Fathomless Riches cover art

Fathomless Riches

Or How I Went From Pop to Pulpit

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Fathomless Riches

By: Richard Coles
Narrated by: Richard Coles
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About this listen

 'The best vicar ever' Caitlin Moran

'Sex, drugs, death, religion, more sex... it has got it all' Guardian

FATHOMLESS RICHES is the Reverend Richard Coles' warm, witty and wise memoir in which he divulges with searing honesty and intimacy his pilgrimage from a rock-and-roll life of sex and drugs in the Communards to one devoted to God and Christianity.

'All the humour, quirky characters and incidents that life - and death- serve up' Mail on Sunday

'One of the most immensely readable - and redeemable - memoirs of the year' Sunday Times

'A frank, worldly-wise, bleakly comic memoir' The Times

'Full of wit and humour ' Independent on Sunday©2014 Richard Coles Biographies & Memoirs Christian Living Christianity Entertainment & Celebrities Celebrity Funny Feel-Good Heartfelt Inspiring Witty Thought-Provoking

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Critic reviews

One of the most immensely readable - and redeemable - memoirs of the year. His book is an engaging account of eccentricity, curiosity and a profound spiritual journey. I give it a screamingly camp, happy-clappy thumbs up (Helen Davies)
Sex, drugs, death, religion, more sex, many more deaths - it has got it all. Like a sparkling old-style chasuble worn by a Spanish priest, it is difficult to ignore (Chris Bryant)
He writes with charm and erudition and his take on 1980s Britain is fascinating (Virginia Blackburn)
Beautifully written, disarmingly frank and utterly charming (James Delingpole)
Richard's devastating honesty makes his journey from gay pop-star to celibate parish priest comprehensible even to atheists (Linda Grant)
[O]ne of the most readable memoirs of 2014 (Helen Davies)
It is a tale of redemption and of a sinner come to transformation... The Church of England is all the better for having such a priest within its ranks. (Stephen Bates)
Full of wit and humour about finding god, and Jimmy Somerville. (Katy Guest)
Richard Coles has achieved a rare thing in writing an astonishingly honest autobiography, which, alongside the sex and drugs, presents Christian faith in a way that will surely be invitingly intriguing to an audience well beyond the church ... An immensely enjoyable memoir, whether a reader's primary interest is the music industry, the impact of AIDS, the Church of England, or a wonderfully Anglican combination of all three. (The Revd Christopher Landau)
Witty, honest and - no pun intended - irreverent, it is very much a personal and at times heartbreaking account about what it was like to be gay during the period with a bit of pop-world gossip thrown in as well. Readable to say the least.
All stars
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Any additional comments?

Having listened to Richard Coles on Radio 4, and remembering his days in the Communards, I was curious to learn how he came to be a man of the cloth. It's an interesting story, with some interesting and famous faces along the way.

An interesting insight

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What did you like most about Fathomless Riches?

I loved the honestly, and directness of the story. Theres no stone unturned, no bush hidden behind or anthing dressed up. This is an autobiography that lays the story bare, and allows the listener to be drawn in and gripped by the some times hilarious, often poignant and always honest story telling.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fathomless Riches?

The description of the roof on the thatched cottage had me laughing out loud. Brilliant.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I loved the retelling of Richards involvement of the Miners Strike.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me laugh out loud, and cry buckets. Its very emotional.

Any additional comments?

No, I loved it. Quite simply put.

Wonderful, comedic, moving, inspiring.

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As a former Christian Pastor who never took drugs nor liked pop music particularly but who lost his job because he admitted he was gay, I found this a fascinating book. Well read. Very moving too

Exhausting and uplifting

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What an amazing no holes barred creation reflecting a man of immense stature and insight. I found it hard at times to stop listening to it but sometimes I just needed to go to sleep at midnight.
Thank you Richard for your honesty and for letting us follow your journey. Juliet H

Wonderfully honest

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Loved it. Very honest and candid account of Richards life. Brilliantly written and read by him.

Very interesting and well read book

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