The Catholic Book Club discussion

Who is your favorite character? Why?

I don't have a favorite character, but I enjoyed and agreed with all the "inner life" descriptions the author made for most characters.

Reggie. I wish there had been much more about him.
Mr. Main, a tragic character and such a sad ending!
Father Hilary, of course

But there are so many weak, wishy-washy men dominated by women (Dr. Smith, Mr. Bennett, Percy...)

Jill wrote: "Reggie. I wish there had been much more about him.
Mr. Main, a tragic character and such a sad ending!
Father Hilary, of course

But there are so many weak, wishy-washy men dominated by women (Dr. ..."

I agree with you, Jill, in all of this! but in some ways Mr. Main is my favorite character, steadfastly following Jesus and carrying his own particular crosses. The true "ending" for him will be glorious.

I will pay attention to the secondary characters. Robert Hugh Benson usually to write rather good these kind of characters.

It's funny: the protagonist of "The Lord of World" and the protagonist of "The Average Man" have the same name. Did you ask me if it was a coincidence, or that you liked the same name? Percival was one of the three Arthurian knights who found the Holy Grail after a process of tremendous physical and spiritual battles. It could be the example of the person who, after many trials and experiences, manages to find Grace.

Fonch wrote: "It's funny: the protagonist of "The Lord of World" and the protagonist of "The Average Man" have the same name. Did you ask me if it was a coincidence, or that you liked the same name? Percival was..."

Wait to the end of the novel. Perhaps Sir Percival is not the proper model for Percy.

Manuel wrote: "Fonch wrote: "It's funny: the protagonist of "The Lord of World" and the protagonist of "The Average Man" have the same name. Did you ask me if it was a coincidence, or that you liked the same name..."

Yes i imagined for the comments something like this. I think that thaey should call him Lance, or Mordred. Wodehouse called Mordred to one character 🤣.

Fonch wrote: " I think that they should call him Lance, or Mordred."

Calling him Mordred seems to me too extreme! :-)

Manuel wrote: "Fonch wrote: " I think that they should call him Lance, or Mordred."

Calling him Mordred seems to me too extreme! :-)"

Agravaine ;-)?

Again, Benson repeats his name day. In this case with Mabel Marridon. Let's remember that there was another Mabel in his mythical novel "The Lord of World", the wife of the Labour politician Brandt. That he ended up becoming Felsenburgh's right-hand man and that she had such a sad ending.

Yes, Benson has two characters in Lord of the World called Percy and Mabel.

This may mean (probably means) that Benson liked those two names. But notice that Mabel Marridon is a case of alliteration, so perhaps this was also a possible reason.

In my 37 novels, I don't think I've ever used the same name for different characters, except when they actually represent the same person (as perhaps someone will notice next month:-)

Manuel wrote: "Yes, Benson has two characters in Lord of the World called Percy and Mabel.

This may mean (probably means) that Benson liked those two names. But notice that Mabel Marridon is a cas..."
We must pay attention to the next reading.

About Father Hilary: "He knew nothing at all of the world, in the ordinary sense of the word; but he appeared to know a great deal about the next, and spoke as if he lived there -which he probably did."

Mine is Father Hillary, I don’t know if there are any Exodus men here but I cannot avoid thinking of Father Boniface Hicks every time Father Hilary is mentioned

https://www.fatherboniface.org/wordpr...