The Whole Language

The Power of Extravagant Tenderness

By: Gregory Boyle

Narrated by: Gregory Boyle

Gregory Boyle, the beloved Jesuit priest and author of the inspirational bestsellers Tattoos on the Heart and Barking to the Choir, returns with a call to witness the transformative power of tenderness, rooted in his lifetime of experience counseling gang members in Los Angeles.

Over the past thirty years, Gregory Boyle has transformed thousands of lives through his work as the founder of Homeboy Industries, the largest and most successful gang-intervention program in the world. Boyle’s new book, The Whole Language, follows the acclaimed bestsellers Tattoos on the Heart, hailed as an “astounding literary and spiritual feat” (Publishers Weekly) that is “destined to become a classic of both urban reportage and contemporary spirituality” (Los Angeles Times), and Barking to the Choir, deemed “a beautiful and important and soul-transporting book” by Elizabeth Gilbert, and declared by Ann Patchett to be “a book that shows what the platitudes of faith look like when they’re put into action.”

In a community struggling to overcome systemic poverty and violence, The Whole Language shows how those at Homeboy Industries fight despair and remain generous, hopeful, and tender. When Saul was thirteen years old, he killed his abusive stepfather in self-defense; after spending twenty-three years in juvenile and adult jail, he enters the Homeboy Industries training and healing programs and embraces their mission. Declaring, “I’ve decided to grow up to be somebody I always needed as a child,” Saul shows tenderness toward the young men in his former shoes, treating them all like his sons and helping them to find their way. Before coming to Homeboy Industries, a young man named Abel was shot thirty-three times, landing him in a coma for six months followed by a year and a half recuperating in the hospital. He now travels on speaking tours with Boyle and gives guided tours around the Homeboy offices. One day a new trainee joins Abel as a shadow, and Abel recognizes him as the young man who had put him in a coma. “You give good tours,” the trainee tells Abel. They both have embarked on a path to wholeness.

Boyle’s moving stories challenge our ideas about God and about people, providing a window into a world filled with fellowship, compassion, and fewer barriers. Bursting with encouragement, humor, and hope, The Whole Language invites us to treat others—and ourselves—with acceptance and tenderness.

©2021 Gregory Boyle. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

My heart was broke wide open

If you want your mind, soul and heart opened up to God’s love, listen to this book. I am forever changed for the better because I did. The headline to this review is the title of the poem that I wrote after I experienced Fr. Boyle’s extravagant tenderness in telling these stories. Yes, all any of us want is to be loved and to belong. You go “Big G”!

Perfection

Loved every minute. I did not want him to stop talking to my heart.

Spiritual Food

Another excellent book from Father Greg Boyle for anyone wanting the antidote to our troubled, divisive times. Great anecdotes and grounding advice. For anyone looking to develop their life methodology, Christian or not, religious or not.

What a book

Father Greg reading his book is more than magical, more than mystical, it is the whole language of love for your ears

love and tenderness

love and tenderness. amazing book, changed my life. wish I understood this unconditional love as a child.

Amazing BOOK

If you are able please listen or read this book. This is read that Eve needs to go through.

Well done

Beautifully done Fr. Greg. A story that is both uplifting and fitting for our times.

Tenderness and Love

The World needs this message and reminder! Gregory Boyle writes amazingly, I highly recommend you listen to all his books! His narration is amazing!

Laughter and Belonging

A terrific reminder to rehumanized our fellow man through the power of laughter, belonging, and restorative justice.

This is the most moving book series

I have never enjoyed a book as much as I have this, and the two that preceded it… Tattoos on the Heart and Barking to the Choir. I am compelled to look at and love others the way that Jesus did, without convicting them of anything, or expecting anything in return.