Bibliograph

On reading well, finding the good life through great books, Karen Swallow Prior ; [illustrations by Ned Bustard]

Type

Label

On reading well, finding the good life through great books, Karen Swallow Prior ; [illustrations by Ned Bustard]

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 245-267)

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

no index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

On reading well

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

1024098528

Responsibility statement

Karen Swallow Prior ; [illustrations by Ned Bustard]

Sub title

finding the good life through great books

Summary

"Acclaimed author Karen Swallow Prior takes readers on a guided tour through works of great literature both ancient and modern, exploring twelve virtues that philosophers and theologians throughout history have identified as most essential for good character and the good life. In reintroducing ancient virtues that are as relevant and essential today as ever, Prior draws on the best classical and Christian thinkers, including Aristotle, Aquinas, and Augustine. Covering authors from Henry Fielding to Cormac McCarthy, Jane Austen to George Saunders, and Flannery O'Connor to F. Scott Fitzgerald, Prior explores some of the most compelling universal themes found in the pages of classic books, helping readers learn to love life, literature, and God through their encounters with great writing. In examining works by these authors and more, Prior shows why virtues such as prudence, temperance, humility, and patience are still necessary for human flourishing and civil society. The book includes reflection questions geared toward book club discussions"--Amazon

Table Of Contents

Foreword / by Leland Ryken -- Introduction: Read well, live well -- Part one. The cardinal virtues -- Prudence: The history of Tom Jones, a foundling, by Henry Fielding -- Temperance: The great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald -- Justice: A tale of two cities, by Charles Dickens -- Courage: the adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain -- Part two. The theological virtues -- Faith: Silence, by Shusaku Endo -- Hope: The road, by Cormac McCarthy -- Love: The death of Ivan Ilych, by Leo Tolstoy -- Part three. The heavenly virtues -- Chastity: Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton -- Diligence: Pilgrim's progress, by John Bunyan -- Patience: Persuasion, by Jane Austen -- Kindness: "Tenth of December," by George Saunders -- Humility: "Revelation" and "Everything that rises must converge," by Flannery O'Connor

Classification