Merton and Waugh

A Monk, A Crusty Old Man, and The Seven Storey Mountain

by Mary Frances Coady

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Pub Date Mar 01 2015 | Archive Date Jun 12 2015

Paraclete Press

General Fiction (Adult) | Religion & Spirituality

Description

From 1948 to 1952 the lives of Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, and British novelist, Evelyn Waugh, were closely intertwined. During these years, Waugh became enthusiastic about American Catholicism, in particular, monasticism as seen through the eyes of the author of The Seven Storey Mountain. He agreed to edit Merton's autobiography and the subsequent Waters of Siloe, for publication in Britain. In this close examination of their friendship, through their correspondence, we see Waugh's coaching of a younger writer, and Waugh's brief infatuation with America. Most of all, we witness Merton the writing student and spiritual master and Waugh the master of prose and conflicted penitent. And we see how the two men diverge as the Second Vatican Council takes hold of Catholicism and the solid spiritual ground beneath them gives way.

A Note From the Publisher

Merton’s prolific correspondence also included letters exchanged with Evelyn Waugh as the famed author edited the British edition of Merton’s autobiography. Waugh challenged Merton—in sometimes cranky language--to become a better writer. A collection of their letters, Merton and Waugh: A Monk, A Crusty Old Man, and The Seven Storey Mountain by Mary Ann Coady, was published in March by Paraclete Press. —Lynn Garrett, Publishers Weekly

Merton’s prolific correspondence also included letters exchanged with Evelyn Waugh as the famed author edited the British edition of Merton’s autobiography. Waugh challenged Merton—in sometimes...

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A Note From the Publisher

Merton’s prolific correspondence also included letters exchanged with Evelyn Waugh as the famed author edited the British edition of Merton’s autobiography. Waugh challenged Merton—in sometimes cranky language--to become a better writer. A collection of their letters, Merton and Waugh: A Monk, A Crusty Old Man, and The Seven Storey Mountain by Mary Ann Coady, was published in March by Paraclete Press. —Lynn Garrett, Publishers Weekly

Advance Praise

"This volume deepens our understanding of Merton's early years as monk and writer and fleshes out one of his most intriguing relationships with a fellow writer. Engaging, informative, and illuminating!" —Christine M. Bochen, William H. Shannon Chair in Catholic Studies, Nazareth College

"Dedicated readers of Evelyn Waugh and Thomas Merton know of the connections between two major Catholic writers, especially of Waugh as editor and writing coach for Merton's work. But in this brief but thoroughly researched book, Coady provides important new details about Merton's role not just as willing student but as spiritual advisor to Waugh and puts those details into the cultural and religious context of the years after World War II in clear and sometimes eloquent fashion." —Robert Murray Davis, author of Brideshead Revisited: The Past Redeemed

"This careful study sheds light on Merton the writer with Evelyn Waugh as his tutor. It is also an interesting snapshot of the culture of midtwentieth century Catholic renewal."
—Lawrence S. Cunningham, John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology (Emeritus), The University of Notre Dame

“An absorbing exchange of letters between Thomas Merton and Evelyn Waugh, focusing principally on Waugh’s editing of the British publication of The Seven Storey Mountain and The Waters of Siloe. Waugh’s sometimes barbed comments caused Merton to reflect deeper on what he was writing and how he should respond, as positively as he could, to this influential Catholic novelist. A wonderful, brief study of both men.”
—Patrick Samway, S.J., editor of The Letters of Robert Giroux and Thomas Merton (forthcoming, University of Notre Dame Press, 2015)

"This volume deepens our understanding of Merton's early years as monk and writer and fleshes out one of his most intriguing relationships with a fellow writer. Engaging, informative, and...