Exploring Dual Crises
Reviews are important. As an author, it means a lot when a reviewer grasps the intention and essence of a book. Like this review by Dr Nick Overduin of my first memoir, In My Gut, I Don’t Believe: ‘Extremely well written, delightfully articulate and a huge accomplishment in staying true to oneself. It deals with two crises. First, the enormous tensions in extricating himself from a sense of religious calling in Ireland. Second, the author needed to process complex family dynamics, especially with his mother, an uncle, two brothers and a father, and many formative relationships with friends and mentors.
‘The memoir’s accuracy and self-discipline profits from his journals. He looks back from the vantage point of age, more than thirty years after the events, without re-casting things in his own reconstructed terms.
‘Readers anywhere who struggle with the widespread demise of religion alongside the prevalence of dysfunctionality within family systems will be able to recognize their own souls in the mirror of this book. Ireland and the world come alive, doubt becomes vivid; and the reader experiences an awakening of their own heart.’
Struggles of a Young Man
Sometimes a reviewer brings out an aspect of a book that the author themselves hadn’t realised, like this review from former Irish Times journalist Kieran Fagan: ‘I didn’t intend to but I read this book in one sitting. It is the story of an idealistic young man who wanted to be a priest to serve God and his fellow man. He joined the Marist Order in Dublin. Nine years later he quit before ordination. The phrase searingly honest is overworked but it applies here.
‘Joe Armstrong’s vision was rooted in warmth and love but ran into the brick wall of celibacy. This is the story of a young man’s battle with himself and his superiors.
The Church could learn from these pages
‘Those who want to understand what is hindering the institutional church from getting back to teaching and preaching God’s love have much to learn in these pages. I couldn’t help feeling for the young men who signed up along with Joe Armstrong, and also for older hands who were trying hard to keep a leaky vessel afloat.
Reviewers Shed Light on Setting and Atmosphere
‘Of course we read for pleasure as well as enlightenment. Sitting at home by the fire I enjoyed being escorted around my native city and its suburbs as they were in the 1980s by an observant and literate companion.’
Reading that review made me appreciate that the book’s setting is Dublin and Ireland.
Dublin and Ireland
Tim O’Brien’s review in The Irish Times also spotted it. His important review opens: ‘In My Gut I Don’t Believe will stir emotional memories for a generation reared in Catholic households in the 1960s and 1970s. But it’s not only a story of emancipation from the darker days of theocratic Ireland. It is a coming-of-age memoir. Armstrong’s account of his time with the Marist Fathers is searingly graphic in dealing with his struggles for obedience, belief and chastity, perhaps on occasion too honest regarding chastity.’
Calls for a Second Memoir
It’s a thought-provoking observation about honesty. And I was naturally encouraged when Tim O’Brien ended his review with: ‘Volume 2, please.’
Other reviewers also called for a second memoir. It’ll be published on 7 November.
Impact of Prominent Figures
Professor A.C. Grayling wrote: ‘A fascinating, courageous and moving account of an individual leaving the trammels of religion for the good light of humanism – an educative story on many levels, well told.’
That review, from such a prominent figure, was affirming and helpful, even if the arc of my transition extends beyond the first memoir. Hence, my memoir series From Belief to Unbelief.
The Road to Self-Awareness
Reviews need to be measured, such as this one from Margaret McCann: ‘This is a painstaking and often painful account by the author of his journey to self-awareness through his experience of family and faith as an aspirant priest in a Dublin seminary in the 1980s. It affords the reader a rare and valuable insight into institutional religious life, it records details of an Irish society now faded into history and is an important story, earnestly, meticulously and bravely told.’
Early reviews are important, such as this one, from Dara Molloy: ‘An honest, brave and self-effacing account of the author’s struggle to find himself. His entanglement with religious thought structures and his institutionalisation within the Marist Fathers illustrate the struggle we must all go through if we are to be truly free.’
Reviewers Connect with the Narrative's Power
Dr Teresa Graham wrote: ‘This is a searing, no-holds-barred exposé of the author’s struggle to exit his training for the priesthood and the Catholic Church. It is honest and real and harrowing at times, but rewarding in the absolute authenticity of the story. I got involved to the extent that I was shouting at the author to get out before they destroyed him, and that testifies to the power of the narrative.’
Voices of Encouragement
Tony O’Donohoe wrote: ‘Set in an era when priests were viewed by most Irish people as something more than mere mortals, the author reveals himself struggling with the same natural urges, doubts and indecisiveness as most young men do, while being shackled by a vow of celibacy and guilt. His account of an incredibly complex upbringing and relationship with his mother is tackled with a bravery and honesty that I can only describe as stunning.’
Traversing Faith, Family, and Freedom
At its launch, Eamon Murphy described my first memoir as ‘an answer to a secular prayer’, adding: ‘I’ve read few autobiographical works that examine family relationships, internal thought processes or human urges with the honesty displayed here. It makes for compelling reading.’ To read Eamon Murphy’s full review, click here.
Engaging with the Memoir's Raw Emotions
Dr Eamon Maher described it as ‘absorbing’, saying the ‘desire to be totally honest is at the core of this book’. And Dave McCarthy wrote: ‘He has opened up his soul to the world.’
Apologies if you posted a review and I haven’t mentioned it here. Thank you for taking the time to write it.
Call to Action: Write a Review
If you have read my memoirs, or intend to do so, please consider uploading a review to Amazon or Goodreads.com.