The Edge of Sadness

By Edwin O'Connor

Pulitzer Prize Winner Fiction 1962

This novel was considered to be a shocker in its time, debunking the myth of the, to quote from Loyola Press, "super-competent and authoritarian but lovable leader, the wise counselor, gregarious extrovert, and heroic celibate (who could nevertheless flirt with the ladies)."
This is the story of Father Hugh Kennedy who grew up in an Irish Catholic parish and was lucky enough to serve in a similar parish in the same town when he was a young priest. While he was thus employed, his father became ill with cancer. As he watched his father waste away in pain and suffering, Father Hugh became more and more distressed. After his father finally died, Father Hugh found refuge from his pain in the bottle.
At first, he was able to control his drinking, but eventually he ended up in rehab. After rehab, he went back to work but soon found himself back in trouble with alcohol. This time he went to the rehab center for almost four years, learning to deal with his depression and his alcoholism.
Eventually he had to leave rehab and get back to work. His bishop kindly gave him charge of a quiet, run-down parish in the poor part of his home town. Father Hugh settles in and basically just hides, letting most of the parish work rest on the shoulders of his young curate.
Bursting upon this quiet scene one day is an old acquaintance from his previous life, Charlie Carmody. Old Charlie is not a nice fellow, in fact, Father Hugh's father described him thus, "As fine a man as ever robbed the helpless." Father Hugh naturally wonders this unpleasant old man wants from him as Charlie insists Father Hugh attend Charlie's upcoming birthday party. Father Hugh agrees to attend, even though he inwardly quails at seeing again all his old friends from before. And so Father Hugh reestablishes contact with Carmody family and in the process finds himself.

This is quiet story of a priest finally coming to terms with his own lack of commitment and it is a strangely engrossing and ultimately compelling read. Father Hugh discovers that his best friend John, who is also a priest, is suffering with a terrible crisis of faith. This forces Father Hugh to look at the reality of his own life, coming to a better understanding of how he has failed in his own commitment to his role as a priest and pastor.

Review by Kirkus Reviews.