Iris Murdoch might seem like an unlikely candidate for praise from America reviewers, but her philosophical novels about love and alienation earned many praise-filled reviews over the years.
James T. Keane
James T. Keane is a Senior Editor at America.
Posted inFaith, Scripture Reflections
What if Jesus really meant it? A guiding question for interpreting the Gospel
A Reflection for the Memorial of St. John Chrysostom, bishop and doctor of the church, by James T. Keane
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
Andre Dubus III on faith, fiction and his absent, famous father
To be the writerly son of a writerly father is not always the easiest vocation. When that parent is as famous as Andre Dubus, it must be doubly difficult. But who knows: Maybe it can make for great art? One might ask Andre Dubus III.
Posted inArts & Culture, Music
Parrotheads know: Jimmy Buffett was much more than booze and debauchery
Jimmy Buffett was noted for his many silly pop songs in obituaries after his death on Sept. 1. But his music wasn’t always just a matter of rum and flip-flops.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
Pope Francis caused a stir by quoting Teilhard de Chardin. Here’s what you need to know about the ‘often misunderstood’ Jesuit.
Pope Francis mentioned Teilhard de Chardin, S.J., at the close of his Mass in Ulaanbaatar on Sunday. Might this mean the great priest-paleontologist is finally being recognized by the Vatican for his genius?
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
America magazine writers who dreamed they saw St. Augustine
Saint Augustine still captures our imaginations 16 centuries after he lived. What is it about this theologian, philosopher, preacher and memoirist that makes him such a perennial favorite?
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
Going back to school this week? Here’s some advice from generations of America writers.
The dog days of August are also the first week of school for millions of students, parents and teachers. Want some advice on how to handle it? Generations of America contributors have had thoughts on the subject.
Posted inFaith, Scripture Reflections
Remember where you came from, and remember who brought you here
A Reflection for Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time, by James T. Keane
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
The Catholic woman who mastered the art of a brutal movie review
Over 27 years beginning in 1947, Moira Walsh wrote over 750 movie reviews for America—each one possessed of an invincible authorial voice and informed by an encyclopedic knowledge of film history.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
The America editor who ruined nuclear fallout shelters forever
Why don’t we have fallout shelters anymore? It’s a long story, but an editor at America had something to do with it.