From Library Journal
Like Ragman and Other Cries of Faith, The Orphean Passages grew out of Wangerin's experience as an inner-city pastor but is stylistically more ambitious. Using Orpheus as a metaphor for Christian "faithing" (made a verb to stress doing over intellection), Wangerin elucidates various faith "passages" through the story of Reverend Orpheus, a young white pastor in a ghetto parish. Orpheus journeys from blissful first faith through "death and mourning" (loss of faith) and "mortification" (modern-day asceticism and good works); renewed conviction; sin (inflated pride), guilt, and dying (to self) both as expiation and share in Christ's passion; and finally achieves an unexpected resurrection. While some may find use of the Greek myth unnecessary, few readers will fail to respond to Wangerin's passionate concern. Anneliese Schwarzer, formerly with "Library Journal"Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
This moving allegory of the Christian life is one of the best Christian fantasies to be found anywhere. (A sequel to the award-winning "The Book of the Dun Cow".)


From the Author
Walter Wangerin Jr. first came to prominence as the award-winning author of The Book of the Dun Cow. He has since won many other awards and honors for his books, including the best-selling Book of God. Wangerin holds the Jochum Chair at Valparaiso University in Indiana, where he is writer-in-residence


From the Back Cover
A remarkable weaving of faith, myth, and humanity from award-winning novelist Walter Wangerin Jr. Faith, writes Walter Wangerin, is "a relationship with the living God enacted in this world." It is ever-changing and inherently dramatic. The Orphean Passages is Wangerin's compelling story of a Christian pastor's career and the drama of his faith. Interlaced with the classical myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, this daring and unconventional inquiry into Christian experience ranks among the most challenging of Wangerin's works. Wangerin sees in the ancient myth an extraordinary parallel of the twists and turns individuals follow in their journeys of faith. In the author's own present-day Reverend Orpheus, that parallel is vividly played out -- rendering the modern story of one man both universal and timeless. The Orphean Passages asserts the truth of a legend that people of all times have experienced. It has the immediacy of a well-wrought novel, driving readers on to the surprising yet inevitable conclusion.


About the Author
Walter Wangerin Jr. is widely recognized as one of the most gifted writers writing today on the issues of faith and spirituality. Among his books are The Book of God; Paul: A Novel; Whole Prayer; Reliving the Passion; Preparing for Jesus; Mary’s First Christmas; Peter’s First Easter; Ragman and Other Cries of Faith; Miz Lil and the Chronicles of Grace; Little Lamb, Who Made Thee? Mourning Into Dancing; The Book of Sorrows; A Miniature Cathedral; The Orphean Passages; and Crying for a Vision. He lives in Valparaiso, Indiana, where he is writer-in-residence at Valparaiso University and holds the Jochum Chair.

FROM THE PUBLISHER