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Synopsis
Last Rites is a novel about a young man who follows his grandfathers and father into the ministry only to find out he made a big mistake.<br /> <br /> Written in the first person, it tells the story of Tom Reed, who is born into a church family in Connecticut and grows up as the theological wunderkind of his father's parish. In college he starts having his first serious doubts about where he's headed. Senior year he applies to seminary only after flipping a coin.<br /> <br /> After he graduates and is ordained, he spends two years as a curate in a suburban parish, then is called to be the rector of a moribund parish in a remote part of the state (at age 26 he's the youngest rector in the Diocese of Connecticut). He conducts lots of funerals, gives sermons that nobody listens to, and hears the confessions of the parish's compulsive penitent.<br /> <br /> He has a series of run-ins with the vestry, the laymen who govern the parish, about issues such as letting the youth group use the church for a rock concert and flying the American flag on the front lawn. Although he feels increasingly isolated and unhappy, he puts off taking any steps that would upset his father, who has had a stroke and is now in a nursing home.<br /> <br /> When his father dies, Tom conducts the funeral, a chore made even more unpleasant by the presence of his mother and Bishop Howard, who delivers the eulogy. Tom resents that the bishop, who beat out his father to become the new bishop, and his mother are having an affair.<br /> <br /> When Tom finally decides he has had enough, he resigns from his parish and goes to New York after Bishop Howard grants him a leave of absence "for theological study and reflection."<br /> <br /> In New York he learns about New Beginnings, a small agency that helps church people find secular jobs.
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Last Rites A Novel
Seller: True Oak Books, Highland, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. 5.5 X 0.5 X 8.75 inches; 287 pages; Very Good overall condition. No noteworthy defects. No markings.; - We're committed to your satisfaction. We offer free returns and respond promptly to all inquiries. Your item will be carefully wrapped in bubble wrap and securely boxed. All orders ship on the same or next business day. Buy with confidence. Seller Inventory # HVD-36320-A-0