Controversy continues between the supporters of the Book of the Common
Prayer and its rival, the Alternative Service Book. People have been
known to drive miles to find a service that still uses the former. In
this book, Norman Taylor has produced an anthology of passages from
English literature that include a reference to the Book of Common
Prayer. The Prayer Book has always had an enduring significance for
authors from all over the English-speaking world, as much for the beauty
of its language, as for its importance to their spiritual life.
Combining humour and a passion for his subject, Norman Taylor has
selected passages from the novels, autobiographies, poems and letters of
authors as diverse as James Boswell, G.K. Chesterton, Margaret Mitchell,
Alan Paton, Thomas Hardy and Stevie Smith. Lovers of anthologies will
find much material for further reading and will also have their
appetites whetted by extracts from lesser known authors such as Charles
Williams and Priscilla Napier. Arranged in chapters according to the
order of services, the author takes us through the Prayer Book from
Matins to Forms of Prayer to be used at Sea. The whole is punctuated by
three essay interludes discussing the history of the Prayer Book itself,
the place of music in Anglican worship and the shape of Morning and
Evening Prayer. The epilogue concludes with a discussion of the
challenges by the increasing preferences of many clergymen for the
Alternative Service Book.
