The Diary of a Country Priest

De: Georges Bernanos

Narrado por: Kris Dyer

A beautiful spiritual masterpiece that shines a light on the true meaning of the divine in an uncontrollable world.

A young, shy, sickly priest is assigned to his first parish, a sleepy village in Northern France. Though his faith is devout, he finds nothing but indifference and mockery. The children laugh at his teachings, his parishioners are consumed by boredom, rumours are spread about him and he is tormented by stomach pains. Even his attempts to clarify his thoughts in a diary fail to deliver him from worldly concerns. Yet somehow, despite his suffering, he tries to find love for his fellow humans and even a state of grace.

The novel was awarded the Grand Prix for Literature by the Academie Francaise and was adapted into an acclaimed film by Robert Bresson in 1951.

Public Domain (P)2021 SNR Audio

A confusing, depressing ramble of a book

The author cannot help putting these tedious, artificial speeches into the protagonist's diary and his dialogues. (My own journals have plenty of tedious, artificial stuff in them, so there it's realistic even if unreadable, but the dialogues veer off into the absurd.) They are, I suppose, snapshots of thought from the French Church in freefall in the early 20th century, full of vague stuff about "the social problem" and "the poor" and caught in a bizarre sentimentality and set of social expectations that I cannot parse. Frequently I seem expected to understand why a character has responded in some inexplicable way without explanation.

All of that said, the book does not lack for poignant and sharp insights on the tedium, confusion, and hypocrisy of modern life and the attempt to be Christian in a world that believes it is leaving Christianity, and certainly sacramental, ritual Christianity behind. It is remarkable, from almost a century later, how much of this does not look the same now that the process of secularization has gotten so close to completion. The world really does not have any answers. The objections that seemed so damning to faith then often look ridiculous to me now. I myself have lived long enough to see this change to some extent.

It is good to revisit this and force myself to experience it again (particularly in Lent, I suppose). I had already started it when my new spiritual director suggested it. But I doubt I will ever pick up this book again in any format.

Beautiful to behold and ponder

A beautiful illustration of the winsomeness of a guileless, earnest, childlike country priest whose insights, poverty of spirit and holy simplicity were refreshing and edifying and transformative to those who encountered him, including the reader/listener, in my case. Hope to read again to further absorb and ponder this story of a humble, ordinary-yet-extraordinary embodiment of the Spirit of Christ in the life of a parish priest.

deep rich beautiful story of true grace

an exquisite story of a simple. humble man of whom I long to be like! so many insights into human character, true love of man , even the lowkiest, melded with the pity and great love of Christ.

Captivating!

I enjoyed this audiobook. I found it very captivating. It was both sad and funny. Loved the narration.

my favorite novel

The only thing more beautiful than the writing is its revelation-- grace is still present, still at work amidst suffering, indifference, and sickness. which means there can still be conversion and joy.

A "Bucket List" Book to Read

“The Diary of a Country Priest” The story of a young, poor, sickly priest at his first parish assignment and the parish is very poor. The book describes all of the people and their respective personalities, desires, fears, and skeptical outlooks on life. The book/diary is frank in the description of the people described by the priest throughout his parish. The young priest never seems to lose his faith in being a priest or God during the course of experiencing the many dire encounters. Recommend putting on your bucket list and reading. The translation, writing, and narration are excellent. Experienced as an AUDIO book.

Amazing

One of the best books I have ever read! (The audio was excellent.) With deep introspection and insight, psychological and spiritual, this was obviously written by an exceptional human being. I am delighted to have “met” this simple, devout, shy and insecure priest who was also kind, God fearing, most humble man who none the less left a great impression on those people who crossed his path. Thank you.

Spiritual Classic

It is a very nice book. I understand why some consider it to be a spiritual classic.

tedious

fears and doubts of a weak and rudderless soul. theology was sound but the story is not uplifting

Bad narration

Really did not like the narrator for this but audible would not let me return.