Shelf Life: How I Found The Meaning of Life Stacking Supermarket Shelves

Description

A warm and witty look at urban life, and what it means to be alive. The day I was appointed Chair of the shop union was the same day the Pope was elected. There the similarities end, however. For while his elevation took place beneath the fine art of the Sistine Chapel, with the mysterious white smoke rising, mine took place in the cold store, with nothing more mysterious than the bacon delivery and yesterday's waste... A vicar for twenty years, Simon Parke trades in his dog collar for a job on the tills in his local supermarket. Among the vegetable aisles and dairy produce he unpacks the meaning of life with his fellow workers, a colourful bunch. Sonny the security guard hates conflict; shelf-filler Winston knows he is destined for something better; and voluptuous Faith is generous with her wares - but sadly not with Simon. You don't have to be off your trolley to work there, but it helps... From checkout charlies to banana rage, from short-changed lows to cold store highs, Shelf Life is a pick-n-mix of wit and wisdom for anyone who loves life and hopes for more - no matter where they find themselves.

Simon Parke was a priest in the Church of England for 20 years. He then worked for three years in a supermarket, and is now a freelance author. He has been writing professionally for 25 years, producing scripts for TV and radio, including Spitting Image and Simon Mayo. His most recent books are The Beautiful Life and Another Bloody Retreat. Simon runs and leads retreats, meets with people looking for a new way in their lives, and follows the beautiful game. Visit his website http-//simonparke.com.

Our Einstein of the aisles * Daily Mail * With this book Simon Parke has managed to do something remarkable. He has taken the ostensibly "ordinary" world of a supermarket and turned it into an entertaining classroom where we can learn important lessons, whilst having fun at the same time. A great read. -- Tony Hawks An endearing and funny writer blessed with wit, warmth and wisdom * Daily Mail *