Articles

1. 

   Good Catastrophes, Part 3

   by Holly Ordway

   March 9, 2015 3:20 am Leave a Comment

     I’ve been arguing for the importance of a revitalized Catholic literature that is eucatastrophic, grounded in confidence of the truth of the Christian faith and nourished by the reality of the sacraments. I’ve repeatedly referenced Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings as an example of what we need to… Read more »

   Tags: Catholic literature eucatastrophe J.R.R. Tolkien recovery

2. 

   Good Catastrophes, Part 2

   by Holly Ordway

   March 4, 2015 3:13 pm 1 Comment

     What makes for vibrant Catholic literature? Is there something missing in Catholic literature today? A lively discussion on the subject has been unfolding over the past two years. Paul Elie started the discussion with a 2012 piece arguing that we are seeing a decline in serious engagement with faith…. Read more »

   Tags: Catholic literature Catholic writers Dana Gioia eucatastrophe Evelyn Waugh Gregory Wolfe J.R.R. Tolkien Roger Thomas writing

3. 

   Good Catastrophes and Renewing Catholic Literature

   by Holly Ordway

   January 9, 2015 8:00 am 8 Comments

     Eucatastrophe: in a word, this is what we need today, for a renewed, vibrant, and compelling Catholic literature. The word, coined by J.R.R. Tolkien in his great essay “On Fairy-stories,” means “the good catastrophe”: the unexpected happy ending, the turn from sorrow to joy. Tolkien’s own great work The… Read more »

   Tags: C.S. Lewis Catholic literature eucatastrophe Evelyn Waugh Flannery O'Connor Graham Greene Inklings J.R.R. Tolkien Walker Percy