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s2smodern

 

I have been reading Michael O'Brien's novels for a number of years.  I think I read the first one almost ten years ago.  I have just purchased Theophilos (Ignatius, 2010), as in the "Theophilos" from the opening verses of the Gospel of Luke.  His last novel was Island of the Sun (Ignatius, 2007), and is one of the best novels I have ever read.  It is set in the aftermath of certain atrocities in World War II in Croatia.  Some of his novels have an apocalyptic theme, and are very well done.  Particularly compelling (and haunting) was Eclipse of the Sun (Ignatius, 1998), which rings true for our own day, given the fragile nature of political liberty which exists in our (and I suppose every) age.  O'Brien is a traditional Catholic, and I have found that his novels are some of the most penetrating and profound I have read.  His picture of political tyranny in Eclipse of the Sun is unsettling and frightening.  His portrayal of determination, love, loss, and contentment in Island of the Sun was virtually second to no other novel I know of.  His novel, Plague Journal (Ignatius) also has an apocalyptic theme, and is utterly believable.  If you are looking for good reading for the summer, it would be hard to improve upon O'Brien.