{"product_id":"in-praise-of-the-useless-life-a-monk-s-memoir","title":"In Praise of the Useless Life: A Monk’s Memoir","description":"Monastic life and its counter-cultural wisdom come alive in the stories and lessons of Br. Paul Quenon, O.C.S.O., during his more than five decades as a Trappist at the Abbey of Gethsemani. He served as a novice under Thomas Merton and he also welcomed some of the monastery's more well-known visitors, including Sr. Helen Prejean and Seamus Heaney, to Merton's hermitage. In Praise of the Useless Life includes Quenon's quiet reflections on what it means to live each day with careful attentiveness.\nWinner of two 2019 Catholic Press Association Awards: Memoir (First Place) and Cover Design (Second Place).\nThe humble peace and simplicity of the monastery and of Quenon's daily life are beautifully portrayed in this memoir. Whether it be through the daily routine of the monastery, his love of the outdoors no matter the season, or his lively and interesting conversations with visitors (reciting Emily Dickinson with Pico Iyer, discussing Merton and poetry with Czeslaw Milosz), Quenon's gentle musings display his love for the beauty in his vocation and the people he’s encountered along the way.\nInspired by his novice master Merton, the poet and photographer’s stories remind us that the beauty of life can best be seen in the \"uselessness\" of daily life―having a quiet chat with a friend, spending time in contemplation―in our vocations, and in the memories we make along the way.\u003cbr\u003eASIN: 1594717591\u003cbr\u003eVSKU: DBV.1594717591.G\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Good\u003cbr\u003eAuthor\/Artist:Quenon, Paul|Iyer, Pico\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote:\u003c\/b\u003e Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Notes\u003c\/b\u003e: Gently used with minimal wear on the corners and cover. A few pages may contain light highlighting or writing, but the text remains fully legible. Dust jacket may be missing, and supplemental materials like CDs or codes may not be included. May be ex-library with library markings. Ships promptly!  \u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Dream Books Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41663005786170,"sku":"DBV.1594717591.G","price":11.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/6011\/0138\/files\/1594717591-0.jpg?v=1789794077","url":"https:\/\/shop.dreambooksco.com\/products\/in-praise-of-the-useless-life-a-monk-s-memoir","provider":"Dream Books Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}