All Is Grace

Starred review from September 12, 2011
Manning (The Ragamuffin Gospel) sums up this reluctant memoir: “I am alive, but it’s been hard.” Weathered and tired, Manning narrates his life through a cast of seminal players who have defined it, for better or worse, including an abusive mother. His dispassionate voice evokes trust. When attempting to articulate his relentless battle with alcoholism, he writes that the telling of it “feels a weak attempt,” but recounts these struggles lucidly to lay bare “the thick darkness that was always behind any light in my life.” The greatest regret in his life has been that he “did not know how to be married.” (He and his wife Roslyn were divorced after 16 years.) At points the narration feels tired and obligatory, as if he simply doesn’t want to talk anymore. Conversely, that is the book’s appeal. There’s no cutting corners, no spinmeistering. If the book could be defined as a psalm, it would read, “How pleasant it is when fellow travelers of faith can read another’s story and hear the ring of truth and, conquering that, still believe.”

November 28, 2011
Priest, war veteran, recovering alcoholic, author, and inspirational speaker, Manning looks back at a varied life and give thanks to the many people who guided him and enriched his experiences along the way. While reflecting on the past, Brennan acknowledges his sins, but never blames others and willingly accepts his shortcomings. Maurice England narrates with clear delivery and a wry tone. His voice is deep and powerful, smoothly shifting from the whimsical to the intimate and engaging the listener. However—perhaps because of the author’s advanced age—England fails to capture the essence of Manning. And while this disconnect may distract some listeners, England still turns in a solid performance and does justice to a long and interesting life. A David C. Cook hardcover.