John Updike, long one of the nation’s finest novelists and short story writers, also wrote extensively about the Christian imagination (and once on his misgivings about Santa Claus).
James T. Keane
James T. Keane is a Senior Editor at America.
Posted inFaith, Last Take
Remembering Charles R. Morris, who wrote about everything (including America Magazine)
Charles R. Morris, who died on Dec. 13, was a prolific author with a broad range of interests and expertise. He also wrote a two-part history of America Media for our 100th anniversary.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
Your kid doesn’t want a pony for Christmas. She wants a book.
Over the years, the bookworms at America Media have compiled list upon list of books that would make good Christmas gifts. Here is a sample.
Posted inAdvent Reflections, Faith
Mix up the Annunciation and the Immaculate Conception of Mary? You’re not alone.
A Reflection for the Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
Wendell Berry: the cranky farmer, poet and essayist you just can’t ignore
Wendell Berry could be described by many labels. More than anything else, he has been a voice of practical reason and concise cultural commentary in his more than 80 books published over six decades.
Posted inAdvent Reflections, Faith
Sometimes, you should thank God for failure
A Reflection for the Friday of the First Week of Advent: Memorial of St. Francis Xavier
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
Dorothy Day said we are all called to be saints. So why didn’t she want us to officially name her one?
As Dorothy Day’s cause for canonization moves forward, her writings continue to offer a prophetic Christian witness to a complacent world.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
What kind of Catholic are you? How Mary Gordon’s writing tackles the expansiveness of our faith
Mary Gordon is one of America’s greatest Catholic writers—just don’t ask her why she stayed.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
What should the U.S. bishops debate next? Here’s a list of topics that no one asked for
Many topics of great import were discussed at the meeting of the U.S. bishops. But they missed the mark on bingo, confession and whether cats possess prevenient grace.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
Remembering Barry Lopez, lyrical travel writer and ecological prophet
In almost 20 books published over half a century, Barry Lopez always maintained a tight focus on the interconnectedness—and spiritual value—of all life, from the smallest mushroom to the largest forest.