The Masterful Monk

Problems of Human Happiness #3

by Owen Francis Dudley

In a vivid portrayal of the philosophical problem of human happiness, Fr. Dudley lays out for the reader the now all-too-familiar attack on mankind's innate sense of morality. Temptations of materialism were never stronger than they are today, yet here they are embodied in a novel from 1945!

Genres: Catholic, Fiction

314 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1929

About the author

(1882-1952) An English Catholic priest who gained fame both as a world lecturer and as a novelist. He was born into a Protestant family and in 1911 was ordained as an Anglican priest. He then converted to Catholicism in 1915 and was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1917. He served as a chaplain in the British Army in France and Italy during World War I and was wounded.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is another book from long ago. Brother Anselm takes on a militant atheist, who is also a brilliant biologist - this, 80 years before Richard Dawkins raised his strident voice. I read The Masterful Monk and others by Dudley at my high school library (Catholic girls' high school, natch) and found them truly inspiring.

Now I find this one unsophisticated and melodramatic - and inspiring. I should find it outdated and simplistic, but it isn't. It's a solid, innocent story with a first-rate protagonist, a good if predictable plot, a clear and succinct writing style. Yes, it's 80 years old, but truth persists even while its adornments might change.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miracles do happen. Conversion is not so hard as the world says. Men living for themselves are really very unhappy.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it. It reads like a thriller. It was a little cheesy in some parts, but all in all, a great, fast read with a decent but not over-powering amount of religion thrown in.

[Heidi Ladner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good!!!

[Karlynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5🌟

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be even better than its predecessor. So sad that much of it's truth may be lost on moderns.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK.

[Catherine Marvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

To put it simply, this book was amazing! From the beginning of the book my mind was riveted on the story and it was impossible to put down. The language of this British author is at once smooth flowing, perfectly descriptive, and at times humorous. I could never tire of reading any of these books in the series. Dudley is a mastermind dealing with philosophical and theological issues of the day in a easy going way that keeps the reader enthused without ever getting bored. At once the reader is interested in the story and all that it holds. If you are looking for an awesome book that will blow most other books out of the water, you must read this! A friendly warning, this book is impossible to put down and will make you stay up late to read.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

These characters can be found in the real world with some of them being named for the traits they display. The apologetics throughout this series will help the modern Catholic who is fighting for balance, the Faith and Truth against the world's principle of chaos.