In this talk, we consider why literature is important for all people and especially for Catholics. We then look to American Literature, Catholic Literature, and American Catholic Literature - focusing on such authors as Willa Cather, F Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Walker Percy, and Flannery O'Connor.
The handout of book recommendations is below, and Fr Ryan's series of courses on American Catholic Literature with many handouts can be found [here]!
Listen online [here]!
In our fifth and final session of this course, we look to the spiritual writings of Catholic authors of the USA.
Most particularly, we consider the writings of the early missionaries, and then those of Dorothy Day and Fulton Sheen.
Catholic Literature of the USA
The Catholic Influence on American Literature
Some Recommended Book Lists
Don’t read good books, or else you won’t have time for the great books! (Fr Raymond Nyquist)
In this fourth session of the Catholic influence on American Literature, we consider the contributions of devoutly Catholic American authors. Looking at a number of the more well known figures like Flannery O'Connor and Walker Percy, we then consider others like Walter Miller jr, John Kennedy Toole, and Andre Dubus.
In this third session, we consider the Catholic influence on two of the great American authors: F Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. Fitzgerald strayed far from the Catholic faith of his youth, while Hemingway converted as an adult and remained a "bad" Catholic throughout his life. The Catholic foundation of these two authors is far too overlooked.
We also comment on Cormac McCarthy, another lapsed Catholic.
In this session, we look to certain non-Catholic authors who have many Catholic characters and themes. Most especially, we consider Henry James and Willa Cather.
Also, some lists of American authors and books are offered.
In this series, we discuss literature and especially the Catholic influence on American Literature - especially in honor of the 250th Anniversary of the Nation.
Our first class discusses the importance of literature and also gives various recommendations of great book lists -- Catholic authors, American authors, and a list of the great books that should be read.