Dog Collar [Hardcover] Surman, Richard

A vicar's life isn't all Sunday sermons and tea with parishioners. Richard Surman's memoir pulls back the vestry curtain on what it's really like to wear the collar — the absurd funerals, the parish politics, the 3am crisis calls, the moments of quiet grace between the chaos. Surman writes with warmth and self-deprecating wit about navigating faith in the everyday trenches: difficult weddings, eccentric congregation members, the loneliness of the role, and the unexpected ways God shows up when you least expect it. It's honest without being cynical, funny without mocking the sacred. If you've ever wondered what clergy actually do all week, or you just love memoirs that find humor in human nature, this is a quietly charming read. Perfect for fans of James Herriot's warmth or anyone who enjoys slice-of-life storytelling from unusual professions.