3. A Catholic Novel? > Likes and Comments

3. Is the Eighth Arrow a "Catholic" novel? Why or why not?

Absolutely especially if you read the final part.

I think it's Catholic in letter and spirit, even though Fr. Wetta recognizes it's not supposed to be theologically accurate. Maybe that's the fun of it. The Catholic elements are very under the nose.

I'd definitely say this is a Catholic novel! And what I like about it is that it isn't outwardly theological, but still carries a deeply orthodox message. I've read other pieces of Christian media that are more "on the nose" with the message, and I think if the whole book was Odysseus being led through Hades while someone explains Catholic doctrine to him, it would have felt incredibly tedious. That's not how the real world works.

I love that the lessons and the morals are deeply Catholic, but not obviously so to Odysseus. God is subtle like that.

Fonch wrote: "Absolutely especially if you read the final part."

Is there the possibility of redemption from hell?

John wrote: "Is there the possibility of redemption from hell?"

I answered this in a comment in the thread on Conflict:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

But John it is not the real Inferno. It is the Dante's inferno and not all person that Dante sent to the inferno are worthy of this. For instance the Pope Celestine V that it is Saint had to be in the inferno?
Besides Dante did not know the myth of Odysseus except for the classics authors. "The Odyssey" was translated very late.

Excellent post Professor 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

John wrote: "Fonch wrote: "Absolutely especially if you read the final part."

Is there the possibility of redemption from hell?"

No. And this concerned the editors...which is why I wrote the Preface.

Augustine wrote: "John wrote: "Fonch wrote: "Absolutely especially if you read the final part."

Is there the possibility of redemption from hell?"

No. And this concerned the editors...which is why I wrote the Pref..."

I think the preface was necessary, but I was also struck by the fact that hell is a choice. Those in hell have chosen to reject God. So, I loved the idea that when Odysseus actually prays, when he actually asks for help, he's given his freedom. This version of hell felt a lot more like purgatory to me.

I forgot all about the disclaimer until you pointed it out. Thanks, Emmy!