Golfing with God

August 1, 2005
Merullo (Passion for Golf
) blends knowledge of the game with glimpses into his spiritual journey in this engaging story of golf, the after-life and "the spiritual education of one soul." Former golf professional Herman Fins-Winston has been enjoying heaven between reincarnations long enough to play several of its 8,187 excellent golf courses. When God, who finds golf his only relaxation after minding the universe, has trouble short putting because of the "yips," He (alternately called "She") summons Herman to help. It turns out that God has a "divine" swing, uses old persimmon woods and regularly hits 390-yard tee shots. Merullo infuses his own brand of theology into the story. (On getting into heaven: "You only have to try, to want it, to be sincere about wanting it. You have to not have hurt anyone too badly in your most recent previous life.") The first section, set in heaven, is stronger than the second, in which God (in the persona of a young trophy wife whom Herman dreams of taking to bed) travels with Herman back to earth. There, they play some of the best golf courses in search of the golf greatness he missed in his previous life. Inevitably, Herman's golfing prowess leads to a showdown with evil.

October 31, 2005
Merullo (Passion for Golf ) blends knowledge of the game with glimpses into his spiritual journey in this engaging story of golf, the after-life and "the spiritual education of one soul." Former golf professional Herman Fins-Winston has been enjoying heaven between reincarnations long enough to play several of its 8,187 excellent golf courses. When God, who finds golf his only relaxation after minding the universe, has trouble short putting because of the "yips," He (alternately called "She") summons Herman to help. It turns out that God has a "divine" swing, uses old persimmon woods and regularly hits 390-yard tee shots. Merullo infuses his own brand of theology into the story. (On getting into heaven: "You only have to try, to want it, to be sincere about wanting it. You have to not have hurt anyone too badly in your most recent previous life.") The first section, set in heaven, is stronger than the second, in which God (in the persona of a young trophy wife whom Herman dreams of taking to bed) travels with Herman back to earth. There, they play some of the best golf courses in search of the golf greatness he missed in his previous life. Inevitably, Herman's golfing prowess leads to a showdown with evil.

Starred review from September 1, 2005
Merullo won the Massachusetts Book Award in 2003 for his memoir, "Revere Beach Elegy", and followed up that success with the romance "A Little Love Story". This latest title will garner him even greater success with its "Lovely Bones" -like use of a deceased narrator. Herman "Hank" Fins-Winston tells his story from the vantage point of his condominium on the 13th fairway of one of heaven's thousands of golf courses. An avid golfer, he spends his days hitting the green with the likes of Buddha and Moses. When he is asked to help none other than God improve his/her game, Hank suddenly finds himself the student, learning the most important lessons of his afterlife. This New Age novel will appeal to fans of Alice Sebold and Mitch Albom's "The Five People You Meet " "in Heaven"; highly recommended for public libraries everywhere. -Nanci Milone Hill, Cary Memorial Lib., Lexington, MA

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2005
(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)