Trisha D. (lectio) reviewed on 6/17/2009 + 88 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 3

Set in Mexico during the 30's, at a time when the government was trying to suppress Catholicism by making it illegal to have anything to do with Catholic rituals, devotions, and teachings, this is a powerful story of a complex man - a priest who is fleeing for his life in order to escape being caught by the authorities and killed. We are aware from the beginning that he is a "whiskey priest" and as we get to know him better we learn that he is grappling with issues of faith, doubt, guilt and remorse over past mistakes. But he is also a man of deep compassion, willing to risk the consequences of being caught and executed for the things he does to try ministering to the needs of the poor peasants he meets along his perilous attempt to make it to the border. At the same time he himself is trying to preserve his own frail faith in the midst of overwhelming evidence that life is a grim and desperate struggle for survival. After reading the novel I understand why it's considered such a masterpiece. The portrait of the priest is a compelling one - he is flawed and broken in many ways, fearful, close to despair yet driven by the spark of conviction that remains alive inside him which keeps him human. He is a good example of the fact that so often there is more good in people than their own worst actions and behaviors. I can also understand why Graham Greene is considered to be such a good writer. I loved his use of metaphor and description. For example:
"Pride wavered in his voice like a plant with shallow roots"
"he held a small spot of brandy in his glass warily - as if it were an animal to which he gave shelter but not trust."
"The knoweldge of the world lay in her like the dark explicable spot in an x-ray."
"I don't know a thing about the mercy of God. I don't know how awful the human heart looks to him."

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