Tongues of Angels: A Novel

By Julia Park

This edition is out of print.A Catholic priest with questions. A penitent woman with a secret past. A jealous friend. The fourth in this lover's knot? God. Father Rob Souza faces the forbidden desire... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595278205
• ISBN13: 9780595278206
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc.
• Length: 222 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.6" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

a new perspective entirely

Julia Park has crafted a brilliant sort of 'backstage' novel of the catholic church; its people, its politics, the struggles of a priest who is simply human and feels love for women, the anguish and immense satisfaction. I so appreciated that it didn't take the tired old road of superficiality, but had such interesting dimensions in story and character. I was spellbound through this immensely enjoyable read. Julia is a writer's writer. A poet's craft of language enables you depths of emotional experience in this priest's journey. I can imagine Catholics and non Catholics enjoying this novel with equal fervor. I'm an avid reader and rate it right up there with the greats!

Enlightening read!

Julia Park's debut novel Tongues of Angels is an intriguing novel that will touch people of all faiths, because Park's novel weaves a beautiful story that discusses a fundamental human question in a spiritual but not moralizing or judgmental fashion. Park graciously tackles the sensitive issue of love, faith, and mostly celibacy within the priesthood of the Catholic Church. We are taken on a journey through the eyes and life of the main character Father Rob Souza, who is a devoted priest, and still a human being. Father Souza has yearnings for personal human companionship, and questions his faith as he deeply contemplates Catholic doctrine. Father Souza and his support group of priest friends break bread together and help guide and support each other with the natural trials, tribulations of their chosen occupation. The female protagonist, Jessica who is one of Father Souza's students in his yearly Catholic conversion class becomes a profound influence on Father Souza's life, as their friendship allows Father Souza to quell her demons, and in return Jessica's friendship leads Father Souza to a higher level self-actualization.The novel paints us a very interesting picture the lives of of a group of priests who meet regularly as a support group. All of these men are normal devoted leaders of their people. However behind the garb of the clergy they are men as well. Park writes her characters with a strong voice that is consistent throughout the novel. Ultimately, these priests are good people, struggling with life choices, solitude and sometimes guilt. This heartrending novel, written skillfully with a lot of unbiased depth, and a touch of humor is a marvelous read.

Insider's view hits mark!

Julia Park has captured something unique in her first novel-an insider's view of the Catholic Church through the eyes of two quite different participants: Jessica, a young woman seeking relief from a painful past, and Rob, the priest in the parish she decides to join. Through Jessica, Park's vivid prose brings the appeal and mystery of Catholic ritual to life. Starting from a guarded, wounded place, Jessica slowly finds the safety to pour out her sense of unworthiness and move outside of herself. Of course, nothing is quite this simple in truth or fiction, and Jessica's spiritual path and attraction to the priest gradually intertwine. In fact, it's hard sometimes to tell where the vivid sensual description of the two lead characters' religious lives lets off and that of the physical attraction begins. In fiction, this makes for good reading. On a parallel path, we get a behind-the-scenes look at Rob and his family of priests: an often less-than-inspiring view for anyone looking for priests with elevated natures. There's a heavy dose of sexual innuendo, gossip, sometimes with dire consequences, and banter about physical attractions, both gay and straight. We hear the conflict firsthand, from Rob and his fellow priests, about The Big Choice, celibacy, making the reader question again why this choice is necessary. But if they can't have sex, at least they can sublimate their frustrations via racy verbal repartee - and thanks to Park's convincing dialog, they do so with gusto. For the reader, listening in provides a voyeuristic counterpoint to the more sober and mostly internal struggles of Jessica and Rob. Given all that we've heard lately about celibacy, the priesthood and sexual abuse, Park offers a gentler and more thoughtful glimpse at how celibacy is managed - or not - from within. One feels for these priests: faced with both a calling and their natural share of hormones, the decision must be both excruciating and never quite over. And in the end, Father Rob may have picked the best choice available.

A Rare Look Inside the Catholic Church

I'm very particular about my "beach reads." To play it safe I usually stick with the summer reading lists published by the local papers. Even then if a book can't grab me in the first three pages I probably won't stick around to read the rest. I found Julia Park's "Tongues of Angels," to be an exception to my rule for couple of reasons. One was the plot line, which involves a priest who's torn between his love for the Catholic Church and his earthly passion for a lovely neophyte named Jessica who is converting to Catholicism. (Parks knows whereof she speaks- she wound up married to a Roman Catholic Priest who left the church.) The second was the plot's backdrop, which offers a peek behind the Catholic curtain of ritual and formality. Throw in some priestly extras who love to drink, gossip and occasionally cruise the gay bars and you have a good juicy tale. Park's book was so good that I never peeked ahead (which I almost always do with light reads.) If you're ready to take a risk on a relative unknown and want an insider's view of the Roman Catholic Church, this is a great pick.

Tongue Tied

Why's a nice Jewish boy like me reading a book like this? About priestly indiscretions and indiscreet priests? Doesn't matter. Because the subject matter is interesting and juicy no matter what your background - it's about the human condition - pious or otherwise - something to which most of us humans can relate. And the writing is stellar (like the publishing company), beautifully evocative, painfully real, hauntingly descriptive. Just try to fall asleep after reading about the baby moles, I dare you!Clearly Julia Park understands her subjects, from the wounded woman (a frightened rabbit) to the good priest with a closet libido, to the unabashedly gay, bar hopping composer-cum-priest -you get the sense that they all exist in our very own neighborhoods and that she has been inside each of their heads at one time or another. But even if the story doesn't float your boat, the writing will. A great first effort that should allow Ms. Park to shed the "scarlet letter," of an "aspiring" novelist.