- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks (1 April 2010)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0340925280
- ISBN-13: 978-0340925287
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
381,669 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #83 in Books > Biography > Social & Health Issues > Sexual Abuse
Beyond Belief
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Product Description
Review
'I doubt you will read a more moving memoir this year than Beyond Belief...Parts of his beautifully written book will reduce the reader to tears, especially his description of his relationship with his father. It is this story - so typical of the dysfunctional communications some Irish fathers had with their sons a generation ago - that forms the other pillar upon which this valuable tome rests. His final paragraphs on forgiveness are pure poetry and deeply moving.' (Irish Times on Sunday )
'[This] is a crucial document in the charting of a dark period in our history. It is also a story of bravery and survival, of strength and resilience, and will serve as an inspiration to many readers. (Colm Toibin )
'This is the most important and moving story to come out of Ireland in many years. It shows how the gentle will inherit the earth.' (Anne Enright )
'One of the most inspiring and dignified voices heard in Ireland in recent times. He has triumphed over sexual abuse.' (Mary Robinson, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and former President of the Republic of Ireland. )
'...inspirational and moving.' (Sunday Independent )
'Few men have made such an extraordinary personal journey... I have interviewed several sufferers of systematic sexual abuse, but Colm, almost uniquely, doesn't come across as a victim. Nor is he self-conscious or bitter.' (Daily Telegraph )
'[This] compelling memoir is wonderfully well-written, brilliantly paced and will surely be made into a film...This is a book you simply have to read. It could change your life...It is the memoir of a man whose courage and timing ultimately made the difference. With this book, he continues that mission by rescuing the story of child sexual abuse from media fatigue to make it compelling, relevant and current once again.' (Sunday Tribune )
'...a riveting account of his own abuse and his battle with the Church -- and he's a very good writer, which helps. It seems certain to be a bestseller.' (Irish Independent )
'...a determined and fluent individual who has turned the trauma of his life into an extraordinary form of empowerment. O'Gorman transcends much of his terrible anger and brings some sense of resolution to what was, and is, a dark period in the story of modern Ireland.' (Irish Times )
'(Colm) is a charismatic man, his words tumbling with the speed and lyrical cadence so typical of the Irish, yet so polished, so wholly formed in thought, that the deeply felt passion of it packs the punch of an evangelical preacher.' (Scotland on Sunday )
'Beyond Belief is both shocking and inspirational, evoking the terrible loneliness of the abused child before channeling the adults frustration, anger and passion for the truth. Excellent.' (RTE Guide )
'Compelling and moving. He is a very rare and clearsighted person to whom we owe a great deal.' (Books Ireland )
'a chilling account of sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests... Colm went on to successfully uncover the past and change the future with the first Irish inquiry into clerical sexual abuse and sue the Roman Catholic Church - forcing it to admit failing to protect its children. *****' (Manly Daily )
'a powerful and moving story and Colm tells it so articulately in print and interview.' (ABC Radio, National Life Matters )
'[This] is a crucial document in the charting of a dark period in our history. It is also a story of bravery and survival, of strength and resilience, and will serve as an inspiration to many readers. (Colm Toibin )
'This is the most important and moving story to come out of Ireland in many years. It shows how the gentle will inherit the earth.' (Anne Enright )
'One of the most inspiring and dignified voices heard in Ireland in recent times. He has triumphed over sexual abuse.' (Mary Robinson, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and former President of the Republic of Ireland. )
'...inspirational and moving.' (Sunday Independent )
'Few men have made such an extraordinary personal journey... I have interviewed several sufferers of systematic sexual abuse, but Colm, almost uniquely, doesn't come across as a victim. Nor is he self-conscious or bitter.' (Daily Telegraph )
'[This] compelling memoir is wonderfully well-written, brilliantly paced and will surely be made into a film...This is a book you simply have to read. It could change your life...It is the memoir of a man whose courage and timing ultimately made the difference. With this book, he continues that mission by rescuing the story of child sexual abuse from media fatigue to make it compelling, relevant and current once again.' (Sunday Tribune )
'...a riveting account of his own abuse and his battle with the Church -- and he's a very good writer, which helps. It seems certain to be a bestseller.' (Irish Independent )
'...a determined and fluent individual who has turned the trauma of his life into an extraordinary form of empowerment. O'Gorman transcends much of his terrible anger and brings some sense of resolution to what was, and is, a dark period in the story of modern Ireland.' (Irish Times )
'(Colm) is a charismatic man, his words tumbling with the speed and lyrical cadence so typical of the Irish, yet so polished, so wholly formed in thought, that the deeply felt passion of it packs the punch of an evangelical preacher.' (Scotland on Sunday )
'Beyond Belief is both shocking and inspirational, evoking the terrible loneliness of the abused child before channeling the adults frustration, anger and passion for the truth. Excellent.' (RTE Guide )
'Compelling and moving. He is a very rare and clearsighted person to whom we owe a great deal.' (Books Ireland )
'a chilling account of sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests... Colm went on to successfully uncover the past and change the future with the first Irish inquiry into clerical sexual abuse and sue the Roman Catholic Church - forcing it to admit failing to protect its children. *****' (Manly Daily )
'a powerful and moving story and Colm tells it so articulately in print and interview.' (ABC Radio, National Life Matters )
Product Description
'I was living in a world where a priest who spoke the words of God used me for sex, and there was no-one to tell. The world where this horror happened didn't exist for anyone else.'
As a boy in Ireland where everyone - from among his own neighbours to the powers of church and state - chose to deny that a priest could sexually assault a child, Colm O'Gorman felt only shame, guilt and fear at the regular rape and abuse he suffered.
But Colm would go on to make history, successfully suing the Roman Catholic Church, asking questions of the Pope himself and creating a watershed in history as hundreds more victims found the courage to report their abuse.
Beyond Belief is a powerful story of a young man's shame turning to outrage, and demonstrates that - whatever our past hurts - there is hope for the future if we are prepared to stand for truth.
As a boy in Ireland where everyone - from among his own neighbours to the powers of church and state - chose to deny that a priest could sexually assault a child, Colm O'Gorman felt only shame, guilt and fear at the regular rape and abuse he suffered.
But Colm would go on to make history, successfully suing the Roman Catholic Church, asking questions of the Pope himself and creating a watershed in history as hundreds more victims found the courage to report their abuse.
Beyond Belief is a powerful story of a young man's shame turning to outrage, and demonstrates that - whatever our past hurts - there is hope for the future if we are prepared to stand for truth.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Challenging but above all Inspiring, hopeful and uplifting,
By Joan (Ireland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Beyond Belief: Abused by His Priest. Betrayed by His Church. The Story of the Boy Who Sued the Pope. (Hardcover)
A powerful read. I couldn't out this book down once I started reading it. It is compelling, emotive and so very inspirational. A must read.
From what could have been a horror story full of abuse and hurt, O'Gorman has written a powerful book full of hope and possibility. He challenges the reader to be all that they can be, to speak up and speak out - to change the world. His story made me believe I could, his life shows that we all can, if we chose to. His description of his relationship with his Dad speaks powerfully of love and the bond between a father and son which has the power to work through any difficulty. I was moved to tears and to above all hope as I read of their reconciliation and of the power of their mutual love and respect. You must read this book!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brave, Honest and a call to action,
By JR (Ireland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Beyond Belief: Abused by His Priest. Betrayed by His Church. The Story of the Boy Who Sued the Pope. (Hardcover)
While I knew much of the author's story because of media coverage, this book was a real revelation. By being very honest, and laying bare his own motivations and history, the author manages to show the corruption and lack of outrage that he faced when he went public with his story of abuse. He shows how so many people knew what was going on, but did nothing to stop it. He shows how the hierarchy of the church did little to deter priests who had previously been accused by other children.
In the end, he calls us to action, to bring the church to take responsibility for the devastation it has caused by it's own inaction. A must read. You won't believe it.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Couldn't put it down,
By Blackrose (Ireland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Beyond Belief: Abused by His Priest. Betrayed by His Church. The Story of the Boy Who Sued the Pope. (Hardcover)
I had reservations about reading this book as I normally don't enjoy reading accounts of abusive childhoods. While I understand the need for the authors to have their stories told, they usually make for uncomfortable reading leaving me feeling a little voyeuristic and even a little guilty. My reading time is meant as an escape from the daily drudge so the last thing I want to read is something that will bring me down. Nevertheless I read it on the recommendation of a like-minded friend and I am so glad I did.
The author starts by describing his early using the most wonderful imagery, bringing the sights, smells and tastes of his childhood alive but also very subtly expressing an innocence and naivety, not with him but by his family and community, that permitted sexual abusers to enter his life and fill it full of poison and despair. However the focus of the book is not on how society let him down and let this happen, this is a story about a man who wanted to change society so it would never happen again, and that is exactly what he did. This has to be the single most inspiring story I have ever read, yes it made me cry but it also made me laugh out loud. This not a depressing account of abuse and pain but an encouraging tale of bravery, of standing up to the Church, of refusing to be paid off and go away. It is a really easy book to read and I would certainly read anything else he writes as he has real talent for writing. He makes you feel like you are there every step of the way, never getting letting the story get too upsetting or in later stages too bogged down in legalities and court hearings. It's a fascinating tale that everyone should read and I couldn't recommend it more.
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