On Facebook I saw a list purporting to be ten spiritual novels that one absolutely must read. I thought three of them might fit on such a list. I then googled around a bit about spiritual fiction. It revealed some good stuff, and along with that a bunch that reminded me of theologian James Luther Adams’ dry observation that “nothing sells like ego wrapped in idealism.”
That set me to thinking about what novels have touched my heart on my path, what set, or reset me along the way at important moments.
Here are ten I think fit that bill.
Kim Rudyard Kipling
Possibly the first novel I read that challenged my understanding of what’s what. Written by the great advocate of the White Man’s Burden, it was a subversive experience, where the spiritual center was a Tibetan lama. I find it fascinating and absolutely lovely that an old racist and imperialist would be a touchstone for the dawn of my spiritual quest.
Lord of Light Roger Zelazny
I read it three times before I decided I didn’t really like it all that much. It explored themes of religion and politics in ways that made sense to me, and made religion something that was usually a political thing, about social control. But not always.
Mists of Avalon Marion Zimmer Bradley
Opened the reality that history is written by victors, and there is always a secret history. And often it has a woman at the heart of it.
Earth Abides George Stewart
My dystopian novel, post apocalypse vision. Didn’t hurt that it took place in a place that I recognized. The vision of renewal in the face of complete collapse continues to have a place in my heart
Brothers Karamazov Fyodor Dostoyevsky
An amazing experience of spiritual quest, of struggle, human failure, doubt, and the glory of reason. It just captured my late adolescent struggle perfectly, framed it, and directed me on.
Death Comes for the Archbishop Willa Cather
Haunting, simple, almost archetypal story of a saint I could almost believe in.
Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck
I could have selected East of Eden for this, as well. For me Steinbeck articulated the meeting of the spiritual, and particularly the true secret of religion, that we are all connected, and how that manifests in an engaged life.
Journey to the East Herman Hesse
Again, could have been a couple of other novels by Hesse, particularly the Glass Bead Game. But it is this one that returns in my dreams over the years.
The Power and the Glory Graham Greene
I was so taken with the “whisky priest,” a total failure at his calling, who keeps planning on escape, but keeps hanging back putting God in people’s mouths. I think this was a turning point novel for me, pointing toward what I might now call a mature spirituality.
Last Temptation of Christ Nikos Kazantzakis
For a brief time I thought this was my Christianity. On occasion it still is.
Several of these would become films that have touched my heart. And, one, a song…
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