"What gives you spiritual sustenance?" was the question put to the contributors in this remarkable book. Those asked represent a broad spectrum of Irish life and include writers, teachers, religious, politicians and performers, people who are already known to the public in different ways. The emotional register of their response is deep and diverse, with some writing about music, the visual arts, the natural world, while others testify to their struggle for spiritual fulfilment. For some sustenance is in the written word, ranging from Sartre to Solomon, from the Hail Mary to John Steinbeck. The breadth of responses is large, from anger and stoicism to acceptance and joy. Sources is a memorable collection of letters on the nature of spirituality and its relevance for the indivudual, and will be an invaluable resource. Dipping into its pages you will find persuasive evidence of the human need for something beyond the routine and materialism of everyday life, a need for some sort of spiritual sustenance, especially at times of crisis. Unifying the diversity of response in Sources is the authenticity of each of the contributions.
Whether about an unshaken belief in orthodox religion, new perspectives on traditional beliefs or hard-won individual credos, honesty, commitment and passion shine through.