Good Catholic Fiction?

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Sola

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I am an avid reader and would like to read some good, well-written Catholic fiction. Things that have positive Catholic characters or themes (so no The Davinci Code). Is there such a beast?

I read The Exorcist and it actually has some good Catholic themes in it. The power of the Trinity forced the demon out of the girl. Of course, the devil then entered the priest, but is that because the priest had doubts? Ok, so maybe the books is actually borderline, but it least it makes you think.

It seems that a lot of “Christian” fiction is really not very well-written (like Frank Peretti and the Left Behind books).

So, if anyone has any suggestions, recommendations, or discussions, that would be great!
 
Hi, Sola! We had a thread on this very topic last month (I think it was called “Looking for good Catholic fiction!”)

The suggestions ranged from solid Catholic fiction (by Marcus Grodi and Louis DeWohl) to secular fiction with a Catholic “flavor” by Catholic authors (my personal favorite: Mary Higgins Clark’s suspense novels!)

See if you can find the thread and happy hunting!

BlueRose
 
I mentioned this in the other thread, but it’s well-worth mentioning again: Anything by James Lee Burke. It’s not explicitly Catholic fiction, but the main character in his two series are both faithful Catholics with big flaws. They’re highly moral, (well drawn, too), and are put into situations that challenge their integrity and principles. They played a huge part in my reversion.
 
Look for Bud MacFarlane. I read three of his good books: Pierced by a sword, Conceived without sin and House of Gold.

👍
 
Hi!

I said this in the other thread, but I’m only too happy to repeat myself. :o
  • Brideshead Revisted * by Evelyn Waugh is a great book- beautifully written and unabashedly Catholic- it’s one of my all time favorites.
(Resisting urge to quote it extensively)…
 
I’ve said this in other threads before, but it’s worth repeating: Michael O’Brien!!! Michael O’Brien!!! He is an absolutely amazing writer. Eclipse of the Sun and Fr. Elijah are his two best, in my opinion. I also recently finished A Cry of Stone, which was excellent. Don’t be intimidated by the length- you’ll be up late nights wanting to finish it!
 
Thanks! I will peruse that previous thread. Thanks for the link.

I tried to read an Evelyn Waugh book once and couldn’t get into it, but I’ll look in to Brideshead Revisited.

I also tried reading Bud McFarlane, but I don’t think he’s really that good of an author/storyteller. I don’t mean to offend anyone who enjoys his books, I guess he is just not my taste. But his subject matters are good!
 
You might enjoy Mary Doria Russell’s The Sparrow. I think of this book as “Jesuits in Space.”

The idea is that life on another nearby planet is discovered, and the Jesuits have both the desire and the money to go there. There’s a great deal about faith, and also about cultural understanding and misunderstanding.

It’s fascinating. It’s Science Fiction, but I know lots of non-SF people who have really enjoyed it.

Naprous
 
How Firm a Foundation by Marcus Grodi is a very good book. A good story, educational, and exciting. Theresa
 
How about A Philadelphia Catholic in King James Court ?It is a good read and apologetic in nature Young and old will get something out of it. An adult lady told me “When I finished the last page, I actually felt like I could defend my faith too.”

MrShttp://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon14.gif
 
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naprous:
You might enjoy Mary Doria Russell’s The Sparrow. I think of this book as “Jesuits in Space.”

The idea is that life on another nearby planet is discovered, and the Jesuits have both the desire and the money to go there. There’s a great deal about faith, and also about cultural understanding and misunderstanding.

It’s fascinating. It’s Science Fiction, but I know lots of non-SF people who have really enjoyed it.

Naprous
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You know, that is so funny that you say that. I’ve heard of this book many times and I can’t remember if I started to read it years ago and couldn’t get into it, or if it’s just never been at the library (I read so many books that I don’t always have good retention!) But it sounds, as you said, fascinating. I love sci-fi. I’m going to look into it (again?:confused: ).

theresa, I just saw How Firm a Foundation on a link that was on the other thread and it sounds interesting. A Protestent minister who converts to Catholicism, yes? Sort of autobiographical.

Mr. S, I’m going to look that book up on Amazon.

I found another book on Amazon.com that sounds interesting. It’s called A Case of Conscience by James Blish; about a priest who travels to a land that, without religion, has created the “perfect” society. The question becomes, is it too perfect? Is something sinister behind it?
 
Sola, I know you’re looking for Catholic fiction, but if you want a good read that doesn’t challenge the Faith, try Beverly Lewis’ novels set in Amish country. They’re a great way to learn about this culture within our culture and the stories are wonderful. They are definitely NOT proselytizing, like so many other Christian (Protestant) novels are.

BlueRose
 
Pray for me: I’m attempting to write a Catholic fiction book. Or maybe it should be called “fantasy”? I’ve been working on it all summer and hope to finish it in a decent amount of time. (Whenever THAT is haha!)

We need really good, interesting, crazy yet 100% Catholic books!!!
 
I too read Bud MacFarland’s “Pierced by the Sword”…I think he is a little “far out”…kinda like those “Left Behind” novels that seem to be popular today…But ok, go ahead and read his books…Just remember it’s fantasy!
Also, I have enjoyed Joe Girzone’s “Joshua” books…tho I recommended his books on another “Catholic” forum…I got kicked off, saying he was a heretic!! I don’t think so…and I wouldn’t go back to that forum…very closed minded…that’s not Catholic!!
I also enjoy reading books about the early Christians…try “The Treasury of Catholic Wisdom” … John A. Hardon, S.J…got all the writers from St.Ignatius of Antioch to Fulton Sheen…
So much to read…so little time…
I also have enjoyed Kathleen Norris…tho not a Catholic, she spent a year at St.John’s Benedictine monastery teaching the monks to sing the Psalms!!
How about Francine Rivers? also not a Catholic…but certainly a very good Christian…good reading.

Peace be with you.
Dave
 
In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden. She wasn’t a Catholic, but spent THREE YEARS at a Benedictine monastery in England to research her novel, which was inspired by the nuns of this monastery, and is magnificent.
 
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LilyOfTheFather:
In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden. She wasn’t a Catholic, but spent THREE YEARS at a Benedictine monastery in England to research her novel, which was inspired by the nuns of this monastery, and is magnificent.
Click to expand...
I’ve heard of this book by Rumer Godden on a couple of other book threads, so I definitely have to check it out!

bluerose, thank you for the suggestion. It sounds interesting, I’m sure the Amish culture is fascinating. How can they live without electricity and computers???

dave, also, thank you for the suggestions. Will look into Francine Rivers and the others you listed.

I hope other people will get some good ideas for all the recommendations here, too! Reading is such complex and nearly unfathomable gift from our Father.
 
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naprous:
You might enjoy Mary Doria Russell’s The Sparrow. I think of this book as “Jesuits in Space.”

The idea is that life on another nearby planet is discovered, and the Jesuits have both the desire and the money to go there. There’s a great deal about faith, and also about cultural understanding and misunderstanding.
Click to expand...
I read both that one, and its sequel Children of God. They’re both great–I am a Jesuit fan and a science fiction fan.

I know there are many who will disagree, but I don’t care. I like all Father Greeley’s novels, especially the Blackie Ryan ones. Also, see if you can find White Smoke, a novel of the next papal conclave. Also I liked all the William Kienzle novels (The Rosary Murders set).

John
 
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