SUGGESTED BOOKS
REBECCA
Daphne Du Maurier
On a trip to the South of France, the shy heroine of Rebecca falls in love with Maxim de Winter, a handsome widower. Although his proposal comes as a surprise, she happily agrees to marry him. But as they arrive at her husband's home, Manderley everything changes...
A classic suspenseful novel about the power of distrust and suspicion in life.
BRIDESHEAD REVISITED
Evelyn Waugh
Brideshead Revisited follows Charles Ryder, an agnostic artist, who becomes drawn into the world of the Flyte family, an English aristocratic household deeply rooted in Catholicism. Through his friendship with Sebastian Flyte, Charles is introduced to Brideshead Castle, a symbol of divine grace and spiritual beauty.
The Flyte family members each embody different responses to faith: Sebastian struggles with alcoholism and wavering belief; his sister Julia is torn between love and religious duty; their mother Lady Marchmain exemplifies devout Catholic piety.
Charles’s encounters with the Flytes reveal the mysterious workings of Providence as grace gently guides flawed souls. In fact, the story explores how grace operates quietly amid human weakness, inviting readers to reflect on their own spiritual journeys.
Topics of the book: Beauty of the catholic faith. Power of the grace of God and Providence. The operation of divine grace on a group of diverse but closely connected characters. Grace guides our life, writing straight with the crooked lines and lives of the flawed human beings. Suffering is essential to the growth of the soul.
FRANKENSTEIN
Mary Shelley
Is one of the most influential novels of the nineteenth century and is quite relevant today. What is the role of science and the scientific community? Does mankind have the right to manipulate nature? Have today’s scientists developed a moral system to match their speculative knowledge? Or will they, like Victor Frankenstein, discover too late that they simply have an unhealthy, prideful curiosity? The questions posed by Mary Shelley still need to be addressed in contemporary society. We are the creatures, not the Creator. This must always be kept in mind if we are to avoid the mistakes made by Victor Frankenstein.
THE SHADOW OF THE FATHER
Jan Dobraczynski
Jan Dobraczynski tells the story of St Joseph's life in the form of a novel. He uses the evocative image of a shadow to define Joseph. In his relationship to Jesus, Joseph was the earthly shadow of the heavenly Father: he watched over him and protected him, never leaving him to go his own way. This book is an excellent way to live well this year dedicated to St Joseph.
THE ROAD
Cormac McCarthy
The Road is a deeply moving story about a father and son travelling through a desolate, post-apocalyptic landscape covered in ash, where society has descended into chaos. The pair travel south, seeking warmer climates and safety while evading violent survivors who prey on others. Confronted with almost unimaginable despair - scarcity of food, exposure to the elements and constant threats - the father and son are sustained by their love for each other and their hope to preserve what is good in humanity.
Throughout their journey, the father teaches his son to 'carry the fire', a metaphor for maintaining their moral integrity and hope. Their bond, and the father's fierce dedication to protecting his son, serve as a testament to the redemptive power of love, even amid relentless ruin. The narrative starkly contrasts the bleak, faithless landscape with moments that evoke resilience, faith, and selfless love, demonstrating that goodness and hope endure even in a broken world.
Topics of the book: Fatherhood and education. Hope in humanity. Human capacity to carry "the fire" of goodness in a dark world.
CONFESSIONS OF A HEADTEACHER
Hans van Mourik Broekman
During the lockdown of 2020, an experienced UK school leader examines the assumptions that underpin his work and his school. He seeks to explore what his school actually does, what pupils experience there, and how he and his school could approach their daily work differently.
Topics covered include the pitfalls of teacher training, the purpose of school from pupils' perspectives, careers education, the curriculum, how pupils learn and the psychology of school reform.
Provoking educators, school leaders, governors and trustees, policymakers, parents and pupils to think deeply and clearly about their hopes and dreams for school and education, this book offers wide-ranging, personal and sometimes biting reflections. It is a unique book about school, teaching and leadership. By turns philosophical, funny, rueful, wistful and infuriating, it will inspire those involved in education to think about it in a new way.
Topics of the book: Education is the introduction of the person into reality in all its factors. Mystery of the human person. Teaching is an encounter between the pupil and the teacher. Learning is about finding the meaning. Power of beauty. Formation of our conscience. Keeping company to others. Freedom.
FULL LIFE: LETTERS TO MY STUDENTS
Mr Hans van Mourik Broekman
These letters are reflections on the issues and questions students brought up to the author (religious studies teacher and headteacher) during 30 year career working with young people. Their content touches upon many experiences at school and in the life of students. A provocative and original book for students, teachers, parents and everyone interested in education. Available on Amazon.
THE PAINTED VEIL
W. Somerset Maugham
Set in England and Hong Kong in the 1920s, The Painted Veil is the story of the beautiful, but desperate Kitty Fane.
When her husband discovers her private life, he forces her to accompany him to the heart of a cholera epidemic. Stripped of the British society of her youth she is compelled by her awakening conscience to reassess her life and learn how to love.
The Painted Veil is a beautiful affirmation of the human capacity to grow, change, and forgive.
And perhaps a nun serving orphans and the dying in the cholera epidemic gives the best moral of the story, by saying: “…the only thing that counts is love of duty; when love and duty are one, then grace is in you and you will enjoy a happiness which passes all understanding.”
THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GREY
Oscar Wilde
Dorian Gray is a young man who is very handsome. An artist paints his picture, and Dorian wishes he could stay young while the picture grows old instead. His wish comes true.
Encouraged by his friend Lord Henry, Dorian starts living only for pleasure and fun, without caring about right or wrong. Every bad thing he does makes the picture uglier, but Dorian’s face stays the same. He hurts people, including a young woman named Sibyl who dies because of him.
Over the years, the picture becomes more and more terrible, showing the evil in his soul; but Dorian hides it so no one will know the truth.
Topics of the book: Beauty, truth and goodness need to be kept together. The killing of the conscience is the killing of the soul and the killing of the soul is the killing of the self. Power of sin and vices. The soul reflects our moral choices.
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A SONG FOR NAGASAKI
Paul Glynn
A Song for Nagasaki tells the moving story of this extraordinary man, beginning with his boyhood and the heroic tales and stoic virtues of his family's Shinto religion. It reveals the inspiring story of Nagai's remarkable spiritual journey from Shintoism to atheism to Catholicism. Mixed with interesting details about Japanese history and culture, the biography traces Nagai's spiritual quest as he studied medicine at Nagasaki University, served as a medic with the Japanese army during its occupation of Manchuria, and returned to Nagasaki to dedicate himself to the science of radiology. The historic Catholic district of the city, where Nagai became a Catholic and began a family, was ground zero for the atomic bomb.
LETTERS TO A YOUNG POET
Rainer Maria Rilke
Letters to a Young Poet is a collection of ten letters written by Rainer Maria Rilke between 1903 and 1908 to Franz Xaver Kappus, a young Austrian military cadet seeking literary advice. Rilke, already a well-respected poet, did not respond with technical advice, but rather shared his reflections on the inner life that is essential for an artistic vocation. He encouraged Kappus to embrace solitude, silence and deep self-examination.
Rilke wrote the letters from various European cities, including Paris and Rome. He affirmed the importance of suffering and patience in personal growth - a theme familiar in Catholic spirituality. He also reflected on love as a sacred calling that demands maturity and sacrifice. Rilke acknowledged God and spiritual longing in indirect yet respectful ways.
The letters were first published in 1929, after Rilke’s death. Today, the work is treasured for its wisdom on vocation, art and the journey of the soul. Its contemplative tone continues to inspire readers of all faiths.
Topics of the book: Need to go deeper into ourselves. Importance of patience. Cherishing the questions we have inside us. Importance of solitude and prayer. Love as respect for the other. Virginity. Embrace difficulty.
THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS RAY
Thornton Wilder
An ancient Inca rope bridge collapses over a gorge in Peru, hurling five people into the abyss. At first glance, it seems like a meaningless human tragedy. However, one witness, a Franciscan friar, believes that the deaths may not be as random as they seem. Convinced that the disaster was a divine punishment, the friar sets out to discover all he can about the travellers. He thinks the five strangers must be connected in some way. There must be a purpose behind their deaths. But are their lost lives the result of sin? Or of love?
Thornton Wilder is a masterful storyteller and this was his most important novel.
Topics of the book: Love as the real bridge and meaning of life. The importance of existential questions such as: What is the meaning of life and death? Do we live by chance, and die by chance; or do we live according to a plan, and die according to a plan? Is there a providential plan behind the seemingly random events of life? Can we ever truly understand the reasons behind suffering and death?
THE MOVIEGOER
Walker Percy
The Moviegoer (1961), winner of the National Book Award, is the debut novel by Walker Percy, an American Catholic writer. The story follows Binx Bolling, a 29-year-old Korean War veteran and stockbroker in New Orleans, who feels alienated from the materialism and emptiness of modern American life. As Mardi Gras begins, Binx embarks on what he calls "the search" - a deeply personal quest for meaning and spiritual authenticity.
Here an interesting quote from the book: "(…) when I awake, I awake in the grip of everydayness. Everydayness is the enemy. No search is possible. Perhaps there was a time when everydayness was not too strong and one could break its grip by brute strength. Now nothing breaks it - but disaster. Only once in my life was the grip of everydayness broken: when I lay bleeding in a ditch. (…) (The everydayness is everywhere now, having begun in the cities and seeking out the remotest nooks and corners of the countryside, even the swamps.)"
Although Binx doesn't openly express religious belief, the novel is steeped in Catholic themes, including alienation, suffering, and the possibility of grace. The story culminates around Ash Wednesday, subtly pointing to the idea of spiritual renewal and redemption.
Topics of the book: Alienation. Redemption. Sacredness of the everyday. Search for meaning and for God. Presence of God in the normal circumstances of life.
THE END OF THE AFFAIR
Graham Greene
Set in London just after the Second World War, The End of the Affair follows two characters, Sarah Miles and Maurice Bendrix, as they navigate life after their illicit relationship comes to an end. Having found themselves on divergent paths, Maurice realises that a wedge is being driven between them as Sarah's growing devotion to God clashes with his unwavering love for her. Through their shared experiences of loss, grief and suffering, and ultimately death, the former lovers discover the unavoidable love of God in the most unlikely of circumstances.
The fourth and final of Graham Greene's 'Catholic novels', The End of the Affair is an intimate, marvellous story of post-war longing for redemption.
Topics of the book: Baptism marks a life forever; with baptism we belong to God forever. Searching for meaning and for God. Sin doesn’t fulfil us. The grace and beauty of God changes us. Power of miracles. Sacraments.