cover image Once a Catholic: Prominent Catholics and Ex-Catholics Reveal the Influence of the Church on Their Lives and Work

Once a Catholic: Prominent Catholics and Ex-Catholics Reveal the Influence of the Church on Their Lives and Work

Peter Occhiofrosso. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), $18.95 (371pp) ISBN 978-0-395-42111-6

A highly nuanced spectrum of religious beliefs is covered in this collection of interviews with prominent persons, some of whom remain practicing Catholics. Among the 26 interviewees are designedly outrageous Jimmy Breslin (""Grammar and Religion''); insouciant Christopher Buckley, son of William (``God and Man at the Yale Club''), and caustic Judge Bruce Wright (``Catholic Justice''). This group that also includes novelist Mary Gordon, playwright Christopher Durang, rock star Frank Zappa, filmmaker Martin Scorsese and Penthouse publisher Bob Guccione delivers a medley of experiences, viewpoints, emotions and rationalizations that provide revealing, often amusing, insights into unorthodox folk who challenge with eclat the status quo of the Church. Occhiogrosso is a freelance writer. (September 10)