David Schickler

I loved this book. It's lovely and idiosyncratic, and quite unexpected. Schickler made be laugh (something a book rarely makes me do), but he also impressed me with the sensitivity with which he handled his fragile characters. The structure is also great - it's a fully realized world constructed from different points of view (it's a novel in short stories), giving the reader the impression of looking through a keyhole into a variety of lives. There are a lot of threads to control, but show more Schickler does it well, and manages to keep them all pleasingly taut. show less

To be honest, I read the back of the book when I first received it and I was admittedly dejected; A book about faith. I immediately thought it was going to be one of those sappy Christian books about having good morals and never using God's name in vain. Those books, in my opinion and for lack of a better phrase, really suck. I felt obligated to read the book and write a review though because I thought it was quite pleasant to receive a free book in the mail. I had a certain duty to uphold. show more I started reading this memoir, the memoir that I thought I'd find really "safe" and "boring" and I have to say that it has to be one of the best books that I've read in awhile. David Schickler has a gift in conveying his reflections and emotions in a way that I never thought possible to convey through writing. I was floored by his bluntness and honesty about life. You really have the chance to get into the depths of his mind, the depths that reveal his most elemental motivations. He expresses some sentiments that typical "Christian" novels would never go anywhere near. His anger at God is truly an honest feeling that he doesn't sugar-coat which is such a great deviant from what you would expect a devout Catholic to reveal about their inner reflections. This book is truly a gem. I really felt like I got to know David Schickler better than I know some of my best friends. He's just that good and honest at letting you know his true feelings and desires. I haven't encountered that kind of connection with an author ever. show less

Raised in a strictly Catholic family in upstate New York, author David Schickler long dreamed of being a priest. But as he grew older, he realized that his love and desire for women might prove to be a challenge to his goal. Schickler recalls this personal battle in his hilarious, heartfelt memoir The Dark Path.

Schickler had me from the first page of The Dark Path, as a ten year-old sitting in a pew, staring at his "wife", tagged as such because she also has a four syllable last name ending show more in -er. As he carries readers through his teenage years, where he begins to battle over his course in life, he introduces his hilarious idiosyncrasies and endearing quirks. Schickler’s best flirting is learned from the Grease soundtrack, courtesy of his house full of sisters, and his most intimate conversations are the brutally honest heart-to-hearts he has with God.

Schickler’s struggle continues in college, where he parties with his hard-drinking friends and non-religious girlfriend, but sneaks away to explore life as a Jesuit priest. Constantly pushing back his ultimate decision, but feeling increasing pressure to choose, Schickler begins to lose control before a radical change is able to ground him.

While it’s framed around religion, David Schickler’s memoir is less about Catholicism and more about finding yourself, despite where you imagined you might be. Believers and non-believers alike will find unforgettable honesty journeying along The Dark Path.

Blog: www.rivercityreading.com show less

Loved it! Perfect, precise character descriptions and word choice. I didn't expect the connected stories to eventually tumble out into a larger plot, but I thought it was well done. I highly recommend this book to lovers of weird short stories, one of my favorite genres.