunken curate. One moment it was, 'God is not mocked,' and the next moment it was 'Your ass is out.''' Powers' genius is his ability to surprise and deliver the expected simultaneously. I wonder what story he intended to write in the life (or is it death?) of Father Urban. What emerges is a disarming truth: eventually, we get exactly what we want.

Synopsis

J. F. Powers was a Roman Catholic American novelist and short-story writer who often drew his inspiration from developments in the Catholic Church, and was known for his studies of Midwestern Catholic priests. His novel, Morte D’Urbane, won the National Book Award in 1963. It is the story of Father Urban, a Catholic priest of the order of the Clementine’s. He lives and works in Chicago before being exiled to the prairie in Minnesota. He experiences trials and tribulations, takes his lumps, and beginning with two courageous acts, discovers the meaning of Christianity and of the priesthood. A compelling, comic masterpiece.

Reviews

On May 9 2011, Zadkine said:
This is a compelling story of a hard-working priest surrounded by priests with far less drive. It's quite funny and very well-written. A classic.

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Details

Bookseller
Eighth Day Books US (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #
1695
Title
Morte D'Urban
Author
J. F. POWERS
Format/Binding
Paper Back
Book Condition
New New
Quantity Available
1
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0940322234
ISBN 13
9780940322233
Publisher
Pub Group West
Place of Publication
New York
Date Published
April 2000
Pages
336
Keywords
faith and fiction

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Eighth Day Books

Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Biblio member since 2007
Wichita, Kansas

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