Read Any Good Catholic Fiction Lately?

By Lisa M. Hendey
©Catholic Online 2005

I love reading, and especially love it when I come across a book that is both entertaining and positive in its presentation of Catholicism. Kathryn Lively's latest, Pithed (Mundania Press, September 2004, paperback, 128 pages) is a captivating mystery set in a Florida public high school. Readers quickly meet the main character, Andy Farmer, a curmudgeonly Biology teacher who finds himself at the center of a murder mystery.

What made Pithed such a refreshing read for me was not necessarily the unraveling murder plot, but rather Lively's main character - a loveable, but very human, Roman Catholic. Andy Farmer represents many of the qualities of faith I strive for, while remaining flawed enough that he's real. His retort, when questioned by a detective about the controversies in today's Church, endears him to me even more.

"I stay Catholic because the teaching is perfect and that helps me to pray for those who aren't."

"People like me, I suppose?"

"People like me," I replied.

Pithed, pg. 30

Without preaching or pontification, Kathryn Lively shares her devotion to her faith through the individuality of Andy Farmer. While learning about such aspects of his personality as his devotion to his students and his tense history with an ambitious principal, Catholic readers will pick up on the fact that he's devoted to Eucharistic Adoration and that when troubling times crop up, Andy's first reaction is to swing by his home parish, St. Maximilian's.

Pithed marks the first in what is promised to be a series of mysteries featuring Andy Farmer. Mystery genre devotees (whether Catholic or not) will enjoy the book for Lively's fast paced plot, intelligent wit, and a mystery that keeps you guessing. For Catholic readers like me, the book is an example of spreading our Catholic faith in a positive, celebratory manner. I'm looking forward to reading Kathryn Lively's next book, and more great fiction featuring real Catholic characters.

For more information about Pithed visit http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1594260923/catholicmomcom

______________________

Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons, webmaster of < href=http://www.catholicmom.com target=_blank>www.catholicmom.com and www.christiancoloring.com, and an avid reader of Catholic fiction and non-fiction.

Contact

CatholicMom.com
http://www.catholicmom.com CA, US
Lisa Hendey - webmaster, 559 5551212

Email

lisa@catholicmom.com

Keywords

Catholic, fiction

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 4,716

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain

Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul

A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell

My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz

Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell

Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online

Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online

Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online

State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online

Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online

2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online

Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online

Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online

Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online

Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online

Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online

Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online

Full Circle
Robert Gieb

Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite

Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony

Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell

World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online

Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA

Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online

A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe

Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly

Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard

The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely

Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow

A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow

Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea

Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard

Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol

Edging God Out
Paul Sposite

Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow

George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online

Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell

Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey

Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite

Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol

Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol

Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online

Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online

Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online

Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online

Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online

Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online

Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »