A Place of Healing for the Soul: Patmos

Rating:
Summary: Unsatisfied on Patmos
Review: About five years ago I read a book called Hermits by Peter France and I was delighted with it, so I was expecting a lot from this book. Unfortunately, my expectations were frustrated. The author writes about the charm and grace of the people of Patmos, about the beauty of the island, and about the deeply mystical dimension of the Orthodox Church. Yet I was left with the feeling that his underlying intention was to show how peculiar and backward the people are, how the island is selling its soul to mass tourism, and how the church is run by sacramental materialists.

There are a few good passages where he shows the love many Patmians have for their island, but such passages are few and far between.

In this book Peter France makes a few incursions into such areas as theology and ethics. He would have done better to steer clear of these, because his preparation is clearly not adequate to the task. His attempts to compare Orthodoxy to the Western Churches, especially at the level of theological argument, are probably ill-considered.

Rating:
Summary: If a statement is true, it's a coincidence.
Review: Peter France has shown a total lack of respect for factual accuracy as well as for the Greek people in his book about Patmos. He has apparently spent no time checking any of his facts, and one wonders if he has actually been to Greece at all. His lack of respect for the Greek people is typical of the British traveler, and his lack of respect for truth is perhaps typical of the British journalist (perhaps of most journalists today). But one might expect the publisher to show some principles. Mr. France can't even get the difference between ouzo and tsipouro clear, let alone the origin of the phalanx. He presents the Greek people as if they had just emerged from the Stone Age, when in fact, this is a culture which was enjoying epic poetry, lyrical poetry, and narrative fiction while his ancestors were still shivering in caves. Perhaps Mr. France should stick to his own cave, religion, where no factual accuracy is required.

Rating:
Summary: Love for Patmos
Review: We met Peter France on Patmos and read several of his books. Having retired here, we know the people, places and religious
experiences he wrote about. Without being pedantic, he wrote about his baptism to Greek Orthodoxy after years of study and introspection. We were impressed by the meticulous attention he's given to the smallest details and nuances of life
on Patmos. We chuckled as he described some individuals with his
unique wry humor, and quietly reflected upon many of his more serious, thought-provoking comments. In a very relaxed manner he
has you focus on many meaningful aspects and some amusing incidents one experiences while being on this tiny, remote island. I would venture to say that he has broadened and deepend our appreciation of this place we now call "home".
As to the reviews offered by Mr. Ashley Black and Mr. Aleko:
"Gentlemen, I believe we have not read the same book, nor can
I believe you've ever lived on Patmos".
After reading "A Place Of Healing For The Soul: Patmos" you will
find that one is both entertained and stimulated to think more
about one's every-day life. You may even develope an "itch" to
visit this place. Thank you, Peter, for this lovely book.