I liked this book. But don’t stampede to the book store just yet. First take a peek at the scores this book got at our book club. I was the only one who recommended it, but not enthusiastically.
My reasons for liking the book are personal. First, although he might shush me for saying so, Bishop Gene Robinson is a hometown hero. His is a household name all over this country, and every day he bears the cross for disenfranchised God-fearing GLBT persons everywhere. Local fans need to be able to answer questions when visitors come calling. After Gene’s visit to CGM last October, I found that I did not know the man very well at all. This book tells you how a poor boy from Kentucky becomes a bishop; a pretty good story.
Second, although my parents provided me with a solid Catholic upbringing complete with Sunday school, they switched to the Episcopal faith at some point after I left home. I think that they were escaping a really uninspiring priest and found a new sanctuary, but I also think it was a happy accident, because they never looked back. I wanted to know more about their enthusiasm for the new faith without having to sing every verse to every hymn. (Our Catholic church was very efficient.) My mother once said “They do Catholic better than the Catholics.” I expected that I would get to know the church vis-a-vis this autobiography of Gene Robinson. Surprisingly, the opposite was true.
Indeed, Adams’ heart is in the Episcopal church itself. Don’t get me wrong; it is a splendid story worth telling. But the cover suggests an autobiography of Gene, and in this it fails. We barely get to know Mark or Boo, prominent figures who should flesh out our main character. We don’t get to know the opposition very well either. We see Fred Phelps and an appalling postcard—twice—but more intelligent and provocative (and hence, dangerous) discourse is missing.
The story is mostly chronological. The prologue opens with a personal recollection of an Episcopal confirmation service; that of Ms. Adams in the 1960s. (Gene’s young religious life is not Episcopal.) This sets the stage for how far the church will evolve over the next half-century. From there we follow Gene’s timeline from birth to just before the 2006 General Convention. Intermissions elaborate on church history. Overall the writing cries out for much more generous editing. Since the Anglican Communion’s response continues to make present-day news, the book is going to be out-of-date soon.
But if you are interested in the Episcopal church you might enjoy this book. You might find yourself ducking into a service to see what it’s all about. Its bottom-up structure provides the flexibility to evolve with the times. For example, instead of upper echelons appointing other upper echelons, congregations select among themselves representatives for fairly important decision-making, such as the election of bishops. Despite the controversy, Gene remains the bishop because the church-goers of New Hampshire wanted him, followed the proper procedures to get him, and remain in support of him.
That strikes me as the kind of church (not only) a mother would love. As for Gene, I’ll wait for his autobiography!