Sad I've finished it.

A fantastic listen. So many good parts it is difficult to pick the best bit.

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A wonderful journey

Beautifully written and read. If only the CofE had more priests like Richard we would have a far more vibrant and successful church. Brutally frank and honest and a wonderful example to all of us as imperials we are. Cant recommend this book too highly whether you are a Christian or of any other belief. Richard highlights the complex and near impossible differences in the church.

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Wonderful

A brilliantly candid autobiography and a very entertaining read. Although I don't know Rev Richard Coles this book makes me wish I did.

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Fantastic

What an honest, brave and sincere autobiography, he never wavers in scooping out his most difficult traits to present them to the listener, in a layer of humour.

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Intelligent, soothing, humorous, honest.

My guess is that many people who read this aren't religious. That says something about Richard's ability to reach beyond that topic about his very objective perspective on his own beliefs and how others might view them. I find his voice very soothing and I love that the humorous bits are presented in almost the same the same tone but still recognisable as being meant humurously. I see that some people think his voice is soporific, but to me, it's not sleep-inducing but just calming, clear and easy to follow. Richard is often self-depricating and self-aware; he finds a nice balance in that, because it just comes across insightful and realistic about himself, not as insecure or victim-y. He's not afraid to be honest about others either, but that also feels authentic and considered, not nasty or vengeful. Great mix of the juicy 'behind the scenes in the 80s' bits that people might be looking for, personal development, atmospheric descriptions, honesty, different worlds, a whole range of emotions and humour.

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Sincere, beautifully written

One of the most honest and impressive autobiographical works you could listen to. Coles reading adds to the pleasure and directness.

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Excellent & candid

Fascinating life and loved the honesty, dry humour and intellect with which it was presented

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Sad when it ended

A brilliant story. Great narration. Very honest and touching. So glad I chose this book

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BRILLIANT STORY - ENTERTAINING THROUGHOUT

Would you listen to Fathomless Riches again? Why?

As a young boy growing up in Belfast, I remember watching The Communards’ music video for Never Can Say Goodbye. In that video I was mesmerised by the keyboard player in the grey suit, rounded spectacles who sported flat top black hair miming the words ‘Never can say goodbye, boy!’ as he rolled his eyes. This man was Richard Coles, and much to the bewilderment of my parents I wanted the Red album for a Christmas stocking filler.
Years later, while I was studying for the priesthood myself I read an article in the Tablet Magazine that informed me that the said member of The Communards was himself in training for priesthood within the Anglican Church. For years I have always wanted to know how and why someone had the calling from pop to the pulpit.
I decided to listen to Fathomless Riches on audible, as I have been listening to Richard for many years on BBC Radio4, and I wanted to hear him tell the story rather than initially read it. At first, in his preface I found myself connecting with his understanding of Saint Paul and the joy that can be found in the liberating message of the Gospel, but I immediately was left wondering how most people would react to this preface and would it set the tone for the book. Within seconds I was listening to Richard tell a story about a naked man dancing around a car park one Christmas night with nothing but a tinsel wrapped around a certain part of his anatomy, and immediately I found myself laughing and I knew that Yes, this was a story I really wanted to hear.
As if sitting in room, beside a burning log fire with a dachshund on my lap, I was enthralled with the story of a normal Northampton boy who faced the struggles of his life and who took the chances when they came to form one of the biggest pop bands of the 80’s. Richard spared little to exercise the imagination; warts, bums and all were revealed. His honesty, firstly with this sexuality and sexual encounters gave insight in the struggles most gay men face, but also revealed his yearning for more. Secondly, there is a clear golden thread throughout the story that his life was ordained from the beginning to serve. Thirdly, he clearly has the natural gift of a story teller, who’s anecdotes are aptly chosen and refined to leave a lasting memory of who the real man behind the title of ‘rev’ is.
It’s always a privilege to journey with someone as they recount their lives, but often this is hard to experience within a book. Yet, having listened to the first part of his life story I can see that Richard has worked out many things in his life and struggled with many demons to come to the vocation and positon in life where he has been greatly blessed and finds that his soul has found the niche in God’s hand where he can dwell in safety.
So, having listened to this audible version of this book and written the promised review, I’m going to make myself a cuppa and begin listening to it again; if only to get a laugh from the Christmas Tinsel Man.
Thank you Richard – It’s a superb story and I really enjoyed it.

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22 people found this helpful

Fantastic book - brilliantly read by the author

I found this compelling, honest, hilarious, moving and thought provoking - couldn't stop listening and thinking about it between times. For anyone who loves Richard Coles, Jimmy Sommerville, Pride the movie and whose 'era' is the 80s - with a soundtrack to their lives including Small Town Boy and Don't Leave Me This Way - here is a book to evoke the past in all it's 'gory' and an outcome that could never have been predicted! Wonderful.

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1 person found this helpful