[WMG]∎ Download The Mystery of Things The Ashland Grail Cycle Debra Murphy John Murphy 9781595970022 Books

The Mystery of Things The Ashland Grail Cycle Debra Murphy John Murphy 9781595970022 Books

Download As PDF : The Mystery of Things The Ashland Grail Cycle Debra Murphy John Murphy 9781595970022 Books

The Mystery of Things The Ashland Grail Cycle Debra Murphy John Murphy 9781595970022 Books

Other reviewers have already noted that Debra Murphy draws a great deal from literature in this work: not just quoting Shakespeare and Spencer, but creating a narrative that is structored along Shakespearian and Spencerian lines. Fans of the medieval romance tradition may love the vision of the knight, the Lady, and the dragon which haunts James Ireton and the book. But Inklings fans --fans of Lewis, Tolkien, and Charles Williams-- will find the book particularly enjoyable, as it is a mystery in the tradition of the Christian romance (that's romance as in King Arthur, people, not as an in Danielle Steele!), grounded in theological truths. Murphy brings in the theology of the body and Hans Urs von Balthasar's theology of aesthetics, generally without pointing a huge narratorial finger at the influences. This should NOT scare away readers who are uninterested in or unaquainted with Catholic theology, however. You don't have to be a theologian to enjoy this book. (It probably helps more to be a mystery lover.) Suffice it to say that if you read the book and find yourself saying YES! at James Ireton's insistence that he needs beauty, and the novel's equation of ugliness and sin, then you may want to acquaint yourself with von Balthasar's theology of aesthetics, and if you find yourself eagerly nodding when Lupe talks about her body speaking a language to James, you may want to look into John Paul II's theology of the body, perhaps by way of Christopher West.

The novel is not perfect. Academic readers may find Murphy's description of literary theory and criticism to be a bit dated-- where's the post-colonialism? What happened to Edward Said? And who reads Derrida in English departments these days anyway? It's also worth pointing out that Marxism and New Historicism are not synonymous: for many historicists (who may have all different kinds of agendas), historicism is a methodology, not an ideology. For all the scholars of English who are interested in this book, I'd say, take these mistakes with a grain of salt, or else imagine the work as if it were set in the 80's, at which point it would be pretty accurate.

As for style and structure of the narrative, it took me a little while to get into the story, even though the book opens with some important events and encounters between characters. I also found it initially difficult to sympathize with James Ireton, but the novel develops his character fairly quickly and gives enough of the back story to help readers understand how he became who he is. However, like many mysteries, the book picked up speed in the second half; so much so that I made my husband wait to go out for dinner until I had finished the last 30 or 40 pages, because I couldn't stand not finishing it! For the most part, Murphy does a good job of maintaining all kinds of suspense: suspense about the crimes, but also about the characters' developments and relationships.

Mystery fans of many stripes will enjoy this book, I think, but Chesteronian readers and Inklings fans will be delighted with it and with Debra Murphy for working to start a new Catholic literary renaissance.


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The Mystery of Things The Ashland Grail Cycle Debra Murphy John Murphy 9781595970022 Books Reviews

This book was a hard-to-put down, compelling tale and one of the most entertaining and engaging Catholic novels I've ever read, filled with rich language and beautiful imagery, as well as excellent (and brilliant) writing. There's a definite Flannery O'Connor feel to it, but this novel was unlike any other Catholic novel I had ever read. As an NFP teacher and as a novelist whose own books' themes center around the Theology of the Body, I was particular impressed with how well the author illustrated these teachings within the context of the book.

The story centers around James Ireton, a man who grew up in England but who now lives in Milwaukee. He is unlike any other protagonist I've ever known and seems to have more vices than virtues. Although Catholic, he does not practice his faith at all (more specifically, he is promiscuous). In the midst of it all, he becomes a suspect in a series of local murders.

St. Francis De Sales' quote, "To believe is to be drawn," is illustrated quite well in this novel. James is attracted to a fellow student at the university, Guadalupe (Lupe), who is not the most beautiful woman he has ever met, but he is attracted to her all the same. She also stutters, but more importantly, is about as Catholic and faithful as they come.

The well-drawn and well-developed characters were so real to me and the situations so expertly described that during one particular scene, I actually yelled at one character "Don't do it!"

There is one proviso this book is not for the faint at heart, or those Catholics who do not want to read dialogue from characters blurting out swear words (yes, even the "F" word.) Because of the themes regarding sexuality, there are scenes which are particularly graphic. So if you are a Catholic who is bothered by sexual situations or graphic language, then this probably isn't the book for you. If, however, you can tolerate language and graphic descriptions, this novel is probably one of the most entertaining reads you'll ever enjoy.

There are so many things I love about this book and so many different aspects which will engage any reader. Although I have always appreciated a good murder mystery, this one in particular kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed the quotes from Shakespeare at the beginning of each chapter, and the references to Our Lady of Guadalupe, as well as the interesting and well-developed, multi-layered, believable characters. I highly recommend this book and I look forward to the author's future books!

Ellen Gable Hrkach
award-winning author
In Name Only
I had seen this book on a couple of "lists of Catholic fiction" and was curious about it. I didn't know much about it, but because I kept running into the title, I bought it used, with high expectations. I was not expecting a modern novel with a modern setting. The plot was just OK. Yes, it was Catholic for sure, but it really didn't wow me, and I thought the main female character gave much benefit of the doubt to the main male character.
Other reviewers have already noted that Debra Murphy draws a great deal from literature in this work not just quoting Shakespeare and Spencer, but creating a narrative that is structored along Shakespearian and Spencerian lines. Fans of the medieval romance tradition may love the vision of the knight, the Lady, and the dragon which haunts James Ireton and the book. But Inklings fans --fans of Lewis, Tolkien, and Charles Williams-- will find the book particularly enjoyable, as it is a mystery in the tradition of the Christian romance (that's romance as in King Arthur, people, not as an in Danielle Steele!), grounded in theological truths. Murphy brings in the theology of the body and Hans Urs von Balthasar's theology of aesthetics, generally without pointing a huge narratorial finger at the influences. This should NOT scare away readers who are uninterested in or unaquainted with Catholic theology, however. You don't have to be a theologian to enjoy this book. (It probably helps more to be a mystery lover.) Suffice it to say that if you read the book and find yourself saying YES! at James Ireton's insistence that he needs beauty, and the novel's equation of ugliness and sin, then you may want to acquaint yourself with von Balthasar's theology of aesthetics, and if you find yourself eagerly nodding when Lupe talks about her body speaking a language to James, you may want to look into John Paul II's theology of the body, perhaps by way of Christopher West.

The novel is not perfect. Academic readers may find Murphy's description of literary theory and criticism to be a bit dated-- where's the post-colonialism? What happened to Edward Said? And who reads Derrida in English departments these days anyway? It's also worth pointing out that Marxism and New Historicism are not synonymous for many historicists (who may have all different kinds of agendas), historicism is a methodology, not an ideology. For all the scholars of English who are interested in this book, I'd say, take these mistakes with a grain of salt, or else imagine the work as if it were set in the 80's, at which point it would be pretty accurate.

As for style and structure of the narrative, it took me a little while to get into the story, even though the book opens with some important events and encounters between characters. I also found it initially difficult to sympathize with James Ireton, but the novel develops his character fairly quickly and gives enough of the back story to help readers understand how he became who he is. However, like many mysteries, the book picked up speed in the second half; so much so that I made my husband wait to go out for dinner until I had finished the last 30 or 40 pages, because I couldn't stand not finishing it! For the most part, Murphy does a good job of maintaining all kinds of suspense suspense about the crimes, but also about the characters' developments and relationships.

Mystery fans of many stripes will enjoy this book, I think, but Chesteronian readers and Inklings fans will be delighted with it and with Debra Murphy for working to start a new Catholic literary renaissance.