Celebrities Have Something to Say... Sometimes

Review of 'Unfathomable Riches' by Richard Coles

By Rosemary Johnson

Writers find it irritating that celebrities, famous for doing other things, jump the queue in getting their work published and noticed.  However, Richard Coles, formerly of the 1980s pop group, The Communards, and a radio and television presenter, has much to say in his book Fathomless Riches, about modern church life.  The title, which comes from Ephesians 3:8 (To me—less than the least of all the saints—this grace was given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ),  reflects the humility of the author, who feels, like Saint Paul, that he has sinned grievously but - yet  - has the opportunity to proclaim the word of Christ.  The alternative title is Or How I Went From Pop to Pulpit - doesn’t that explain everything?

Richard Coles is vigorously homosexual and Fathomless Riches begins with a gay encounter in a car park in Northamptonshire on Christmas Day, comedic and self-deprecating.  The first part of the book is taken up with sex, drugs and rock’n’roll, with few details spared.  Coles writes with soul-bearing honesty.  For example, he recounts being overwhelmed with jealousy during press interviews, because reporters wanted to hear only from Jimmy Somerville, his band-mate, and how one journo even told him to shut up.  Later, Coles accepts God into his life and becomes ordained.

Although Coles’s English style is dull and does nothing to enhance his material, Unfathomable Riches is well-worth reading, despite it being a book written by a celebrity:

·         ‘...I found a place in a pew near the back, hoping that no one would try to befriend me.’ (p167).

·         ‘I knew next to nothing of doctrine but never felt left behind, for John [preaching], holy and wise, knew how to be simple.’ (p173)

·         ‘Saying your prayers is not reading Shakespeare, and… the more mechanically they’re done the more effectively they achieve a detachment from the present moment…’ (p223)

·         ‘I love the BBC.  I love the Church of England.  But it is not wise to love organisations because they do not love you back.’ (p239)

He also wrote about the banality of writing All Welcome on church posters. 

Coming into the church fresh, Coles observed things which we, who have always attended church, don’t notice anymore.  We need to look, and think, harder, and not necessarily go along with everybody else.

Fathomless Riches by Richard Coles is published by Orion Books.

Rosemary Johnson has had many short stories published, in print and online, amongst other places, The Copperfield Review, Circa and Every Day Fiction.  In real life, she is a part-time IT tutor, living in Suffolk with her husband and cat.  Her cat supports her writing by sitting on her keyboard and deleting large portions of text.