Fragments of Reality is a book by well-known writer and preacher, Redemptorist Tony Flannery. It is a collection of articles written over the past ten years for various publications, mostly Reality magazine. Flannery is a keen observer of Irish life, and in his role as a travelling preacher he is in a unique position to observe what is happening both in society and in church. This book analyses and critiques many of the trends that have happened over the past ten years, the decline in the Catholic Church, with shrinking attendances and seminaries closing, a failure in leadership and a gradual emergence of a lay voice, to the effects of the Celtic Tiger, giving us unprecedented prosperity but also a greedier, more harsh and ruthless society.At a time when so much of media comment is agenda-driven, superficial and sensational, these articles are thoughtful and challenging. You may not agree with everything that is written here, but it will certainly set you thinking.