Catholic Readers discussion

I'm wondering what members of this group consider to be the most important elements of a Catholic novel, and if there are rules a writer cannot violate. For example, The Exorcist deals with Catholicism, but is it a Catholic novel? Why or why not? Is The Godfather a Catholic novel? Thanks.

What a great question! It concerns me as a Catholic novelist, as my intention in writing Triptych was to make a significant contribution to Catholic literature. My central motif -- a medieval statue of the Virgin Mary -- clearly falls within Catholic parameters. But books that deal with Catholic-inspired images aren't necessarily "Catholic." I would say the following. Without being an apologist, the Catholic author explores issues of faith, the presence of sin, grace, and a sacramental understanding of life. What do you think?

Marcia, I'd agree with your assessment. As for my examples, I'm sure there are readers who would disqualify The Exorcist and The Godfather because of the level of violence and profanity. I tend to accept these as facts of life. However, I am wary about being too descriptive of violence or heavy-handed with profanity, since adding to the ugliness is not what Catholic writing is about.

I'm curious. Have you written a novel?

Two. The Lance and the Veil. https://www.amazon.com/Lance-Veil-adv...

Earthquake Weather https://www.amazon.com/Earthquake-Wea...

Third coming. I hope my reply doesn't violate group rules.

Thanks, Kevin. I ordered The Lance and the Veil. I'm intrigued with the idea -- what makes a novel Catholic? If you share my curiosity, I'll be happy to send you a copy of Triptych (also on Amazon), and I look forward to comparing and contrasting ideas.

I learned what a Catholic novel is by reading the fiction of Graham Greene, Rumor Godden, Chesterton, Evelyn Waugh, Sigret Undset, Morris L. West, Willa Cather, Francois Mauriac, Tolkien, John Powers, A.J. Cronin, Brian Moore, et al. The Catholic author brings a set of values to the story, a point of view, that transcends the content. Conflict in the conscience and its resolution is at the heart of the story, whatever else may be taking place in the outside world.

Excellent -- I love your explanation. I think there was a time when authors with Catholic sensibilities were published and read. Given my own experience, it is difficult for such writers to find agents and without agents, publishers are not championing serious writers exploring concerns that riveted the authors you mentioned. It could be that there isn't a large segment of the reading population to buy books that seriously consider the issues you raised. Thoughts?

Catholic fiction writing was once at the top of all fiction writing in this country. Have you ever read Mr. Blue? 1928. Check the best seller lists of the '40s and '50s. Something changed in the 60s. The support Catholic fiction writers received from the Church was withdrawn. Why? After that, Catholic book publishers limited their scope to non-fiction, prayer books, teaching manuals, etc. Yes, I agree, Marcia, readers haven't changed. They still want a good story.

I loved Sheila's list of Catholic fiction writers. I'm sure she meant to include Flannery O'Connor, an author who is not disqualified by a level of violence. The Catholic element is often a background in Catholic fiction, rather than the explicit theme. This is what I have tried to keep to in my books, at any rate.

Thanks, Jacob. I was hoping others would add to the list. I'll add CS Lewis because he influenced so many Christian authors. Who else? Also, Catholic writers tend to be familiar with classical writing: the Greeks, Romans, Biblical writers, Shakespeare, on and on. Their writing has heft. It is not shallow. They are first and foremost, excellent writers.

I'll add Taylor Caldwell, Walker Percy and Ron Hansen to the list just for funzies.

Kevin, excellent adds,and thanks.

Sheila, yes, the 1960s changed the Catholic literary and artistic landscape. Thanks to a misguided interpretation of Vatican II, churches cleared out traditional statues, engaged minimalist architects, and ignored contemporary artists. There was also a rise of a social justice movement which was fine in itself but this movement didn't invite or encourage creativity. I imagine the majority of parishes have Social Justice Committees and hardly any have arts committees. Thus the church has ignored a potential avenue to change people's hearts and minds. Ironically, the secular materialist world is quite persuasive in utilizing images and words. Sadly, I see Catholic influence will continue to decline, as neither the hierarchy nor the people in the pews support and encourage Catholic writers and artists (and to some extent, composers) in disseminating faith. One other influence: despite the lip service the church gives to the role of the laity, I can personally testify that priests and religious orders act if they are being intruded on. (My experience: publisher of Christianity and the Arts, dramatist who performed saints' lives, novelist, and artist working on an interpretation of the Communion of Saints.)

Marcia, I appreciate you bringing up this absorbing topic. My observation, having lived through the upheaval of the 60's, is that the questions of morality that arose somehow affected Catholic publishing in a specific way. How? Why? Catholic fiction had dealt with moral issues since its inception. Something about the 60's intimidated or scared publishers. Did profits diminish? Did best sellers stop selling? I think the answers are complex and unresolved to this day, but that doesn't stop me from infusing my work with a Catholic point of view.

I would like to add Michael O’Brien to the list!

Sheila -- you are a writer, too. I would like to read some of your work. If you wish to trade books, that would be great. Regarding the list of notable Catholic writers -- wonderful list -- but how many are living? Just a precious few.

Good addition, Matthew. Thanks. which of his books do you recommend?

Marcia, let's do that. Please email me at: sheila.giftcounselorbook@gmail.com so we can work out details.

Bishop Robert Barron has embarked on a true crusade to evangelize through beauty and the arts. The seasonal journals from his Word on Fire ministry are breathtakingly beautiful in their content and scope.

To Marcia’s point, how many parishes have Catholic book clubs where great works by Catholic writers can be introduced, read and discussed? Where I live, the Presbyterian and Unitarian churches have well-attended book clubs. The two Catholic Churches have none.

Frances, hi, thanks for your comment. Bishop Barron is doing wonderful work for the arts. I've done significant outreach to Catholic parishes across the country. True, not every parish has a book club. More than half the parishes I've contacted read only spiritual classics, no fiction. Nonetheless, those that have selected my novels have enjoyed them. I've also had good results with book clubs run by my Catholic college alumni groups.

Marcia wrote: "Sheila, yes, the 1960s changed the Catholic literary and artistic landscape. Thanks to a misguided interpretation of Vatican II, churches cleared out traditional statues, engaged minimalist archite..."
I completely agree that good fiction from a Catholic viewpoint can change hearts and minds!

Marcia wrote: "Sheila, yes, the 1960s changed the Catholic literary and artistic landscape. Thanks to a misguided interpretation of Vatican II, churches cleared out traditional statues, engaged minimalist archite..."
I completely agree that good fiction from a Catholic viewpoint can change hearts and minds!

Kaye, can you recommend any Catholic fiction writers not yet mentioned here and their book titles?

Thanks, Sheila. I would recommend any of his books, but especially the "Children of the Last Days" series by Michael D. O'Brien. I have read them all and loved every one of them. His work is what comes to mind immediately when considering a good Catholic novel. Although, admittedly, I haven't read as many Catholic novels as I would like to, so I'm enjoying this particular thread. Keep those suggestions coming!

Thanks, Matthew, for taking the time to reply. Word of mouth is the best way to support a book.

Silence, by Shusaku Endo

Death Comes for the Archbishop, by Willa Cather

Actually, there are many--still living and writing. Dena Hunt, Treason; Michelle Buckman, Rachel's Contrition; Arthur Powers, The Book of Jotham; Cynthia Toney, The Other Side of Freedom; Karen Ullo, Jennifer the Damned; and of course :) my latest novel, Absence. All can be found on Amazon. And there are many other wonderful Catholic writers, all striving to shine out their faith in
beautiful words and stories.

Thanks, Kaye and Frances.
We have an excellent list going of new and classic Catholic fiction authors. To support Catholic writers, we can pray for each other. Also we can buy these books, borrow them from libraries or request they be made available, donate a copy to a parish library, get them reviewed, post comments on goodreads and other sites, give them as gifts, prizes, and hostess gifts and propose them to our book clubs.

(One year after the preceding comment)

If this topic is still live: I think the short answer to the question is, that a novel - or any other kind of narrative - is Catholic if it has a Catholic ethos.

So LOTR is a Catholic book, because its ethos, its animating spirit & world-view, is Catholic. Even though there is no Catholic “furniture” in it - the story is set in an imagined Earthly past thousands of years before real recorded history began.

(Note to mods) If this post is too late, please delete it. Thanks.