An extended conversation with God that ranges from complaint to joy, anger to love. Drawing upon a lifetime of such dialogues, Bill Countryman grapples with the reality of evil and loss, as well as hope and the possibility of fulfilment.

Lovesongs and Reproaches takes liberties with the scriptures in order to explore them with new seriousness, and argues with both God and the biblical text in the process. The author’s lyrical style owes much to the poetry of the Psalms, Job and the Song of Solomon, but moves freely in the realm of ordinary spoken English.

‘Bill Countryman has woven a tapestry in which poetry and theology and story-telling, celebration and lament flow together seemingly effortlessly. It makes compelling reading. Drawing us on with words that energize, and arresting images that will resonate like lectio in the heart and mind.’

Esther de Waal