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Author Topic: Catholic-inspired fantasy books?  (Read 1211 times)

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Offline DigitalLogos

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Catholic-inspired fantasy books?
« on: February 23, 2022, 09:26:20 PM »
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    • For obvious reasons JRR Tolkien is the go-to Catholic fantasy author, as his works are rife with Catholic themes and ideas. As I'm reaching the end of Return of the King, and looking onward to read the Silmarillion, it makes me wonder if there are other good authors of fantasy which utilize Catholic themes in a similar, mature manner as does Tolkien?

    I've come across "political philosopher/commentator" Vox Day's Arts of Dark and Light series, which utilizes an overtly Catholic culture as the centerpiece of his fantasy world. And I've begun reading Summa Elvetica: A Casuistry of the Elvish Controversy, and find it pretty engaging in its own right so far. I have no idea if he is a Catholic, but he certainly has a good grasp of Catholic culture and themes to make his world convincing.

    Yet I have trouble finding others that are worth the time. Perhaps some here would have suggestions of series or, individual books, in the high fantasy genre worth reading?
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    "Be not therefore solicitous for tomorrow; for the morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof." [Matt. 6:34]

    "In all thy works remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin." [Ecclus. 7:40]

    "A holy man continueth in wisdom as the sun: but a fool is changed as the moon." [Ecclus. 27:12]

    Offline epiphany

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    Re: Catholic-inspired fantasy books?
    « Reply #1 on: February 23, 2022, 10:02:35 PM »
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    • Chronicles of Narnia
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    Offline Marion

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    Re: Catholic-inspired fantasy books?
    « Reply #2 on: February 23, 2022, 10:04:44 PM »
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    • There is no such thing as Catholic fantasy. Catholic is about reality.

    My 2 cents.
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    Offline Anne Evergreen

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    Re: Catholic-inspired fantasy books?
    « Reply #3 on: February 23, 2022, 10:05:56 PM »
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    • Off the top of my head, Taylor Marshall wrote a book called "The Sword and the Serpent," if memory serves. Some of the men and boys I know seemed to have enjoyed it.

    It may or may not fit the genre you seek, but it sounds like fanstasy-type based on their comments after Mass, and such. I cannot verify things one way or the other.

    But how can you top Tolkien anyway? That's a tall order. Good luck in your search. :-)
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    Offline Marion

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    Re: Catholic-inspired fantasy books?
    « Reply #4 on: February 23, 2022, 10:07:28 PM »
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    • I bet Taylor Marshall topped Tolkien with respect to fantasy.
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    Offline DigitalLogos

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    Re: Catholic-inspired fantasy books?
    « Reply #5 on: February 23, 2022, 10:14:05 PM »
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    • Quote from: Anne Evergreen on February 23, 2022, 10:05:56 PM
    Off the top of my head, Taylor Marshall wrote a book called "The Sword and the Serpent," if memory serves. Some of the men and boys I know seemed to have enjoyed it.

    It may or may not fit the genre you seek, but it sounds like fanstasy-type based on their comments after Mass, and such. I cannot verify things one way or the other.

    But how can you top Tolkien anyway? That's a tall order. Good luck in your search. :-)
    Lol I'm not hoping to top Tolkien, as that's not possible, in my opinion. But, I am definitely looking for something to fill the void in that area once I do finish with what works of his I own.
    I've had a kindle copy of Dr. Marshall's book for a couple years now that I got for free. I "thumbed" through it the other night, and it seems interesting enough. It's certainly on my list of things to read.

    Quote from: epiphany on February 23, 2022, 10:02:35 PM
    Chronicles of Narnia
    While CS Lewis was not a Catholic, I do have his series on my list of those to read. I'm just waiting to hear back from my sister whether she still has our childhood hardcover collection of the Narnia books packed away somewhere. :laugh1:

    Quote from: Marion on February 23, 2022, 10:04:44 PM
    There is no such thing as Catholic fantasy. Catholic is about reality.

    My 2 cents.
    Right...which is why I specifically said "Catholic-inspired fantasy books" and books "with Catholic themes and ideas"
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    "Be not therefore solicitous for tomorrow; for the morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof." [Matt. 6:34]

    "In all thy works remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin." [Ecclus. 7:40]

    "A holy man continueth in wisdom as the sun: but a fool is changed as the moon." [Ecclus. 27:12]

    Offline LaramieHirsch

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    Re: Catholic-inspired fantasy books?
    « Reply #6 on: February 23, 2022, 10:58:34 PM »
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    • Quote from: DigitalLogos on February 23, 2022, 09:26:20 PM
    For obvious reasons JRR Tolkien is the go-to Catholic fantasy author, as his works are rife with Catholic themes and ideas. As I'm reaching the end of Return of the King, and looking onward to read the Silmarillion, it makes me wonder if there are other good authors of fantasy which utilize Catholic themes in a similar, mature manner as does Tolkien?

    I've come across "political philosopher/commentator" Vox Day's Arts of Dark and Light series, which utilizes an overtly Catholic culture as the centerpiece of his fantasy world. And I've begun reading Summa Elvetica: A Casuistry of the Elvish Controversy, and find it pretty engaging in its own right so far. I have no idea if he is a Catholic, but he certainly has a good grasp of Catholic culture and themes to make his world convincing.

    Yet I have trouble finding others that are worth the time. Perhaps some here would have suggestions of series or, individual books, in the high fantasy genre worth reading?

    The book, Bovodar and the Bears.   

    There's also a comic version of Bovodar and the Bears posted up on Arktoons.  Writer and illustrator both TradCaths.  (If you're a Vox reader like me, you probably already know this.  Vox is an evangelical Protestant who's not interested in Catholicism.  Not even sure he believes in the Trinity.)
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    Offline DigitalLogos

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    Re: Catholic-inspired fantasy books?
    « Reply #7 on: February 23, 2022, 11:21:51 PM »
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    • Quote from: LaramieHirsch on February 23, 2022, 10:58:34 PM
    The book, Bovodar and the Bears. 

    There's also a comic version of Bovodar and the Bears posted up on Arktoons.  Writer and illustrator both TradCaths.  (If you're a Vox reader like me, you probably already know this.  Vox is an evangelical Protestant who's not interested in Catholicism.  Not even sure he believes in the Trinity.)
    Thanks for the recommendation, I'll check it out. Shame about Vox. He seems like solid writer regardless 
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    "Be not therefore solicitous for tomorrow; for the morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof." [Matt. 6:34]

    "In all thy works remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin." [Ecclus. 7:40]

    "A holy man continueth in wisdom as the sun: but a fool is changed as the moon." [Ecclus. 27:12]

    Offline epiphany

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    Re: Catholic-inspired fantasy books?
    « Reply #8 on: February 24, 2022, 07:51:17 AM »
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    • Quote from: DigitalLogos on February 23, 2022, 10:14:05 PM
    Lol I'm not hoping to top Tolkien, as that's not possible, in my opinion. But, I am definitely looking for something to fill the void in that area once I do finish with what works of his I own.
    I've had a kindle copy of Dr. Marshall's book for a couple years now that I got for free. I "thumbed" through it the other night, and it seems interesting enough. It's certainly on my list of things to read.
    While CS Lewis was not a Catholic, I do have his series on my list of those to read. I'm just waiting to hear back from my sister whether she still has our childhood hardcover collection of the Narnia books packed away somewhere. :laugh1:
    Right...which is why I specifically said "Catholic-inspired fantasy books" and books "with Catholic themes and ideas"

    "He [Lewis] held many beliefs that were far more Catholic than Protestant. To give but a few examples of this quasi-Catholicism: he described the Eucharist as the "blessed sacrament" and seemed to believe in the Real Presence (though not apparently in transubstantiation); he went to auricular confession, an extremely eccentric practice for an Anglican; he opposed the ordination of women in the Anglican church on the grounds that the priest at the altar is in persona Christi; and, last but not least, he professed not only a belief in purgatory but a belief that he was destined to go there! "

    https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/column/53084/c-s-lewis-and-the-catholic-church

    Every library should have his series available.
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    Offline DigitalLogos

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    Re: Catholic-inspired fantasy books?
    « Reply #9 on: February 24, 2022, 08:07:11 AM »
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    • Quote from: epiphany on February 24, 2022, 07:51:17 AM
    "He [Lewis] held many beliefs that were far more Catholic than Protestant. To give but a few examples of this quasi-Catholicism: he described the Eucharist as the "blessed sacrament" and seemed to believe in the Real Presence (though not apparently in transubstantiation); he went to auricular confession, an extremely eccentric practice for an Anglican; he opposed the ordination of women in the Anglican church on the grounds that the priest at the altar is in persona Christi; and, last but not least, he professed not only a belief in purgatory but a belief that he was destined to go there! "

    https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/column/53084/c-s-lewis-and-the-catholic-church

    Every library should have his series available.
    Right. But being quasi-Catholic doesn't make him Catholic. He was still Anglican and died an Anglican, and was, most likely, not saved. Much to the chagrin of his friend Tolkien, who tried to get Lewis into the Church. 
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    "Be not therefore solicitous for tomorrow; for the morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof." [Matt. 6:34]

    "In all thy works remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin." [Ecclus. 7:40]

    "A holy man continueth in wisdom as the sun: but a fool is changed as the moon." [Ecclus. 27:12]

    Offline Miseremini

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    Re: Catholic-inspired fantasy books?
    « Reply #10 on: February 24, 2022, 01:45:57 PM »
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    • My favourite Catholic fantasy book was read to my grade 6 class back in the '50's.  I found a copy years ago and still enjoy re reading it every couple of years.
    Below is the cheapest place to purchase a copy.

    https://tanbooks.com/products/books/7-lively-virtues/justice/outlaws-of-ravenhurst/
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    Offline Romulus

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    Re: Catholic-inspired fantasy books?
    « Reply #11 on: February 24, 2022, 06:20:01 PM »
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    • The Sword and the Serpent is fantasy, its based on the Saint George and the dragon story. I enjoyed them.
    Tolkien definitely.
    Narnia is pretty good but to me it was orientated towards children and may seem childish at times.
    Outlaws of Ravenhurst is awesome.

    Another series you may want to look into are the Redwall books. They are fake but are quite enjoyable.

    My two cents on what has been discussed

    PS. Another book by Tolkien I like is Roverandom. It was based off a toy dog one of his children lost so he comforted them with a story about its adventures.
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    Offline Romulus

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    Re: Catholic-inspired fantasy books?
    « Reply #12 on: February 24, 2022, 06:21:02 PM »
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    • Quote from: Marion on February 23, 2022, 10:07:28 PM
    I bet Taylor Marshall topped Tolkien with respect to fantasy.
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    Offline Romulus

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    Re: Catholic-inspired fantasy books?
    « Reply #13 on: February 24, 2022, 06:25:17 PM »
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    • It's almost impossible to top Tolkien, he pretty much kick-started the genera of fantasy itself.  

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    Offline DigitalLogos

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    Re: Catholic-inspired fantasy books?
    « Reply #14 on: February 24, 2022, 06:32:20 PM »
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    • Quote from: Romulus on February 24, 2022, 06:20:01 PM
    The Sword and the Serpent is fantasy, its based on the Saint George and the dragon story. I enjoyed them.
    Tolkien definitely.
    Narnia is pretty good but to me it was orientated towards children and may seem childish at times.
    Outlaws of Ravenhurst is awesome.

    Another series you may want to look into are the Redwall books. They are fake but are quite enjoyable.

    My two cents on what has been discussed

    PS. Another book by Tolkien I like is Roverandom. It was based off a toy dog one of his children lost so he comforted them with a story about its adventures.
    Thanks for reminding me of Redwall! I actually have the first book of Redwall on my shelf, I loved those books as a kid and intended on re-reading a lot of them but never got around to it.

    I was planning on reading Narnia to my daughter, as it seems right up her alley with anthropomorphic animals and all.
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    "Be not therefore solicitous for tomorrow; for the morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof." [Matt. 6:34]

    "In all thy works remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin." [Ecclus. 7:40]

    "A holy man continueth in wisdom as the sun: but a fool is changed as the moon." [Ecclus. 27:12]
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