(Minor spoilers—nothing big.) Again Jonathan Auxier tells an intriguing story with compelling, interesting characters, while dealing with the question of ‘What is a story, and what is it for?’ in a way that both a child and an adult can understand and appreciate. Set amid the Irish potato famine and English prejudice against the Irish,Continue reading “Review & Analysis: The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier”
Tag Archives: Beauty
Reading Experiment Update
In my previous post, admittedly some time ago, I explained a reading experiment I had begun. In short, it was to read only one book at a time, with some exceptions such as audiobooks, short stories, essays, etc. I actually forgot to mention the audiobook rule, but part of why I kept that rule isContinue reading “Reading Experiment Update”
Christmas Reading List
Why, on the 30th of December, am I publishing a post on Christmas literary recommendations? Firstly because, in the words of Bob Cratchit, I was making rather merry—and still am! Hence the short post, as well. Secondly because (and this is for another post), Christmas has not ended! In the Church (outside of which ChristmasContinue reading “Christmas Reading List”
Experience Beauty
Last Monday I made some imprudent decisions regarding sleep, and am bearing the consequences of a compromised immune system. Thus, I did not have time to write a blog post (since I was resting instead). But since the purpose of this blog is to discuss literature and other ways of experiencing beauty, I thought IContinue reading “Experience Beauty”
St. Imelda and the Fulfillment of All Desire
God is Beauty Itself. And being God, He is indefinable, incomprehensible, unlimited, uncontainable. God knows each one of us perfectly and love each one of us completely, and He alone can fill our deepest and greatest desire for happiness and fulfillment. This is His desire: To fill us with the life and joy of HisContinue reading “St. Imelda and the Fulfillment of All Desire”
Reflexions on Mary, Mother of All the Living
Like many Protestant converts, devotion to the Virgin Mary and deep friendship with Her has been a struggle for me. At the same time, amid many questions and doubts, God has since before my Confirmation given me a desire to know and love Her as my spiritual Mother, and He has only increased this. MaryContinue reading “Reflexions on Mary, Mother of All the Living”
Update on Blog and Post Schedule!
Since I’ve begun this blog while on a break from university, I have become increasingly convinced of the importance of beauty, especially as it is communicated in and through words. Beauty is a wonderful meeting of order and surprise, a mystery which awakens man from sleep and invites him into the dreamworld of a moreContinue reading “Update on Blog and Post Schedule!”
The Purpose of Art & My Struggle to Write: A Reflexion on J. R. R. Tolkien’s ‘Leaf by Niggle’
Last Sunday I was getting ready to head home from Mass, which takes a little under an hour, and was wondering whether I might listen to an audiobook or pray a Rosary on the way home when a wonderful and providential thought came into my head. I had just finished J. R. R. Tolkien’s TheContinue reading “The Purpose of Art & My Struggle to Write: A Reflexion on J. R. R. Tolkien’s ‘Leaf by Niggle’”
In the Garden of the Soul
Due to travelling and a wedding, I was not able to write a blog post last week. The question is, what were you doing instead of reading my blog? There are many more excellent things to do, and I pray that this blog does indeed inspire you to go and do them: to read aContinue reading “In the Garden of the Soul”
The Beauty of the Precious Blood: A Meditation on the Hearts of Jesus & Mary
‘and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced’ Zechariah 12:10 Yesterday was the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and today is the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Yet the Hearts of Jesus and Mary are one. Not only are they united spiritually in the great mission of mankind’s redemption,Continue reading “The Beauty of the Precious Blood: A Meditation on the Hearts of Jesus & Mary”
The Curious Critic 