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Psalms for the City

Original poetry inspired by the places we call home

John-Paul Flintoff author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:SPCK Publishing

Published:27th Oct '22

Should be back in stock very soon

Psalms for the City cover

Psalms for the City by John-Paul Flintoff is a beautiful collection of original poetry and stunning illustrations inspired by both the psalms and the scenery and sounds of urban life.

The whole of life can be found in the psalms. It can also be found in our cities. Psalms for the City is a beautifully illustrated book of poetry that offers comfort, inspiration and encouragement for the heart and soul, as John-Paul Flintoff puts into vibrant, captivating and sometimes heart-wrenching words the pockets of peace he has found in the midst of the non-stop noise and colourful chaos of the city. Inspired by the psalms – some of the oldest and most soul-stirring poetry in the world – Flintoff’s fluid style and technical skills take us on a private tour of our most-loved urban landscapes and reveal the spiritual nourishment in some of its most famous sights. In countless churches and sacred spaces, he shows us locations to lament; he teaches us to discover joy in crowded marketplaces; and shares how he found hope searching the horizon atop Hampstead Heath. With his own hand-drawn illustrations to accompany the poems, Psalms for the City is a book that poetry lovers will treasure and is perfect for fans of Charlie Mackesy. Presented in a beautiful hardback format, it will also make a wonderful gift for friends and family, and for those who love the diversity of city life. Open and honest, these are modern day psalms that chart John-Paul’s discovery that the extraordinary places welcomed the ordinary, and that when we’re looking closely, the ordinary places can become extraordinary. Psalms for the City is an invitation to take your imagination on a pilgrimage across the city, experiencing the full depths of what it means to be human today.

'Absolutely gorgeous...a beautiful, quirky, comforting little book.' -- Annalisa Barbieri, columnist, The Guardian and The Observer
'I've found Psalms for the City charming, intriguing and challenging in equal measure. I'm tickled by the wit and wordplay. I love the illustrations.' -- Edward Canfor-Dumas, author of The Buddha, Geoff and Me
'This book is a delight. Keeping quirky and cheerful, it suggests serious things without taking itself too seriously. It could even make the most complacent sceptic laugh and think again.' -- Richard Harries (Lord Harries of Pentregarth)
'The intimate, approachable book provides a collection of day-to-day songs, or psalms, that fit our busy contemporary lives. Always thoughtful, often celebratory, sometimes painful: these rueful verses - and their gorgeous, witty illustrations - build up something both serious and delightful.' -- Fiona Sampson, author of Common Prayer and Come Down
‘What a beautiful collection. Thoughtful profound, funny, moving. The religious theme is so perfectly handled. And I adored the art - the whole thing is so charming.’ -- Anthony McGowan, author
'Beautiful, charming, thoughtful, whimsical and frequently profound, this new little book of psalms, accompanied by some gorgeous art, is a surefire jumpstart to prayer.' -- James Martin, SJ, author of Learning to Pray

ISBN: 9780281086047

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

120 pages