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Does My Soul Look Big In This?

Reviewed by Richard Dormandy.

Rosemary Lain Priestley is a priest, writer, and speaker. She has been a regular contributor to the BBC's Thought for the Day and much of her ministry focuses on the development of female clergy.

This is a very enjoyable, quite thought-provoking, satisfying book to read. It's not ground breaking, but it's very nicely written, well paced, tidy but lively, not too long, with a consistent current of good humour. It is primarily aimed at people at a hinge of life, and the expected perspective of the reader seems to be that of the author: somewhere in that vast expanse called ‘middle age’. However, far from being a tedious, tired or traumatic period, Rosemary Lain-Priestley sees it as a place of evaluation and opportunity. She asks: "What do I really want to do with the rest of my life?"

The basic idea of this book is care for the soul, and what we need to attend to if we are going to manage this necessary task. Thus the author takes us through "the in-crowd”, "home", "the bigger picture", "happiness", "depression", "occupation", "religion" – to name but a few topics, though of course they have much funkier chapter headings. Does my soul look big in this is all about noticing areas in which we must give the soul breathing space if it is to continue growing. "If we feed... the life force that fuses our inner and outer worlds... it will grow. Our soul will look big in everything because it is free, expansive, lively, generous, at ease with itself and poised for what comes next" (p.114).

The author is herself a priest, currently choosing to focus much of her time on her family. Her perspective is not academic, but personal and pastoral. She shares thoughts, connections, feelings, in ways you can readily relate to. She uses an inclusive "we" and frequently talks about her friends, but, as you might expect from a "Thought for the Day" speaker, she draws on examples and illustrations from a wide range of sources. Her style is chatty, but not superficial. The book leaves you feeling that you've just had a cup of tea, some slowly eaten moist cake, and a very worthwhile conversation.

Great as a holiday read, excellent as a gift, possibly as a lent or retreat book.