“I just finished Eddie’s Dream a second time. I found myself savoring it rather than just reading it. I took a lot of time not only on chapters but on pages. Even paragraphs. I’d put the book down on my lap and just quietly think. Or muse. Sometimes just stare.
Eddie’s life arc is pretty close to my own so a whole lot of what he reflects on is what I think on too, but-without his energy and his keen dream ability.
Being with Eddie as he tries to absorb religiously and personally the Second Vatican Council, the Viet Nam war protests, dissent within Catholicism, the women’s movement, the changing of religious life, the departures from religious life, the altering perception of priesthood — in other words, the entire last part of the 20th century — was more than a good read. It was an inner adventure. A pilgrimage.
Eddie, I thought, was the perfect companion for re-imaging this rocky journey. Good-willed, innocent and savvy at the same time, of good cheer but never cheaply purchased, he does it all -- and with inner mirth, which is the secret of Eddie. I liked having Eddie part of my world these last few weeks. He brought me more confidence in life.”
James R. Kelly, sociologist and humanist
“Good novel! I came to care very much about Eddie, and the language and images are often dazzling.”
Kathleen Snow, published novelist
“I thoroughly enjoyed every page of Eddie’s Dream. The incidents and experiences in the tale rang so many bells in me. I loved his visit to the CF’s nursing home, his conversations with his many lay friends, his seminary days, his growing up in Chelsea, his weekends covering a parish, his classroom adventures, the material on his six psychological ‘Types’, his travels, his trips, his ponderings about God, and on and on. McCauley used so many great picture words, and many of his metaphors had me laughing out loud in my room during the dull January days I was reading it.
Great job! l’d recommend it to every priest that comes to our Redemptorist Retreat House and Meeting Center on the Jersey shore. It was my life story and the story of every priest as well. I had a delightful trip, and was kind of sad when I came to the last page. To me that’s the sign of a good book. I copied many things down and underscored many a line in the book. Now, how about a sequel?”
John McGowan, C.S.S.R