Seminary Boy

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, Denominations, Catholic, Catholicism, Biography & Memoir, Religious
Cover of the book Seminary Boy by John Cornwell, The Crown Publishing Group
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: John Cornwell ISBN: 9780385518536
Publisher: The Crown Publishing Group Publication: June 13, 2006
Imprint: Image Language: English
Author: John Cornwell
ISBN: 9780385518536
Publisher: The Crown Publishing Group
Publication: June 13, 2006
Imprint: Image
Language: English

John Cornwell evokes a vanished time and way of life in this moving and, at times, troubling memoir of an adolescence spent in the isolated all-male world of the seminary.

Born into a destitute family with a dominating Irish-Catholic mother and an absconding father during World War II in London, John Cornwell's childhood was deeply dysfunctional. When he was thirteen years old he was sent to Cotton College, a remote seminary for boys in the West Midlands countryside. For the next five years Cornwell lived under an austere monastic regime as he wrestled with his emotional and spiritual demons. In the hothouse atmosphere of the seminary he strove to find stable, loving friendships among his fellows and fatherly support from the priests, one of whom proved to be a sexual predator.

The wild countryside around the seminary, the moving power of church ritual and music, and a charismatic priest enabled him to persevere. But while normal teenagers were being swept up by the rock ā€™nā€™ roll era, Cornwell and his fellow seminarians continued to be emotionally and socially repressed. Secret romantic attachments between seminarians were not uncommon; on visits home they were overwhelmed by the powerful attractions of the emerging youth culture of the 1950s. But when they returned to Cotton College, the boys were once again governed by the age-old traditions and disciplines of seminary life. And like many young seminarians, Cornwell struggled with a natural adolescent rebelliousness, which in one crucial instance provoked a crisis that would eventually lead to his decision to abandon his dream of becoming a priest.

Written with tremendous warmth and humor, Seminary Boy is a truly unforgettable memoir and a penetrating glimpse into the hidden world of seminary life.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

John Cornwell evokes a vanished time and way of life in this moving and, at times, troubling memoir of an adolescence spent in the isolated all-male world of the seminary.

Born into a destitute family with a dominating Irish-Catholic mother and an absconding father during World War II in London, John Cornwell's childhood was deeply dysfunctional. When he was thirteen years old he was sent to Cotton College, a remote seminary for boys in the West Midlands countryside. For the next five years Cornwell lived under an austere monastic regime as he wrestled with his emotional and spiritual demons. In the hothouse atmosphere of the seminary he strove to find stable, loving friendships among his fellows and fatherly support from the priests, one of whom proved to be a sexual predator.

The wild countryside around the seminary, the moving power of church ritual and music, and a charismatic priest enabled him to persevere. But while normal teenagers were being swept up by the rock ā€™nā€™ roll era, Cornwell and his fellow seminarians continued to be emotionally and socially repressed. Secret romantic attachments between seminarians were not uncommon; on visits home they were overwhelmed by the powerful attractions of the emerging youth culture of the 1950s. But when they returned to Cotton College, the boys were once again governed by the age-old traditions and disciplines of seminary life. And like many young seminarians, Cornwell struggled with a natural adolescent rebelliousness, which in one crucial instance provoked a crisis that would eventually lead to his decision to abandon his dream of becoming a priest.

Written with tremendous warmth and humor, Seminary Boy is a truly unforgettable memoir and a penetrating glimpse into the hidden world of seminary life.

More books from The Crown Publishing Group

Cover of the book A Wreath of Snow by John Cornwell
Cover of the book Seeing the Unseen, Expanded Edition by John Cornwell
Cover of the book The Land of Promise by John Cornwell
Cover of the book A Tendering in the Storm by John Cornwell
Cover of the book Can You Keep Your Faith in College? by John Cornwell
Cover of the book Cut to the Chase by John Cornwell
Cover of the book Things Not Seen by John Cornwell
Cover of the book Come Along by John Cornwell
Cover of the book The Road to Daybreak by John Cornwell
Cover of the book The Questions of Jesus by John Cornwell
Cover of the book Living a Life of True Worship by John Cornwell
Cover of the book Reservations for Two by John Cornwell
Cover of the book Fatal Distractions by John Cornwell
Cover of the book Captive Set Free by John Cornwell
Cover of the book Blur by John Cornwell
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy