I really enjoyed this quiet, contemplative memoir. It is written by Brother Paul Quentin, a monk living in Kentucky.

I have always been fascinated by individuals who devote their whole life to religion. Brother Paul invites the reader into the everyday life in a monastery and reflects on the six decades he spent there as a monk.

The writing style is warm, funny and engaging. To give you a sense of the playful humour, there is a section in the book where the author talks about how excited he gets when his close friends pass away as they are now in a spiritual union with God. Another example is when the author reflects on when he was a newly minted monk. He grew Elvis sideburns to set himself apart from the other monks. Thankfully he didn't keep it for very long!

My favourite part of the book is the chapter on the love the author has for Emily Dickinson. He calls her his soul sister because he finds her life to be very similar to living in a monastery. She lived in solitude and enjoyed meditating on her spiritually and nature.

One thing I will say is that this is quite a short book. I wish it was longer so that the author could have delved deeper into the topics he is talking about.

I received a free copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was not what I expected. But it was non the less a great read. The book begins with 8 ‘praises’ or plugs for this volume. Of the eight I have only read books by one of them and had not even heard of most. Most have written books about Thomas Merton, or monasticism in general. Quenon recounts many encounters with Merton in this book, but it is not a book about Merton. It is about the author and his own life as a monk. Paul recalls that:

“A day after our encounter, he told me I was narcissistic. That was a heck of a big word for me, and he proceeded to recount the myth of Narcissus—a young man who resisted relationships with others but fell in love with his own image in a pond. He said I was always looking at myself; I wanted to be spiritually beautiful. I was looking at myself in choir, in prayer, and that accounted for the “chafing sensation” that I complained about. I was too turned inward on myself and consequently felt sour and cramped within. He said that was narcissism and added that most young men are narcissistic. His general remedy was to live the life here at the monastery, stop looking at myself, and forget myself. T hat counsel remains until today a code of my monastic life.”

The stories in this volume span decades. Some told reflecting back with fondness. Some looking back and realizing that the events remembered are not always the same as the events experienced.

There was a time when I idolized Merton, Gethsemani, and monasticism in general. If that had not passed, this book would have helped it do so. Paul does a wonderful job of presenting a realistic look in the window at life in the monastery. The book is humbly written. It has stories that are poignant, penetrating, and at time passionate. It is a book that can be consumed in a long afternoon in a deck chair or savoured over many days.

I read this book over a week on my lunch breaks. I had the privileged of meeting Paul many years ago when I was an undergraduate university student. The book was an interesting read. After reading this volume I have a keen interest to track down other volumes by Paul. I can say I enjoyed this book more than some of the Merton’s works I have read. And I believe the writing is better. But Paul does not have the cult of personality that Merton, his former director of novices, had. And as such his work sit more to the outside. But those of us who discover them find a little gem we will treasure and share with those we know. I think this book would make for an excellent book club read.

An intriguing life, for a monk who left the world, only to find himself back in it and engaged in many new ways. And I believe the book will help us look at our own past, our encounters, or lives in a new and fresh way.

Thank youNetgalley for this ARC.

I gravitate towards books that can teach me a different way of living and new perspectives on life. This memoir of a monks life provided all these things in an enjoyable, interesting way.

A beautiful,thoughtful book about the life lived by the author in a monastery. Filled with some whimsy, some humour and much thoughtfulness and insight, the book shares great meaning about the values of simplicity,quiet and introspection. I enjoyed it very much. Recommended.
My thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review.

Written by a monk who has spent most of his adult life in a monastery, this is an illuminating exploration of what the monastic life is all about and in which the author examines the complexities and realities of living a life dedicated to God. He looks back on a lifetime in a closed world but one which is nonetheless open to outsiders who often find solace and comfort there. He reflects on the importance of silence and thought in a noise and busy world and refutes that his could be in any way considered a “useless” life. I found the book reasonably interesting but as an atheist I remain perplexed by a life spent in such a way.

Man’s unhappiness springs from one thing alone, his incapacity to stay quietly in one room’. This is a beautiful set of reflections by about a monk’s life. Quenon writes about the importance of solitude, how to pray, how to find rest in God and spiritual growth. It is not all deadly serious, though. There is plenty of charm and humour. I especially liked his battle with a certain little bird which disturbed his sleep.

Quenon also shares many anecdotes about his mentor Thomas Merton and how Merton helped him. He also gives details about Thomas Merton’s life and thoughts.

I received this free ebook from Net Galley in return for an honest review.

In a culture so obsessed with DOING rather than BEING, "In Praise of a Useless Life" calls us back to being human beings, rather than human doings. Drawing upon his life of reflection and prayer, Br. Paul Quenon, O.C.S.O waves amusing anecdotes with deep spiritual wisdom. Not a heavy text, but a deep one.

In Praise Of The Useless Life is an exposition on what life in a monastery is like from the eyes of a monk who has spent decades in the "system". The book details the benefits of such style of living and what it can contribute to the society.

WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT?
Anyone who wants to know how monks live and the atmosphere and politics around Trappist monasteries would like this. Fans of Thomas Merton would learn a thing or two about him from someone (the author) who was a student to him decades ago.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
Learning about the practical realities of dedicating your life to God behind the walls of a monastery was most illuminating. The advice in the book seems practical and it shows how to make the most of such a life and why it is a high vocation to pursue for those inclined. Those of us not sworn to such high calling can also learn a thing or two about the value of silence, prayers, music, humour, etc from the wisdom contained in this book.

MEMORABLE PASSAGE

"Life, fully lived, expresses some kind of creativity. Some lives are written with beautiful penmanship, with well-honed skill expressing more than mere literal meaning, communicating the unique person as individually as a signature does. For other people, life is lived in a hurry-up state; it gets cut-and-pasted. Could there be creativity in tearing along and getting through it all anyhow? Will God smile at the fancy dance and see how cleverly we came through the scramble without losing the thread of meaning?"


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In Praise Of The Useless Life: A Monk's Memoir by Paul Quenon, O.C.S.O. is available to buy on all major online bookstores. Many thanks to Ave Maria Press for review copy.

This is a look at a monks life. I found it intriguing.

This is a wonderful journey with Paul Quenon through his life as a Trappist monk and the many lessons he has learned and come to understand in his life at Gethsemeni. I was born and raised a Catholic in Ireland but have entirely lapsed- it was a real pleasure to see how Quenon has built a quiet, rich life of study, faith and doubt into something that sounds so rewarding, peaceful and warm. Accepting poverty and stepping into the four walls of a new life, he tells stories from his long years as a monk, his commitment to music, poetry and nature, as well as his relationship with Thomas Merton. I really loved this- as a person who has no engagement with organised religion, there was something very positive and beautiful about Quenon's version of faith and how it looks outward to the rest of the world, past the books.

One does not connect clergy and humor but this book does just that. A very candid view of life as a priest.

This calm, beautifully written book meanders through the author's life as a monk, his memories of fellow monastics, his life of prayer and stories of his anything but useless life. I loved the book so much I read it straight through but I will be leaving it on my bedside table as an easy to reach resource of wisdom and love and as a constant reminder to wonder at this one beautiful life we all share. Treat yourself to this book I urge you!