Souvenirs of Solitude (by Brennan Manning)

(Amazon UK link)

I have appreciated and savoured the books I have read by Brennan Manning. He was a deeply flawed and somewhat outspoken Catholic priest whose books were honest, moving and - at times - controversial. So when I saw his book ‘Souvenirs of Solitude’ available for download free for the Kindle, I took advantage immediately. 

That was eleven and a half years ago. Books on my Kindle often stay there, unread, for many years until I happen to be travelling and scroll through to find something I want to read.

I started reading ‘Souvenirs of Solitude’ while I was away in the Summer, and then forgot I was reading it until I had another week away early in December. I picked it up again and found it so engrossing that I finished it at last, reading just a chapter or so each day. 

There’s so much to think about in this book. It’s perhaps a bit random, consisting as it does of articles written by Brennan Manning when he was alone, with time to pray and ponder and realise, once again, who he was, and what was important. As he wrote, he discovered more about himself and his faith.

The main theme of the book is the need to spend time with God, to be alone to pray and listen and accept oneself as a beloved child of the Father.  A lot of the book involves the idea of being ‘enough’ - with no way to earn more favour, no need to compete with anyone else. I was challenged several times to let go of my own inhibitions, defence mechanisms, or need to argue a point of view.

I am God’s child, so is everyone around me. We’re all at different stages, and nobody should judge or condemn anyone else. The church, too often, has introduced rules and regulations that turn people away, or - at the other extreme - has tried much too hard to use evangelistic methods and techniques, which are often more harmful than helpful. My role, I am reminded, is to listen, to follow, to accept, to love. It’s not my job to change anyone’s opinions or behaviours, or to judge them for what they do or say.

It’s a book I want to re-read regularly, so I hope I’ll be able to find a copy of it in paperback form to dip into, rather than the more clinical Kindle version; on the other hand I’m immensely grateful for having had the chance to download it free albeit surprised that it took me so long to read it.

I’m not sure exactly why Brennan Manning’s writing appeals to me so much, but I find his style very readable, his comments and suggestions highly motivating, and his anecdotes moving even when they relate events or situations which feel entirely foreign.  There are some inevitable sports references, or mentions of something only relevant in the United States, but even those don’t detract from the overall book.

Very highly recommended, although it no longer seems to be available for the Kindle.

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