Catholic Fiction

Cheapskates and Jimmy Bench Press by Charlie Stella

Steve Weatherbe — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:00:34 PST

reviewed by Steve Weatherbe Wow, just after finishing Pelecanos’ The Cut, I come across someone writing in a similar vein, Charlie Stella. I’ve read two of his novels now. Cheapskates and Jimmy Bench Press, set in Brooklyn, and sharing many of the same characters, though not the same protagonists, which is Pelecanos’s style too. The heroes [...]

Warning Miracle by John Klee

Tannia Ortiz-Lopes — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:29:27 PST

reviewed by Tannia Ortiz-Lopes Warning Miracle is the first book of the Right in Front series by John Klee. It is a futuristic story based on the Apparitions of our Lady of Carmel in Garabandal, Spain and her messages to 12-year-old Conchita Gonzalez from 1961 to 1965. [N.B.: This apparition has not received Church approval. There are documents about [...]

The Cut by George Pelecanos

Steve Weatherbe — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:09:30 PST

reviewed by Steve Weatherbe I’ve read several novels by George Pelecanos, all dark, all thrillers, all set in poorer parts of Washington D.C., but I never expected to be reviewing one of them for this site. That’s because Pelecanos has never shown much interest in the Christian faith, neither as a belief of his protoganists [...]

Tristan’s Travels by Karl Bjorn Erickson

Jody Rakis — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 08:53:27 PST

TRISTAN’S TRAVELS illustrated by Kimberly Erickson reviewed by Jody Rakis Tristan’s Travels is written for young adults. It’s the story of a seagull who thinks of himself as part chicken since he was adopted by a hen when he was young. He had been hit by an airplane propeller while flying and now is afraid to try [...]

The Red Priest’s Annina by Sarah Bruce Kelly

Arthur Powers — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:22:42 PST

reviewed by Arthur Powers 1721. Mantua. Fourteen year old Annina Giró’s talent for singing is recognized by the Duke of Massa Carrara, who offers to sponsor her studies. Leaving her family, she goes to Venice, hoping to study with Antonio Vivaldi—priest and composer—called the “red priest” because of the color of his hair. In Venice, [...]

Along the River Road by Isaac Morris

Ellen Gable Hrkach — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 08:36:14 PST

[You didn't enter a valid video URL. Please try again.] reviewed by Ellen Gable Hrkach Along the River Road by Isaac Morris is a compelling read and, for the most part, I enjoyed it. The author tackles the controversial issue of priest sex abuse and, overall, I think he did a good job. The novel [...]

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

John Murphy — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:58:11 PST

reviewed by John Murphy First published in 1890, The Picture of Dorian Gray remains a puzzling, paradoxical book. Camille Paglia called it “a web of Romantic fascination, a force field of Apollonian and daemonic charisma.” Joyce Carol Oates called it “knotted, convoluted, brilliantly enigmatic.” Wilde’s only novel continues to exert its curious, possibly unwholesome influence. [...]

Sons of Cain by Val Bianco

Jody Rakis — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:11:39 PST

reviewed by Jody Rakis Sons of Cainis Catholic fiction that completely fills that title. An ancient group of twelve unspeakably powerful men are prepared to implement mass suicide in the United States. Already in control of the Congress and the Presidency, all that they lack is the Supreme Court. The only thing standing between these “Sons [...]

The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Rebecca Barclay — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:03:20 PST

reviewed by Rebecca Barclay It is helpful to know Dosteovsky’s aim in The Idiot before digging into the book itself. Dosteovsky writes, For a long time already there was an idea that had been bothering me, but I was afraid to make a novel out of it because it was a very difficult idea and [...]

The Arms of Love by Carmen Marcoux

Bonnie Way — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:48:24 PST

reviewed by Bonnie Way Joanie Collins is the oldest of eight kids in a strong, Catholic family. She’s starting her first day of work as a journalist reporter with the local TV station when she catches the eye of Brandon Vaughn—the station’s commercial producer and resident “womanizer.” Brandon’s charm and good looks put Joanie off guard and leave her [...]