Grace: A Memoir

I thoroughly enjoyed Grace by Mary Cartledgehayes. It was recommended by Jill Connor Brown, the Sweet Potato Queen herself so I had to buy it. It is a true look at the life of a spiritual woman who is VERY human. Cartledgehayes shares her life story and I feel I know her as a friend. She deals with major changes in her life such as divorce, remarriage, step-parenting and seminary studies with dignity and grace. She never attempts to fit the image of what a minister "should" be but puts her own stamp on everything she touches. Read this if you are a spiritual person looking to connect with other people of faith or if you are on your own faith journey.

This book gives us a glimpse about what it means to be a minister in a church. Too often people think it's a Sunday only job. This author shows that no matter how hard you try, you find yourself personally engaged with your congregation, and you suffer along with them--their losses, etc. This book to me seemed similar to Nora Gallagher's book on parish life which was published a couple of years ago. It's generally speaking an easy read, although wrenching at times, because of the struggles the author confronts. Yet I feel it's honest and well worth the time to read.

The book is irresistible in its portrayal of a real human being who writes and lives "full throttle." Funny, sad, honest, and hopeful, it is revealing and educational in its portrayal of the challenges of becoming and being a minister while being a mere human-- a gifted human, at that. The author has a unique and compelling writing style and she dares to say what most of us would keep to ourselves. I will forever see pianos (and life) differently because of the way she weaves her piano imagery through her juicy real life stories like a graceful background melody that crescendos at critical moments. This woman's story is inspiring and her voice is strong and clear. I look forward to reading anything she publishes.

I lost two nights of beauty sleep because I was up late reading Mary Jo Cartledgehayes's "Grace." In fact, because I was laughing too much and too loud, my husband kicked me out of our bed. This book is delightfully honest and honestly delightful. Parts are outrageous! One of my favorite passages is on page 243. Mary Jo -- who's 48 and happily married -- admits her infatuation with her piano teacher who's in his 20's. She tells in direct language what she would do if Brian were 20 years younger and willing.I think both men and women would enjoy Mary Jo's outrageousness.

When asked for a cover blurb on 'Grace' by the publisher, I responded, "Why would you want comments on a what looks like a "chick book" from a throw-back, Neanderthal. It's not my kind of book. The title's a cliché and I hate touchy, feely, religious books that are long on emotion and short on experience and logic." Their response, "You may be surprised. We're trying to define the market. If you don't hate it, other more enlightened and thoughtful males may like it."And surprised I was--so much for my biases. When I began reading I couldn't put it down. The writer is both real and realistic. Her use of the English language is poetic and beautiful. In an era of banal memoir bombardment, her story is interesting, compelling, thought provoking, challenging and will touch a cord with in most of us--male and female alike. What she says may make us uncomfortable at times, but will also force us to think and assess our own views. One is compelled to keep turning pages to experience the beauty of her writing, as well as discover her reality-based approach to the challenges, traumas and disillusionments of life. In the process she provides a mirror in which many of us will see our own reflection.