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ABOUT THIS BOOK

PUBLISHER: Canongate Books

ISBN: 9781837260737

RRP: £10.99

PAGES: 256

PUBLICATION DATE:
June 19, 2025

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On Reflection: Looking for Life’s Meaning

By Richard Holloway

In On Reflection Richard Holloway thinks back on some of the questions that have shaped his life. Here, then, are the big asks: is there a God? How can we forgive? Where does creativity come from? How can we face loss and death? How can we live a good life? And how do we find beauty in the world?

To this cause he also recruits the help of poets, writers, musicians and artists, whose own wisdom can help us navigate life’s challenges. To ‘reflect on’ can also mean to change your mind; a necessary facility in any well-lived life. And this leads us to more of our big asks: how do we change the world for the better? How do we heal divisions? How does a society move forward?

In beautiful prose, and with care and joy, Richard Holloway offers his reflections on how a good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.

Reviews of On Reflection: Looking for Life’s Meaning

Reading Holloway is like taking a long walk in the countryside – afterwards, you understand the world better, you feel less lonely.' Elif Shafak

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Richard Holloway

Richard F. Holloway is a writer and broadcaster, and was formerly the Scottish Episcopalian Bishop of Edinburgh. He has written numerous books on Christianity, faith and ethics, and was also Chair of the Scottish Arts Council.

Holloway was educated at Kelham Theological College, Edinburgh Theological College and the Union Theological Seminary in New York. From 1959 to 1986 he served as a curate, vicar and rector at various parishes in the UK and also in the USA, before becoming Bishop of Edinburgh in 1986. In 1992 he was elected Primus of the Scottish Episcopalian Church. He resigned in 2000, following the Lambeth Conference of 1998. An outspoken liberal, he campaigns on a number of human rights issues, including gay rights, and is a patron of LGBT Youth Scotland.

Richard Holloway frequently reviews books for The Times, The Guardian, The Independent and other newspapers, and has hosted the BBC Radio Scotland book review programme Cover Stories. He has also appeared on television.

He lives in Edinburgh with his wife Jean, whom he met while studying in New York. They have three adult children. He was Gresham Professor of Divinity in the City of London four four years until 2001.

Richard Holloway formally launched BooksfromScotland.com at a party in December 2005.