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The Bishop's Man Audiobook
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(3.00) - 2,734 listener ratings
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Something about the boat, perhaps its name, and the posture of that boy caused me to defer my anxieties for the moment. It was so rare to see someone that age stationary, somber. I was more accustomed to a rowdy adolescent enthusiasm. This young man, I realized, was exceptional only because of time and place. Maybe any one of them in those circumstances would have been the same. Quiet. But he caught my attention nevertheless and linked the moment to tender places in the memory. Doomed boys and men: in retrospect they all have that stillness. --from The Bishop’s Man by Linden MacIntyre The year is 1993 and Father Duncan MacAskill stands at a small Cape Breton fishing harbour a few miles from where he grew up. Enjoying the timeless sight of a father and son piloting a boat, Duncan takes a moment’s rest from his worries. But he does not yet know that his already strained faith is about to be tested by his interactions with a troubled boy, 18-year-old Danny MacKay. Known to fellow priests as the “Exorcist” because of his special role as clean-up man for the Bishop of Antigonish, Duncan has a talent for coolly reassigning deviant priests while ensuring minimal fuss from victims and their families. It has been a lonely vocation, but Duncan is generally satisfied that his work is a necessary defense of the church. All this changes when lawyers and a policeman snoop too close for the bishop’s comfort. Duncan is assigned a parish in the remote Cape Breton community of Creignish and told to wait it out. This is not the first time Duncan has been sent away for knowing too much: decades ago, the displeased bishop sent a more idealistic Duncan to Honduras for voicing suspicions about a revered priest. It was there that Duncan first tasted forbidden love, with the beautiful Jacinta. It was also there that he met the courageous Father Alfonso, who taught him more about spiritual devotion than he had ever known back home. But when an act of violence in Honduras shook Duncan to his core, he returned home a changed man, willing to quietly execute the bishop’s commands. Now, decades later in Cape Breton, Duncan claims to his concerned sister Effie that isolation is his preference. But when several women seek to befriend him, along with some long-estranged friends, Duncan is alternately tempted and unnerved by their attentions. Drink becomes his only solace. Attempting to distract himself with parish work, Duncan takes an interest in troubled young Danny, whose good-hearted father sells Duncan a boat he names The Jacinta. To Duncan’s alarm, he discovers that the boy once spent time with an errant priest who had been dispatched by Duncan himself to Port Hood. Duncan begins to ask questions, dreading the answers. When tragedy strikes, he knows that he must act. But will his actions be those of a good priest, or an all too flawed man? Winner of the 2009 Scotiabank Giller Prize, Linden MacIntyre’s searing The Bishop’s Man is an unforgettable and complex character study of a deeply conflicted man at the precipice of his life. Can we ever be certain of an individual’s guilt or innocence? Is violence ever justified? Can any act of contrition redeem our own complicity?
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"The Bishop's Man is a Fixer, the one sent by the Bishop to cover up scandal by sending offending priests away from their parishes. MacIntyre knows his territory, Cape Breton Island and the Nova Scotia mainland. The topic is timely and MacIntyre handles it well. The characters are strongly portrayed and the dialogue reveals themselves and the complexity of their relationships among each other and with the Bishop's Man. The harshness and the beauty of the physical surroundings and the effect on its people enriches the tale. Worthy of the Giller Prize, a book to be proud of."
— Anne (4 out of 5 stars)
The Bishop's Man Listener Reviews
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" I'm not always a fan of Giller prize winning books, but this one is definitely an exception. The subject matter is disturbing, but I certainly wanted to continue reading in order to find out who the guilty parties were. The story gives a lot of insight into the subject of Catholic priests and their abuse of power. My only regret is that I read Linden MacIntrye's latest book, Why Men Lie, before I read this one. Even though Why Men Lie is not a sequel, both books tell the story of the same family circle and I would have had a better sense of the characters' background if I'd read The Bishop's Man first. "
— Colleen, 2/12/2014 -
" This was a well-written book, I found it strange that in a book with so many priests as characters there is no conversation or thought about God! Lots about drinking, though! "
— Nancy, 2/9/2014 -
" Lyndon MacIntyre didn't quite make the transition from journalist to fiction writer with ease. His novel is compelling in the plot,but the character's didn't come to life for me. It was a mystery novel.The setting of MacIntyre's homeland of Cape Breton is lovingly described. The plot of the Catholic Church's deliberate cover up of sexual abuse is based on fact. Perhaps the story would have been better told in a factual manner.... "
— Marilee, 2/5/2014 -
" While I found the author's prose entertaining, his style of writing was a bit distracting. Jumping in time was necessary, however it could have been better developed. Definitely an award winning subject line. "
— Steve, 2/5/2014 -
" I started this book a few months ago. It did not hold my interest at all and the writing style I found hard to follow. "
— Lorie, 2/3/2014 -
" I delayed reading this book, in spite of good reviews, as I thought it would be overly narrative, based on the authors background as an investigative journalist and wasn't really thrilled when my book club chose it. However, I was totally engrossed, it is an excellent novel and the peeling away of the back story on the lead character/narrator is extremely compelling. "
— Peter, 1/25/2014 -
" It was amazing. Highly, highly recommend it. "
— Angela, 1/16/2014 -
" I started this book and left it in a local cafe where they gave it back to me a month later. So, in spite of it being about Catholicism which I have little patience for I figured I was suppose to read this book. It is very well written and I think with a movie in mind. The local characters are well portrayed and description of the Cape Breton ports was excellent. My one argument with this book is that the author stayed safely on the side of the Church when I think he should have gotten down and dirty considering the topic. It does explain the politics of the church but he let the clergy get off too easily. "
— Joyce, 1/15/2014 -
" Did not like this book. On the depressing side. Plot (?) seemed to go nowhere and ended unresolved. "
— Terry, 12/26/2013 -
" Enjoyed all the references to Cape Breton "
— Virginia, 12/17/2013 -
" Well-written, surprisingly interesting novel about solitude, intimacy, and all the stuff with the catholic church. "
— Prabhakartasha, 12/7/2013 -
" Enjoyed the book...but the ending left me want more of the loose ends tied up. "
— Lesley, 11/27/2013 -
" I thoroughly enjoyed MacIntyre's style. The novel takes place on the east coast of Canada and follows a young priest who is responsible for cleaning up the messes left by other priests. "
— Rachel, 11/26/2013 -
" Loved this book. Describes loneliness and a priest's life so well. A sad book but worth reading and well appreciated for the insights it gave me. And a story that is memorable. Will think about this one for a while yet. "
— Michelle, 11/23/2013 -
" It turned out different than what I had anticipated. However it has not changed my views on how the church has handled incidences of abuse "
— Joyce, 10/31/2013 -
" Loved it! 4.5 stars :-) "
— Tanya, 10/16/2013 -
" 4 1/2 stars - rounded up to 5. "
— Ellen, 5/26/2013 -
" A Roman Catholic priest who is a "fixer" for the church is sent to take over a parish in Cape Breton where his life begins to unravel. Not an easy read, but a very intelligent and moving story. "
— Judith, 1/11/2013 -
" The subject matter almost prevented me from picking up this book - who wants to read about such a depressing and disturbing topic? It turned out to be a great book; the story had many different layers that unfolded as a compelling mystery. Well deserved winner of the 2009 Giller Prize. "
— Shelley, 10/19/2012 -
" I have waited for this book to come out in paperback. I heard a fabulous review with Linden Macintyre on CBC. So far I can't put it down! "
— Hanna, 5/11/2012 -
" An interesting look at life in and the politics of the priesthood. Very well written; I couldn't put it down, so I didn't! "
— Marie, 1/12/2012
About Linden Macintyre
Linden MacIntyre is one of Canada s most distinguished broadcast journalists. The winner of nine Gemini Awards, he is the cohost of CBC Television’s The Fifth Estate, and has been involved in the production of documentaries and stories from all over the world. MacIntyre was born in St. Lawrence, Newfoundland, and grew up in Port Hastings, Cape Breton. He now lives in Toronto.
About Graham Rowat
Graham Rowat, an Earphones Award-winning narrator, is a television and theater actor who is best known for his stage performance in Dracula, Beauty and the Beast, and Mamma Mia.