The Catholic Book Club discussion

5. What is the meaning of the story "Numaris"? Did you enjoy the story? Why or why not?

I enjoyed Numaris very much. It starts very quickly in the midst of action, which is used at the same time to inform us about the background of this world.

The liutenant is a great character.

I really like your explanation, John.

I also really enjoyed Numaris.

(view spoiler)[It struck me as an allegory of the Church. The Empire would be the Catholic Church; the Rebels, the protestant world; and the Black armies, either the forces of materialism or Islam. Numaris the city then is either Constantinople or Jerusalem (if the Black armies are Islam) or Augustine's City of Man (if the Black are the forces of materialism).

And the meaning of the story, only when the passionate faith of the best of protestant churches is tied to the sophisticated theology of the Catholic Church will Christianity overcome Islam/materialism. (hide spoiler)]

A worthy topic of exploration and executed in a page-turning story. I wanted to read the rest of the book.

I originally mistakenly posted this comment as the CBC Moderator and forgot to include spoiler tags. So I deleted and have reposted.

Usually I hate battle scenes and detailed military strategy, but this long tale is fascinating because of the character development and interactions. I think it's a parable for the servants of the King (Jesus): Catholic (green, Imperial) and Protestant (blue, Rebel) and our common enemy Satan (Black).

The meaning of this novella is transparent. The author states clearly who are the different factions.

(view spoiler)[I think the black army is not Islam. Protestants rarely fought Islam, except after Islam's armies failed in the 19th and 20th century. I think Jill is nearer the correct idea. (hide spoiler)]

But let's see what the author says.

I love how competent the women are in this tale, but didn't Catholics develop orders of nurses before Protestants?

Jill wrote: "I love how competent the women are in this tale, but didn't Catholics develop orders of nurses before Protestants?"

Yes, at least in 1633: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisters...

Numaris has been by far the popular favorite. The character of William de Rowan kind of grew in the telling. I did write a sequel, but it wasn't picked up.

If you like adventure stories, I wrote a full-length novelization of the story of the Magi. It does have a battle scene, but has many other things as well. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Afar-Roger-Tho...

I felt so many emotions reading Numaris! Amazing analogies.

If Protestants only embraced the spiritual tools the Catholics have, their passion would go so much further. If Catholics took up the passion of the Protestants, their spiritual tools would see their purpose fulfilled.

William’s report to the Commandant feels like Reconciliation, a sacrament that would be foreign to the Rebels. Beauchamp’s guidance at the end is like that of a guardian angel.

I really liked this one.