In 2020 The Catholic Reading Challenge is reading 24 different short stories by 12 different authors. Each month we will focus on one author, reading two stories by that author. At the end of the month we will discuss both stories in a single podcast episode.
In 2020 The Catholic Reading Challenge is reading 24 different short stories by 12 different authors. Each month we will focus on one author, reading two stories by that author. At the end of the month we will discuss both stories in a single podcast episode.
I’ve really been looking forward to this month’s author. I will say right up front that these two stories are picked rather at random, as I have not read any of Waugh’s stories. I have read two of his novels: Brideshead Revisited and Helena, both of which I really enjoyed. Helena captured a special place in my heart, perhaps because of the way he beautifully sketched a saint that is still fairly mysterious to us. As for Brideshead, it’s getting to be time for a re-read, I believe.
At any rate, I’m thoroughly looking forward to sampling Waugh’s ability with the short story genre. I’ve heard good things, but I’ve also heard that readers have fairly distinct opinions about whether they prefer his novels to his short stories. It should make for an interesting point of discussion on the podcast. Perhaps this is your first taste of Waugh’s writing. If so, I would encourage you, regardless of what you think of his stories, to try one of his novels next.
Copyright 2020 Jessica Ptomey
In 2020 The Catholic Reading Challenge is reading 24 different short stories by 12 different authors. Each month we will focus on one author, reading two stories by that author. During each of our bi-weekly podcast episodes we will discuss the stories in turn.
I will keep this short and sweet, so that you can get right to the stories for this month. We are excited to be reading Poe this month, and I think that you will find in our first story many interesting parallels to what we are experiencing as a society right now. I’m sure there will be lots to discuss.
You should be able to find plenty of PDF versions of these stories, or they should both be in any collection of Poe’s stories that you have on your shelves already at home. Enjoy!