Good Catholic Fiction?

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Well, that took care of a question I was pondering myself. I have my list and now to see if I can find any of it at the library.
 
I just bought The Betrothed, by Alessandro Manzoni (translated from Italian). I haven’t started it yet but it was recommended on another forum as the best Catholic novel EVER.

If you like historical fiction, the Kristin Lavransdatter series by Sigrid Undset is excellent. They are set in medieval Norway. very Catholic. She’s a Nobel prize winner.

I like Ralph MacInnery (Father Dowling and Notre Dame series) for light reading too.
 
Some other really good Catholic Fiction:

Willa Cather’s My Ántonia

Willa Cather’s “Death Comes for the Archbishop”

Ron Hansen’s “Atticus”

Graham Greene - “The Heart of the Matter”
 
There’s a trilogy that I totally love, called The Deed of Paksenarrion, by Elizabeth Moon. It’s not Catholic, and it is a fantasy world with its own set of religions. If you’re strong in your faith, though, I think you can read this and end up with a deeper love of God and Catholicism. It’s brought me closer. I can see a lot of parallels with Paksenarrion and some saints. There is a martial theme–she is a warrior in a mercenary company–, and some adult subjects, so it may not be for everyone. It’s extremely well written, and my favorite book.
 
Try just-published “Windmill Gardens” by Carol Ann Tardiff. You can find it at www.bbotw.com. A runaway girl, a beautiful garden, and a gardener who has a deep love for Jesus and the Catholic Church. A simple story, it encompasses the Divine Mercy message and shows that an ordinary person can live a life of holiness amidst the ordinary circumstances of life. The Eucharist, confession, rosary - all touched on! It would be great to give to a loved one who no longer practices his/her faith. AND - it’s been endorsed by Teresa Tomeo, talk show host of Detroit’s Ave Maria radio!
 
don’t forget Flannery O’Connor!! Her novels and short stories are great. Few of the characters are Catholic, but the themes are deeply Catholic. Plus she knows how to tell a story! I’d recommend “Wise Blood” and the collection of all her short stories, which is available in one book.
 
“Silence” by Shusaku Endo (Catholic)
“Mariette in Ecstasy” by Ron Hansen (Catholic)
“A Stay Against Confusion: Essays on Faith and Fiction” by Ron Hansen (Catholic, Non-Fiction)
"Les Miserables"by Victor Hugo (A classic!)
Anything by Michael O’Brien (Catholic)
Anything by C.S. Lewis (darn nearly Catholic)
Anything by JRR Tolkien (Catholic)

I could go on I guess. Some of my favorites aren’t Catholic at all though. Like Pearl S. Buck’s “The Good Earth”, JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series. I guess my tastes run the gamit.
 
I just posted in another thread that I am reading
Pierced By a Sword by Bud MacFarlane, Jr.
The inside cover states that MANY people have read this book, so have you read it and what did you think of it?
I got the book in the mail yesterday and I am already on page 166 out of 571. (So don’t give out too much of the plot for me!)

I also have two other books by Bud that I will be reading next Conceived Without Sin & House of Gold

Go with God!
Edwin
 
Graham Greene, Flannery OConnor, Walker Percy, Kathleen Norris, Rumer Godden (also try 5 for sorrow 10 for joy, anything she writes is good especially her kid books) Sigrid Undeset, Willa Cather, Pear S. Buck, Carson McCullers, Chesterton’s Fr. Brown stories, some of my favorite authors some CAtholic, some deal with Catholic themes and sensibilities.
 
I have to support MrS’s recommendation for A Philadelphia Catholic in King James’ Court . It’s one of my favorites. I couldn’t get into the Bud MacFarlane books, though.

Peace,
Linda
 
re Bud Macfarlane’s books - I read “Pierced by a Sword” 5 yrs ago and really didn’t like it. Too much apocalyptic stuff - it sounded just like a Catholic version of the LEft Behind nonsense.
 
Philadelphia Catholic in King James Court

An Apologetics nove

By Martin De Porres Kennedy

EXCELLENT BOOOK

Under the Mercy,

Matthew
 
Please tell me somebody didn’t suggest Harry Potter. There are actual demonic incantations in the books and movies. STAY AWAY!!

Anyway, Have you tried GK Chesterton. I am going to start reading his work. He is one of the greats, …and totally Catholic.

peace
 
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Monicathree:
Please tell me somebody didn’t suggest Harry Potter. There are actual demonic incantations in the books and movies. STAY AWAY!!
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Actually, I didn’t recommend them I just noted that my taste run wide in literature. I love the classics, modern children’s lit, poetry, etc. From “The Good Earth” to “Father Elijah” to Harry Potter.

And please, tell where these “actual demonic incantations” are in HP. Bastardized Latin and made up words like “alohamora” (as in “aloha” Hawaiian for hello) aren’t demonic incantations.
 
Patrick Madrid actually gave me that information at a seminar here in town. If you would like the specific ones, you’ll have to give me a little while. I myself have not read any of the books and I only saw first one, before coming back to the church.

I am not trying to insult you, I just myself was surprised when I found out that it is something, for kids esp., that we need to watch out for, that’s all.

He actually said it and I thinks it was something like…
“Dragone, Dragone…” Translated something like dark demon or dragon…I have no idea, but he knows his stuff and thats all I needed to hear.

Peace
 
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Monicathree:
He actually said it and I thinks it was something like…“Dragone, Dragone…” Translated something like dark demon or dragon…I have no idea, but he knows his stuff and thats all I needed to hear.
Click to expand...
I am really surprised that Patrick would say that. There is nothing like that in any of the five books. The closest thing I can come up with is the name “Draco Malfoy”. Draco is a young villain of sorts. He is a bully at the school and belongs to the house (sort of like a fraternity) associated with evil.

I am not picking on you Monicathree, at all. I just get irritated when I hear stuff like that, because it is blatantly untrue. It’s a lot like the stuff I used to hear before I was Catholic, about Catholics, from people who knew nothing about Catholics, but because some “ex-priest” came to their church and told them this stuff they believed it. I could never convince them to go to the source because they had heard all these lies, and that was “good enough” for them.
 
Hey Amber,

I don’t want to overtake the thread. But I don’t believe that Patrick Madrid would create something like that. Oh, and it must have been then from the movies. Anyway, what I’ll try to do is get the specific curses or incantations from him that he used and where they are found for you. And, I don’t think your picking on me at all 🙂 .

I am so excited, my husband and I picked up our first 3 G.K. Chesterton books today 👍

Peace
 
Please do get back to me on that. I have seen the movies and there is nothing like that in them either. Maybe you heard him incorrectly? As soon as you find out private message me or start a new thread.

I love GK Chesterton. I think he and CS Lewis had this wonderful sense of humor and a great deal of common sense. sigh… we need more writers like that.
 
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