Godric of Finchale is an unofficial Anglo-Saxon saint who lived during the 11th Century. Reginald of Durahm wrote his hagiography, gushing over the old man’s virtue. Frederick Buechner’s imaginative retelling of Godric’s life tells a far more compelling story.

Buechner mines historical ore from Reginald’s account and develops a rich meditation on pride, humility, and the meaning of holiness. In Buechner’s retelling, Godric views himself as more scoundrel than saint, angry at his biographer for the embellishment of his so-called virtues.

This is one of the novels Eugene H. Peterson recommended, and it’s easy to see why. A rich, earthy holiness permeates Godric. In the end, the holiness of the scoundrel envisioned by Buechner far outstrips the stain-glassed version of his hagiographers.

Buechner, Frederick. Godric. HarperSanFrancisco, 1980.