Toronto Star gives balanced review of John Allen Opus Dei book

Toronto Star review of Opus Dei book:

Readers will not be disappointed with Opus Dei: An Objective Look Behind the Myths and Reality of the Most Controversial Force in the Catholic Church.

Author John L. Allen works as Vatican correspondent for the independent American newspaper National Catholic Reporter. He writes an objective and balanced piece of journalism — not salacious but informative — although some of his attempts at objectivity lure him occasionally into pedantry.

The author is nonetheless credible because of his proven track record as a religion reporter. He circumvents ideology and focuses on first-hand experience.

Fortunately, he was granted considerable access for interviews. He travelled to a number of countries in Europe, Africa, North and South America to conduct his investigations, and the resulting book clarifies the nebulous and dispels a good deal of rumour and innuendo.

Allen himself can legitimately claim that he likely knows more about Opus Dei than anyone outside it.

Those intent on demonizing Opus Dei and those interested primarily in titillation will probably toss the book, but readers who want to learn more about a mysterious, much-maligned, highly motivated and idealistic, but in some ways naive religious movement, should discover more than they expected.

Balanced review in the Toronto Star.

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