Description
'The problem with Rhidian's Thoughts is how often I find myself agreeing with him. Most annoying!' John Humphrys Why bother with God? Do you know what matters in life? What are the limits of kindness? Why doesn't God intervene? What are you worth? For twenty years, bestselling novelist Rhidian Brook has pondered such questions on Radio 4's Thought for the Day, encouraging, nudging, sometimes provoking millions into thinking about the possibility of a God who is intimately and cosmically involved in the human story. Over 100 of his Thoughts are presented here, forming a kind of alternative history of the 21st century, and inviting us to reflect on the deeper spiritual dimensions of our lives and times. 'This earthy disturber of breakfasts subverts and provokes with Thoughts that last much longer than a day.' Roy Jenkins 'I hate celebrities, Harry Potter, musicals, and Thought for the Day. Unless Rhidian Brook is on.'Philip Kerr 'A great collection from a wise and humane thinker and writer.'Victoria Hislop 'Profound, entertaining, wise and funny - this is a masterclass in the genre. Bishop Nick Baines 'Gems on every page. Take your time so you can reflect fully on the beauties contained in the brevity.'Professor Laurie McGuire
Bestselling novelist and broadcaster, Rhidian Brook, presents a spiritual commentary on our lives and times, drawn from his popular broadcasts on Radio 4's Thought for the Day
About the Author
Rhidian Brook is an award-winning writer of fiction, television drama and film. His first novel, The Testimony Of Taliesin Jones (HarperCollins) won three prizes, including the 1997 Somerset Maugham Award, and was made into a film of the same name starring Jonathan Pryce. His second novel, Jesus And The Adman(HarperCollins) was published in 1999. His third novel, The Aftermath (Penguin), was published in April 2013 and was translated into twenty languages. The Aftermath has been made into a feature film of the same name starring Keira Knightley and Alexander Skarsgard. His fourth novel, The Killing of Butterfly Joe (Picador), was published March 2018. His short stories have been published by The Paris Review, Punch, The New Statesman, Time Out and others; and several were broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Short Story.His first commission for television - Mr. Harvey Lights a Candle - was broadcast in 2005 on BBC1 and starred Timothy Spall. He wrote for the BBC series Silent Witness between 2005-7, and the factual drama Atlantis for BBC1 in 2008. Africa United, his first feature film (Pathe), went on general release in the UK in October 2010. He then adapted his novel The Aftermath for Scott Free. The film goes on general release (through Fox Searchlight) in March 2019. He is currently[when?] adapting his fourth novel - The Killing of Butterfly Joe - for film. He has written articles for papers, including The Observer, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph. In 2005, he presented Nailing The Cross, a documentary for BBC1. In 2006 he broadcast a series In The Blood for BBC World Service, recording his family's journey through the AIDS pandemic. His book about that journey - More Than Eyes Can See - was published by Marion Boyars in 2007. He has been a regular contributor to Radio 4's Thought for the Day since 2000.
Reviews
'Gems on every page. I found myself stimulated, challenged, enlightened, and moved. This is a writer who practices what he preaches - but there is nothing preachy about any of these Thoughts. They are witty and entertaining, profound and pithy. I had to ration myself so that I could reflect fully on the beauties contained in the brevity.' * Laurie McGuire, Professor of English, Magdalen College, Oxford *
'I read the book and thought about giving up doing Thought for the Day. Profound, entertaining, wise and funny - this is a masterclass in the genre. Not only does Rhidian bother us with God, he also shows how God bothers with us. A book for people who want to know God bothers with those who bother. I loved the book.' * The Rt Revd Nicholas Baines, Bishop of Leeds, author and broadcaster *
'Whether his subject is rugby, love, homelessness or ageing, Rhidian Brook writes with warmth and humanity. His faith is confident and always present, but he never forces it on us. This is a great collection of Thoughts by a wise and reassuring thinker and writer.' * Victoria Hislop, author *
'Rhidian Brook aims for "a thought that lasts a day". His can linger longer. With gentle humour, this earthy disturber of breakfasts can subvert and provoke. No cheap comfort on offer, but sharp perception and solid hope, forged in personal experience. With potential to last a lifetime.' * Roy Jenkins, broadcaster *
'From his first script Rhidian managed to combine the best of what makes a great Thought for the Day: he draws on real life to expose the truths and absurdities that everyone can recognize, yet writes with a style that takes you to new places. He makes connections and offers insights that surprise, challenge and delight. Choosing his subject can be the best conversation of the day and he's great fun to work with, which comes across on air. He owns his faith and speaks from the heart, but most of all he sounds like himself - which is sometimes harder to do than you think.' * Christine Morgan, Editor, Thought for the Day and Head of BBC Religion & Ethics *
Book Information
ISBN 9780281083893
Author Rhidian Brook
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint SPCK Publishing
Publisher SPCK Publishing
Weight(grams) 262g
Bestselling novelist and broadcaster, Rhidian Brook, presents a spiritual commentary on our lives and times, drawn from his popular broadcasts on Radio 4's Thought for the Day
About the Author
Rhidian Brook is an award-winning writer of fiction, television drama and film. His first novel, The Testimony Of Taliesin Jones (HarperCollins) won three prizes, including the 1997 Somerset Maugham Award, and was made into a film of the same name starring Jonathan Pryce. His second novel, Jesus And The Adman(HarperCollins) was published in 1999. His third novel, The Aftermath (Penguin), was published in April 2013 and was translated into twenty languages. The Aftermath has been made into a feature film of the same name starring Keira Knightley and Alexander Skarsgard. His fourth novel, The Killing of Butterfly Joe (Picador), was published March 2018. His short stories have been published by The Paris Review, Punch, The New Statesman, Time Out and others; and several were broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Short Story.His first commission for television - Mr. Harvey Lights a Candle - was broadcast in 2005 on BBC1 and starred Timothy Spall. He wrote for the BBC series Silent Witness between 2005-7, and the factual drama Atlantis for BBC1 in 2008. Africa United, his first feature film (Pathe), went on general release in the UK in October 2010. He then adapted his novel The Aftermath for Scott Free. The film goes on general release (through Fox Searchlight) in March 2019. He is currently[when?] adapting his fourth novel - The Killing of Butterfly Joe - for film. He has written articles for papers, including The Observer, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph. In 2005, he presented Nailing The Cross, a documentary for BBC1. In 2006 he broadcast a series In The Blood for BBC World Service, recording his family's journey through the AIDS pandemic. His book about that journey - More Than Eyes Can See - was published by Marion Boyars in 2007. He has been a regular contributor to Radio 4's Thought for the Day since 2000.
Reviews
'Gems on every page. I found myself stimulated, challenged, enlightened, and moved. This is a writer who practices what he preaches - but there is nothing preachy about any of these Thoughts. They are witty and entertaining, profound and pithy. I had to ration myself so that I could reflect fully on the beauties contained in the brevity.' * Laurie McGuire, Professor of English, Magdalen College, Oxford *
'I read the book and thought about giving up doing Thought for the Day. Profound, entertaining, wise and funny - this is a masterclass in the genre. Not only does Rhidian bother us with God, he also shows how God bothers with us. A book for people who want to know God bothers with those who bother. I loved the book.' * The Rt Revd Nicholas Baines, Bishop of Leeds, author and broadcaster *
'Whether his subject is rugby, love, homelessness or ageing, Rhidian Brook writes with warmth and humanity. His faith is confident and always present, but he never forces it on us. This is a great collection of Thoughts by a wise and reassuring thinker and writer.' * Victoria Hislop, author *
'Rhidian Brook aims for "a thought that lasts a day". His can linger longer. With gentle humour, this earthy disturber of breakfasts can subvert and provoke. No cheap comfort on offer, but sharp perception and solid hope, forged in personal experience. With potential to last a lifetime.' * Roy Jenkins, broadcaster *
'From his first script Rhidian managed to combine the best of what makes a great Thought for the Day: he draws on real life to expose the truths and absurdities that everyone can recognize, yet writes with a style that takes you to new places. He makes connections and offers insights that surprise, challenge and delight. Choosing his subject can be the best conversation of the day and he's great fun to work with, which comes across on air. He owns his faith and speaks from the heart, but most of all he sounds like himself - which is sometimes harder to do than you think.' * Christine Morgan, Editor, Thought for the Day and Head of BBC Religion & Ethics *
Book Information
ISBN 9780281083893
Author Rhidian Brook
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint SPCK Publishing
Publisher SPCK Publishing
Weight(grams) 262g
