The Literary Essays of Thomas Merton (New Directions Paperwork, 587)

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Summary: A Christian Reading of Camus, Blake, Faulkner, Nabakov!
Review: I guess not many folks have read this extremely intelligent book. Merton's close readings of many giants of literature from his Christian perspective are illuminating. My personal favorite is his reading of Camus. It would have been fantastic if these two could have sat down and spoken to one another! While I am not into orthodox or fundamentalist Christianity, I fully agree with Merton's perspectives, and he has nourished my spirituality with his writing. As an English major he has altered and illuminated my readings of these great authors. I think that this, along with "The New Man" and His "Asian Journals" provide the most in depth, intelligent, mature writings of Merton at the height of his powers. Incidently, "The New Man" is largely based on his reading of Camus and the Romantics, and he provides a perspective that is missing from the many critical perspectives that have been offered, even up til now.