Exploring Catholic Literature

Mary Reichardt is professor of Catholic Studies and English at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota. An accomplished literary critic, she is also the author of the Encyclopedia of Catholic Literature (forthcoming).

How refreshing! In the midst of so much critical cant, here is for once a true 'resource guide'. Remarkably transparent, it doesn't flaunt Reichardt's personal agenda or sophisticated style. As clearly, precisely and concisely as possible, it presents twelve texts in their own light, after a short introduction to their authors. This does not keep Reichardt from demonstrating their potential as launching pads for serious religious discussion. Her astute choice of works for this anthology reflects much classroom experience. All of them are highly teachable: attractive, personal, non-dogmatic, full of questions, they involve their reader inextricably and openly into exploring fundamental and challenging dimensions of Catholicism. Reichardt's analyses demonstrate the value of such literature for deepening one's grasp of this incarnational and sacramental tradition. Here is indeed an excellent tool for a new generation attempting to reclaim the right to a Catholic reading of literature.

• Chapter 1 The Confessions of St. AugustineChapter 2 The Cloud of UnknowingChapter 3 Revelations of Divine LoveChapter 4 The Divine ComedyChapter 5 Selected PoetryChapter 6 Kristin LavransdatterChapter 7 The Power and the GloryChapter 8 Brideshead RevisitedChapter 9 Everything That Rises Must ConvergeChapter 10 Holy the FirmChapter 11 Deep RiverChapter 12 The Stream and the Sapphire