The Catholic Literary Revival: Its Development from Newman to Chesterton

by Calvert Alexander

Christopher Dawson once diagnosed the modern decline in faith as due “not so much to a change of belief as to a change of attention—a turning away of the mind from spiritual to temporal things.” In this sweeping treatment of Catholic literary history, Calvert Alexander, S.J., traces the development of Catholic literature and enumerates its effects in returning the mind to the spiritual order. Focusing on the output of English-speaking countries, but also including other, continental contributions, Alexander attributes three stages to the revival of Catholic the Victorian phase (1845 to 1890); the middle phase (the 1890s to World War I); and the contemporary phase (World War I to 1935). Covering such richly variegated artistic movements as the American fin de siècle and the Celtic Dawn, Alexander gives pride of place to legends like Newman and Hopkins, Chesterton and Belloc, Wilde and Mauriac, but also identifies the hitherto auxiliary contributions of authors like Katherine Tynan, Alice Meynell, and Alfred Noyes. It is to this twofold approach, along with its expansive bibliographies, that The Catholic Literary Revival owes its enduring value as an essential piece in the work of recovering, maintaining, and developing the Catholic tradition.

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1935

About the author

Rev. Father Calvert P. Alexander, SJ

Reviews

[Kyle · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

This book embodies a truly remarkable achievement in tracing the Catholic literary revival in the English world starting with Newman and terminating in the 1930s. This book provides insight into the lives, work, and philosophy of the men and women who created some of the greatest works in the history of the English speaking world. At worst, this book provides many hidden gems of Catholic literature during this 70 year (or so) period. At best, it provides the groundwork for an aesthetic vision that continues to inspire men and women of goodwill and God-willing can bring about a renaissance of Christian art and humanities.

[booklady]

Another new release from Cluny. It looks wonderful!