Synopsis of The Altar Boy: A Dark Tale of Comedy, Sorrow and the Catholic Church in the 1960s by Phil Stephens:
Set against the socially and politically turbulent 1960s, The Altar Boy is a fictionalized memoir that follows Carl Sanders, a sensitive and humorous boy growing up in a Catholic family in Connecticut. The narrative alternates between the late 1980s, where Carl and his brother Mike reconnect over drinks to piece together their chaotic family history, and flashbacks to Carl’s childhood. The story centers on the unraveling of Carl’s family due to his parents’ faltering marriage and the intrusive presence of Father Jacobson, a charismatic but narcissistic priest who disrupts their lives. As an altar boy, Carl navigates the rituals and expectations of the Catholic Church while grappling with the hypocrisy, cover-ups, and betrayal he witnesses, particularly involving his mother, Madeline, and the priest. The return of an absent family member after 20 years threatens to reignite old conflicts, forcing Carl to confront painful memories. Blending humor, nostalgia, and tragedy, the novel captures the era’s rock ‘n’ roll, Catholic school life, boyhood pranks, and the Church’s unchecked power. Described as poignant and gripping, it explores themes of innocence lost, family dysfunction, and institutional corruption. The book, rated T for Teens with parental guidance advised, won the 2016 International Publisher Awards Gold Medal for Best Contemporary Novel and was a Rave Reviews Book Club pick in February 2019.
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About the Author, Phil Stephens:
Phil Stephens is an Indiana native and author of The Altar Boy, a critically acclaimed historical fiction novel based on true events. A graduate of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and the Dale Carnegie Course, Stephens spent much of his career in Fortune 500 America. Raised in a devout Catholic family, he attended Catholic grade schools in the 1960s and served as an altar boy, experiences that deeply inform his writing. His work has appeared in local newspapers and Pen IT literary magazine. Stephens is passionate about history and horror genres, cooking, exercise, and environmental causes. He resides in Brown County, Southern Indiana, with his wife, Marie, and has an adopted granddaughter, Crystal Maiden, in the Philippines. Beyond The Altar Boy, he has written At the Edge of the Stairs, a paranormal romance, and Standing Fast, Battles of a Champion. Known for his storytelling and promotion efforts, Stephens brings authenticity and emotional depth to his narratives, drawing from personal and historical contexts.
For more information, visit Phil Stephens’ author page at
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