The Gambling Adventures of Father Green is Michael Church’s fourth book of short stories, following Ripping Gambling Yarns, Born To Bet and Black Horse – Red Dog. This, however, although inspired by priests he has known, is his first venture into fiction and follows the narrative of the life of a priest in the East End of London.
Father Perry Green’s consuming interest outside his vocation is gambling – any form of gambling – horseracing, greyhounds, roulette, card games, even a lottery to enable the pupils of St Joseph’s to go to Lourdes. It was his keen interest in betting which caused the Rector at his seminary to suggest that he should take a year off to reconsider his vocation – if indeed he had one? As it turned out, he did and you can follow his journey via Aintree, Ascot, Cheltenham, Epsom and Wimbledon dogs. There is even a cruise ship romance to contend with, plus some dodgy fund raising methods for his new parish. Nevertheless, it’s safe to say that Father Green is the punter’s priest.
