The Abbey: A Story Of Discovery - Tapa dura

With wit and wisdom and elegant prose, Martin has written a powerfully moving novel about (among other things) how an unbeliever can journey from suffering into spiritual practice. How it happens in an eyeblink. Another triumph from one of our best scribblers working like a master in a new form.--Mary Karr, author of "Lit"

A sheer delight--funny, engaging, deep and moving. --Ron Hansen, author of "Mariette in Ecstasy""

More than a vivid portrait of a grieving mother; this tender novel shows us how, with simple words and acts, we ordinary, flawed human beings can help each other find our way to God. --Kathleen Norris, author of "The Cloister Walk""

Touching, funny and beautiful. A top pick! --"RT Book Reviews""

Compassionate, engaging with tender wit and wisdom, Martin offers an in-depth glimpse into committed religious life and how lay people can practice a devout faith amid doubt, anger and questioning. --Shelf Awareness"

A sheer delightfunny, engaging, deep and moving. --Ron Hansen, author of "Mariette in Ecstasy""

[A] warmly comforting tale...[Father Martin s] real strength is his pastoral sensibility-his compassion shines through the character of Father Paul. Like his fellow Jesuit Pope Francis, Martin is a persuasive evangelizer for a God, and church, of mercy. --"Publishers Weekly""

Martin s debut novel might be compared to Paulo Coehlo s popular fiction Martin s great achievement here is that the shows how [his characters are] able to have a mystical experience of God as a result of imaginative contemplation, and he succeeds in making it seem entirely natural. --The Tablet"

Father Martin s richly written tale gives us insight into the workings of a modern monastery and shows how God uses our worries, anger and doubts to help bring us to Him. --"Simple Grace" Magazine"

Martin brings his characteristic ease of personality into both the characters and the prose, quickly bringing readers comfortably into the story. He handles the most delicate and painful themes with a pastoral compassion that invites readers to find hope in their own struggles. --The Huffington Post"