Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #639044 in Books
• Published on: 2003-08-18
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Synopsis
Dawn French's vicar in "The Vicar of Dibley is" one of Britain's best-loved sitcom characters. This is the story of the woman who inspired her. Written by Richard Curtis, writer of "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Notting Hill", there has always been great speculation about the real-life vicar who inspired the sitcom. From wild youth, to unexpected calling to the ministry, prominent involvement in the struggle for the ordination of women as well as a "tabloid" wedding, it is perhaps unsurprising that Joy Carroll was the show's inspiration. The book charts how the series was intended to help the acceptance of women priests in the church and society, and how Dawn French worked with her to realise that intention. Moving to the US, getting married and having a baby have all added to her multi-faceted role as a woman priest. This book gives us a true insight into what that means for her and "spiritual" women like her.

Customer Reviews

Good, light reading
This is an enjoyable, easy to read book, giving a straightforward and open account of Joy Carroll's life from her childhood through her ordination to her life family life in America. Along the way we read of her involvement with the BBC comedy The Vicar of Dibley and the guidance and views she offered the writer and actors. I enjoyed reading this account, though wished for a bit more theological insight and reasoning - just now and then she does delve a little deeper into issues, but not often enough. Issues are tackled - the struggle for women to be ordained in the Anglican Church, the oppositon they met, and the issue of women Bishops. Also intersting is her comparison between the American Episcopal Church and the Church of England. However, a fuller discussion of these issues would have been welcomed. Nonetheless, a good read and an account of her courage and dedication to her vocation.