Lexington Books
Pages: 172
Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜
978-1-4985-4166-4 • Hardback • November 2016 • $103.00 • (£79.00)
978-1-4985-4167-1 • eBook • November 2016 • $97.50 • (£75.00)
Nancy Enright is associate professor of English and Catholic studies at Seton Hall University.
Chapter I – Introduction
Chapter II – Henryk Sienkiewicz’ Quo Vadis?: Suffering and Love in the Church of St. Peter
Chapter III – Graham Greene’s The End of the Affair The Sanctity of Grace
Chapter IV – Robert Bolt’s A Man for All Seasons: Thomas More and Self-Identity
Chapter V – Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited: The Sources of Pain and the Beginnings of Love
Chapter VI – Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit: Text and Films, “Eucatastrophe” and “Enchantment”
Chapter VII – Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables: Love and Redemption of the Suffering Poor
Chapter VIII – Conclusion
The major contribution of Catholic Literature and Film is its juxtaposition of related historical texts, literary text, and the various film versions of the literary text when more than one exist. Many prior works examine either the literature or the film, but not both, and they do so from the perspective of cultural or film criticism and, therefore, are not as thorough in their analysis of the literary text, nor do they offer as much depth of understanding of the theological concepts as this examination does. Readers will also find themselves enlightened by Enright’s complex distinctions among the classical, Christian, and specifically Catholic faith traditions.
— Mary Ann B. Miller, Caldwell University, editor of "St. Peter’s B-list: Contemporary Poems Inspired by the Saints"
Nancy Enright’s very smart book first defines how a film can be 'incarnational' and 'sacramental,' and so express the faith once for all passed down; then she builds upon that solid foundation thoughtful analyses of six deeply Catholic films. With a refreshing clarity of expression she describes the transposition of literary classics like Brideshead Revisited and Les Miserables and The Lord of the Rings from novel to film while guiding her readers toward a deeper understanding of Christian theology and piety.
— Peter Fraser, Regent University
Stories affect the whole person, stimulating our senses and our imaginations, challenging our hearts and our minds. An English professor, Enright has an insider’s grasp of theology, which she has used masterfully in her new book, Catholic Literature and Film, to illuminate six superb movies and the novels that inspired them. It is the best source I have encountered for presenting central Catholic teachings through these most influential mediums.
— Mark Miller, St. Ignatius Institute