Once a Catholic

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

A highly nuanced spectrum of religious beliefs is covered in this collection of interviews with prominent persons, some of whom remain practicing Catholics. Among the 26 interviewees are designedly outrageous Jimmy Breslin (``Grammar and Religion''); insouciant Christopher Buckley, son of William (``God and Man at the Yale Club''), and caustic Judge Bruce Wright (``Catholic Justice''). This group that also includes novelist Mary Gordon, playwright Christopher Durang, rock star Frank Zappa, filmmaker Martin Scorsese and Penthouse publisher Bob Guccione delivers a medley of experiences, viewpoints, emotions and rationalizations that provide revealing, often amusing, insights into unorthodox folk who challenge with eclat the status quo of the Church. Occhiogrosso is a freelance writer. (September 10)

Library Journal

``As a corpse, you could be an ideal Catholic.'' ``I think envy's the greatest sin, personally.'' These statements by Robert Stone and Jimmy Breslin, respectively, are typical of the stimulating, funny, irritating, and moving opinions offered here. Altogether 26 interviewees share their attitudes toward the Church as authority, culture, mystery, and purveyor of an often-skewed sexuality. Most have profited from some aspect of their experience and have come to intellectually and emotionally satisfying personal positions vis-a-vis the Church. Refreshing and illuminating for Catholics, ex-Catholics, and non-Catholics alike. Nancy M. Laskowski, Free Lib. of Philadelphia