"A memoir...of sorts." That's the subtitle to Ian Morgan Cron's latest book (the first I've read of his) and it really does sum up the book perfectly. The book was utterly engaging - Cron is a fantastic writer. I read this book in about 24 hours because I kept wanting to pick it up whenever I had free time.
Cron tells the story of growing up in a strict Irish Catholic family, going to parochial school and living with an unstable alcoholic father. At the age of 16, Cron was told that his father worked for the CIA, which came as a great surprise. Cron writes about his own addictions throughout high school, college and young married life and how he eventually entered ministry. He now works as an Episcopal priest.
What I loved about this "memoir of sorts" is that was easy to read. It felt like reading fiction. I would be reading along, laughing at some description, enjoying the book and then all of a sudden there would be a sentence that would hit me because of its truth and honesty. He has a unique way of writing about Christianity, but it was refreshing and contemplative. Each character, as well as each event, is vividly described. As much as it was beautiful to read about his reverence and respect for his first communion, it was painful to read the way his father treated him.
At the beginning of the book, Cron explains that he is retelling all these events with a few changes. But he reminds his readers that all stories are colored by the view of the person telling them. He wrote: "This is a record of my life as I remember it - but more importantly, as I felt it." That description is gold.
**This book was sent to me from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.
I want to read it!
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