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jean18uni
Guest
I second that (even tho’ I’m not done reading it…!!
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TRUEBELIEVER
Guest
Hi,
I’m new to the forum. Has anyone read The “Brother Cadfael Chronicles” By Ellis Peters? I do not know if the author is Catholic or not but the main character is a Benedictine Monk who solves murder mysteries in 11th century England, and the church seems to be portrayed in a favorable light. They are an excellent read.
I’m new to the forum. Has anyone read The “Brother Cadfael Chronicles” By Ellis Peters? I do not know if the author is Catholic or not but the main character is a Benedictine Monk who solves murder mysteries in 11th century England, and the church seems to be portrayed in a favorable light. They are an excellent read.
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Mijoy2
Guest
I think C.S. Lewis “The Great Divorce” would apply here. C.S.Lewis never actually became a Catholic 9I understand) but the book talks of purgatory. It does not precisely follow Catholic doctrine I suppose but it is a wonderful read and a quick one at that. Delightful as are all of Lewis’s books (my opinion)
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Makerteacher
Guest
Chris C.:
Chris C.:
Second the nomination for anything by Tolkien or Lewis, or Michael O Brien.
I second the nominations also for the Louis de Wohl books. I have read the ones on Thomas Aquinas and Catherine of Sienna and am now about 1/3 of the way through “The Restless Flame” about St. Augustine. Spiritually they are POWERFUL, and also good reading.
Amen amen amen, a must read!~
Chris C.:
This book was instrumental in my conversion to the Catholic Faith. It remains one of my favorites.
Second the nomination for anything by Tolkien or Lewis, or Michael O Brien.
I second the nominations also for the Louis de Wohl books. I have read the ones on Thomas Aquinas and Catherine of Sienna and am now about 1/3 of the way through “The Restless Flame” about St. Augustine. Spiritually they are POWERFUL, and also good reading.
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Makerteacher
Guest
PBS also made the Cadfael mysteries into a wonderful TV series, and we can rent segments of it on video at our local library. Check at yours! Even our teenaged son likes them. Yes they are very Catholic friendly, and the lead character is presented as a smart, sincere, no nonsense kind of guy whose piety is truly lived out. Love these!
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Makerteacher
Guest
Just finished that one myself. It’s obviously written by a youth (the author was 15 when he wrote it) but it is a good story, though complete with magic and elves and so forth. Not overtly Catholic at all, in fact there seems to be a real dearth of ritual or religion in the society he has created. ALL my middle school students loved it and fought over it this past spring. It’s designed to be the first in a trilogy, apparently.
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Makerteacher
Guest
I just REread that for the second time: a good story, and chock full of great apologetics thoughts too. Worth the time, and well written.
One of my favorite topics! I think someone suggested Mary Higgins Clark… she is an AWESOME suspense writer (I usually finish one of her books in a day, and woe is me if I have to get up early the next day!)
Her books are considered “romantic suspense”. There is a romance (usually chaste… the only ones that fall short on this mark are “Weep No More, My Lady” and “Stillwatch”) and nearly all of her heroines, especially in her most recent books, are practicing Catholics. Even as they are in peril from trying to solve a mystery or murder, you will see them going to Mass and making reference to their Catholic faith and upbringing. Mrs. Clark’s memoir, “Kitchen Priveleges” is also a wonderful book.
Beverly Lewis has written several wonderful books that are set in the Amish culture (and people think CATHOLICS are too rigid
)! Jan Karon is another great author (the “Mitford” series) and Thomas Kinkaid, the “painter of light” also has a series out (co-written with Katherine Spencer) beginning with “Cape Light”. It is Evangelical Christian in its scope but not concerned with bashing other religions (which are never mentioned), so they make a good light read.
And for a thoroughly Catholic novel, may I recommend “The Lost Years” by Petra A. Bennett. She is my mother-in-law and this is her first novel (she is currently working on the sequel) and she may be contacted at Immaculate Heart of Mary Shop @505-630-9707.
Enjoy!
Her books are considered “romantic suspense”. There is a romance (usually chaste… the only ones that fall short on this mark are “Weep No More, My Lady” and “Stillwatch”) and nearly all of her heroines, especially in her most recent books, are practicing Catholics. Even as they are in peril from trying to solve a mystery or murder, you will see them going to Mass and making reference to their Catholic faith and upbringing. Mrs. Clark’s memoir, “Kitchen Priveleges” is also a wonderful book.
Beverly Lewis has written several wonderful books that are set in the Amish culture (and people think CATHOLICS are too rigid
)! Jan Karon is another great author (the “Mitford” series) and Thomas Kinkaid, the “painter of light” also has a series out (co-written with Katherine Spencer) beginning with “Cape Light”. It is Evangelical Christian in its scope but not concerned with bashing other religions (which are never mentioned), so they make a good light read.And for a thoroughly Catholic novel, may I recommend “The Lost Years” by Petra A. Bennett. She is my mother-in-law and this is her first novel (she is currently working on the sequel) and she may be contacted at Immaculate Heart of Mary Shop @505-630-9707.
Enjoy!
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Alberich
Guest
Good recommendation, I thought I would have seen it earlier!
Another recommendation: Anything (fiction) by Umberto Eco. I particularly recommend “The Name of the Rose” and “The Island of the Day Before.” (Also, his non-fiction works are well worth reading as well, especially “Serendipities.”)
Fred
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Grayton
Guest
Chris C.:
While I do not pretend to be a well-read guy, I heard the late Dr. William Marra (host of the 1980s radio program, “Where Catholics Meet”) say that Kristen Lavransdatter was the greatest work of literature of the 20th century!
If you like mysteries, there is a great Catholic novel by Muriel Sparks called “Memento Mori” It is about elderly people who are getting phone calls from Death.
A very worthwhile pro-life novel is “Children of Men” by P. D. James (I am not positive, but I recall the perspective is High Anglican rather than Catholic). The plot imgines a time when children mysteriously cease to be born.
Kristen Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset is the best work of fiction I ever read by any author, male or female. And her Master of Hestvikenis superb as well.
While I do not pretend to be a well-read guy, I heard the late Dr. William Marra (host of the 1980s radio program, “Where Catholics Meet”) say that Kristen Lavransdatter was the greatest work of literature of the 20th century!
If you like mysteries, there is a great Catholic novel by Muriel Sparks called “Memento Mori” It is about elderly people who are getting phone calls from Death.
A very worthwhile pro-life novel is “Children of Men” by P. D. James (I am not positive, but I recall the perspective is High Anglican rather than Catholic). The plot imgines a time when children mysteriously cease to be born.
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LauraL
Guest
All of Rumer Godden’s work is lovely, although In This House of Brede is my favorite. She’s also a convert to the Faith.
I also love reading The Nun’s Story and almost anything by William Barrett, A.J. Cronin, Elizabeth Goudge… you almost have to go back a generation or two to get good writing any more, don’t you?
I’m going to be checking out these contemporary writers y’all have mentioned, like Walker Percy. Haven’t read any of his work yet, but you make me want to!
I also love reading The Nun’s Story and almost anything by William Barrett, A.J. Cronin, Elizabeth Goudge… you almost have to go back a generation or two to get good writing any more, don’t you?
I’m going to be checking out these contemporary writers y’all have mentioned, like Walker Percy. Haven’t read any of his work yet, but you make me want to!
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7andcounting
Guest
Check out Edwin O’Connor. Another “obscure” Catholic writer, but his “All In the Family”, “The Last Hurrah” and “Edge of Sadness” about a depressed former alcoholic priest are very…real. Worth finding at an old bookstore. They are out of print as far as I know.
Also, just my unsolicited opinion of Bud MacFarlane. I loved the books and gave many away. I won’t support him anymore because he left his wife and children and is divorcing Bai. Very ugly and very
un-Catholic.
I pray that he changes his mind, because I think Catholicity has touched many lives and led to many conversions.
Chesterton, Greene, Lewis, ditto!
Also, just my unsolicited opinion of Bud MacFarlane. I loved the books and gave many away. I won’t support him anymore because he left his wife and children and is divorcing Bai. Very ugly and very
un-Catholic.
I pray that he changes his mind, because I think Catholicity has touched many lives and led to many conversions.
Chesterton, Greene, Lewis, ditto!
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theresa
Guest
I second this vote. How Firm a Foundation was a very good book. It usually takes me at least a month to finish a book, but I read this one in a few days. An entertaining book and I learned from it, too.
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Grayton
Guest
I agree. However, I think a word of caution may be in order. Anyone who is not familiar with Flannery O’Connor may be surprised to discover how dark is her fiction.
I liked it, but (judging from some of the posts I read in this forum) if you have problems with Harry Potter books, you may have trouble accepting Flannery O’Connor’s work.
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stretch
Guest
THIS IS GREAT!!! I wanted to offer some suggestions and instead found many ideas for myself!
Anyway, everything else I was going to suggest having already been mentioned, I will give you the name of the author of A Miracle for St.Cecelia’s. (Who also wrote a sequel to it; A Gathering of Angels) Katherine Valentine
Anyway, everything else I was going to suggest having already been mentioned, I will give you the name of the author of A Miracle for St.Cecelia’s. (Who also wrote a sequel to it; A Gathering of Angels) Katherine Valentine
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Mama_Beak
Guest
For a simple story with a message about Divine Mercy, try “Windmill Gardens” by Carol Ann Tardiff. It was just published and is available at www.bbotw.com. A runaway girl, a beautiful garden and a gardener who has a deep love for Jesus and the Catholic Church. The Eucharist, confession, the rosary - all touched on as the story proceeds. The story shows how it is possible to live a holy life amidst the everyday circumstances of life. It would be a great book to give to loved ones who no longer practice their faith. AND - it’s been endorsed by Teresa Tomeo, talk show host at Detroit’s Ave Maria radio!
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JMJ1111
Guest
I watched with interest the EWTN interview with Nicholas Sparks, and impressed that a popular author did not have to resort to vulgarity to sell books. I just had the opportunity to read The Notebook, and I am at the end of the story as I write this message. I have a few comments to make, mostly concerning the implicit endorsement of Nicholas Sparks on EWTN and also about the book itself. It is a beautiful and moving story written with great insight. I was surprised that the author needed to or decided to include sexually explicit passages. This is never necessary. However, I would not be writing this had the author not been featured on EWTN. I am sure many young people who trust EWTN for conservative Catholic guidance would be totally confused when a Catholic program recommends an author whose most popular book contains material that would be considered an occasion of sin for most normal readers. I can say with certainty that Mother Angelica would NEVER read these passages on her program. God bless Nicholas Sparks for the good in his work, but I would like an explanation for the promotion of his books by EWTN without reservation.
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violetandgandal
Guest
" It is a beautiful and moving story written with great insight. I was surprised that the author needed to or decided to include sexually explicit passages. This is never necessary. However, I would not be writing this had the author not been featured on EWTN. I am sure many young people who trust EWTN for conservative Catholic guidance would be totally confused when a Catholic program recommends an author whose most popular book contains material that would be considered an occasion of sin for most normal readers. I can say with certainty that Mother Angelica would NEVER read these passages on her program."
I don’t know how to make these quotes yellow and in boxes.
A little while ago I read a question a student posed on the apologetic part of the forum about having to read The Great Gatsby for English class and wondering why they weren’t given a better book to read. The person who answered recommended that the student find a copy of a book written by a Catholic couple—Irving and Cornelia Süssman— who used to teach literature at Berkley. It’s called How to Read a Dirty Book. I’ve read the book (gotten through interlibrary loan). It’s excellent. One must take into consideration what the author’s purpose is in writing a particular piece of literature. The Great Gatsby was written to demonstrate “what profit a man if he gain the whole world but lose his soul”.
The book helps one to understand the difference between smutty stuff and good classic literature that happens to have some “dirty” parts to it. One must read a book as a whole and not discount a book just because it has some explicit material in it. Literature is supposed to show life as it is and all of life is not beautiful or spotless. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who reads.
Mary Fran
I don’t know how to make these quotes yellow and in boxes.
A little while ago I read a question a student posed on the apologetic part of the forum about having to read The Great Gatsby for English class and wondering why they weren’t given a better book to read. The person who answered recommended that the student find a copy of a book written by a Catholic couple—Irving and Cornelia Süssman— who used to teach literature at Berkley. It’s called How to Read a Dirty Book. I’ve read the book (gotten through interlibrary loan). It’s excellent. One must take into consideration what the author’s purpose is in writing a particular piece of literature. The Great Gatsby was written to demonstrate “what profit a man if he gain the whole world but lose his soul”.
The book helps one to understand the difference between smutty stuff and good classic literature that happens to have some “dirty” parts to it. One must read a book as a whole and not discount a book just because it has some explicit material in it. Literature is supposed to show life as it is and all of life is not beautiful or spotless. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who reads.
Mary Fran
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monica_fan
Guest
Thanks for asking this question, Riabia and thanks to everyone for the wonderful suggestions. I’ve written them all down for the next time I go to a bookstore or library. I like Janette Oak and Catherine Marshall’s books but theirs are of a evangelical nature also.
riabia:
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Chickamauga
Guest
I will third this vote. Marcus Grodi’s novel was a great read. During the week I read it I would be at work and think: “I can’t wait for quiting time so I can go home and read Marcus.”
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