Description
Book SynopsisAlthough many literary critics assert that the Catholic novel is in decline, Aiming at Heaven, Getting the Earth: The English Catholic Novel Today argues that there is still vitality in the English Catholic novel at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Marian Crowe relates this fiction to recent developments in the post-Vatican II Church and elucidates intriguing possibilities for future Catholic fiction. In addition to discussing the theory and history of the Catholic novel, the book provides an in-depth study of four contemporary English Catholic novelists: Alice Thomas Ellis, David Lodge, Sara Maitland, and Piers Paul Read, who are among the most talented and original Catholic novelists writing in England today. Three novels by each writer are analyzed with particular attention to Catholic themes.Aiming at Heaven, Getting the Earth is of great interest to scholars as well as general readers in contemporary literature.
Trade ReviewMarian Crowe persuasively argues the case for the Catholic novel in this enthusiastic and well-researched book. -- Ian Ker, University of Oxford
Table of ContentsChapter 1 The Theory of the Catholic Novel Chapter 2 The History of the Catholic Novel in England Chapter 3 The English Catholic Novel Today: Part 4 Alice Thomas Ellis Chapter 5 Strange Doings in Chelsea:The 27th Kingdom Chapter 6 In the Bleak Midwinter:The Birds of the Air Chapter 7 A Cosmic Comedian:Unexplained Laughter Part 8 David LodgeI Chapter 9 Intimations of Immortality:Paradise News Chapter 10 Re-Inventing Catholicism:How Far Can You Go? Chapter 11 Angst Meets Comedy:Therapy Part 12 Sara Maitland Chapter 13 Women of Faith:Daughter of Jerusalem Chapter 14 Through Wilderness to Freedom:Virgin TerritoryH Part 15 Piers Paul Read Chapter 16 Holding on to the Good: Brittle Joys Chapter 17 The Absurdity of Being Polish:Polonaise Chapter 18 A Rebel with a Cause:Monk Dawson Chapter 19 The Mystery of the Resurrection:On the Third Day Chapter 20 Conclusion: A Future for the English Catholic Novel?
