Before I embark on a discussion of inspirational fiction, let’s define some terms. I am NOT talking about the kind of novels that resemble sermon illustrations or “clean” romance novels with a moral thrown in. These are not art but stories recruited to serve the practical purpose of evangelism.
What I mean by inspirational fiction is literary art informed by the immanent presence of God in the world. Works of writers like Elizabeth Goudge, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Flannery O’Connor. Fiction that I call, borrowing a phrase from the last writer in this list, “God-haunted.”
But this, dear reader, does not sum up the totality of contemporary fiction. They aren’t easy to find, but novels and stories do exist that are both beautiful and true; that believe in the nobility of the human spirit; that show us plainly the eternal battle between good and evil and the truth that good will ultimately triumph; that reaffirm the possibility of healing and redemption, even from the lowest depths humanity can sink to.
Reading books like these allows us to enjoy the consolation of story while obeying St. Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 4:8: “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
Where do you find such fiction? It abounded in previous centuries, but it is also still being published today. Look at the offerings of Wood Between Worlds Press; Paraclete Press; a few titles from Ancient Faith Publishing; Ignatius Press; Chrism Press. Look to authors like Marilynne Robinson, Leif Enger, Bret Lott, Mark Helprin, Rumer Godden, Edith Pargeter/Ellis Peters, Walker Percy, Graham Greene, Madeleine L’Engle, Susan Howatch, Nicholas Kotar.
Read any of these and you will feel the refreshing breath of paradise wash over you. Few of us can subsist on a rigorous diet of only scripture and spiritual instruction. Give yourself permission to relax a bit and let God speak to you through the eternal voice of story.
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