You won’t find “Theology of the Body Fiction” as an Amazon category. It’s a niche of contemporary Catholic fiction (also, unfortunately, not an Amazon category) that I describe as stories viewed through the lens of Pope St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. It doesn’t spout passages from his addresses, but it recognizes the truths contained therein.

The go-to source for such fiction is Full Quiver Publishing. You’ll find several of my books there, some of those listed below, and books by Ellen Gable. (Full Quiver Publishing was founded in 2004 by Ellen and her husband, James Hrkach.)

You can view My Books, all of which I term Theology of the Body fiction.

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The Bird and the Bees by Neena Gaynor
Oh, my heart. What is it about this gentle book that made it ache so? Had to be Ketch Devine.

I didn’t know what to expect from this first-time author, but what I discovered was a unique voice, a slew of wonderful similes, and a redemptive, empowering story with the unfailing, unconditional love of God at its heart.

Part women’s fiction, part romance, with a little mystery and a heavy does of Truth, The Bird and the Bees follows broke (financial and otherwise) nurse Larkin Maybie from the hills of Appalachian Kentucky to Presque Isle, on the Pennsylvania shores of Lake Erie. (A place not so far from my native Pittsburgh, recognizable from childhood memories.)

Enter too-good-to-be-true (or at least too-good-for-Larkin) minor leaguer Ketch Devine, whose easygoing, steady, no-strings-attached friendship, slowly wears down the walls Larkin has built around her damaged, guilt-ridden heart.

If you’re looking for a selfless romantic hero, you’ll find it, but The Bird and the Bees runs deeper, with layers to uncover about what it means to live and to what or whom we anchor our lives.
Theology of the Body Fiction recommendations make up August's Relevant Fiction Reviews. Share on X

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A Channel of Your Peace by Veronica Smallhorn
A Channel of Your Peace is a strong debut in my favorite little sub-genre: Theology of the Body fiction. Don’t let that put you off if it sounds heady or unfamiliar. A Channel of Your Peace is an honest look at the lies we tell with our bodies when we live in a way that doesn’t honor God’s design for marriage, family, and self-sacrificial love.

The author captures the heroine’s journey in a genuine, nonjudgmental way, allowing the reader to witness her heartache, suffering, and conversion in a gradual, natural way.

No matter how far we stray, God waits, right amidst the suffering and the joy, and welcomes us with open arms.

I enjoyed the Australian setting (with a slice of Mexico as well).

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The Father’s Son by Jim Sano
The Father’s Son delves deep into the life and mind of its main character, David, a seemingly successful Bostonian, whose dissatisfaction with his life is laid bare by his encounter with a new friend whom he meets regularly on the basketball court.

Catholic apologetics and psychology are grounded in one man’s story of self-discovery, healing, and redemption. Like all good stories, The Father’s Son is marked by hope. Regardless of the circumstances of our youth or the decisions we make, the call to holiness is universal and, with God’s grace, attainable.

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Image and Likeness: Literary Reflections on the Theology of the Body Even if you’ve read St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body from start to finish and a half dozen nonfiction books about it on the side, I guarantee this collection of shorts will uncover the teachings in ways you hadn’t considered. It will challenge you in unexpected ways. One or two (or more) of the stories may make you uncomfortable. While the writing is polished, the varnish coating the darkness of our lives is stripped, laying bare the truths written on our heart and the lies we tell with our bodies.

Recommended for reading, reflection, discussion, and even entertainment. A gritty but beautiful introduction not only to the Theology of the Body as it is lived (or rejected), but also to the breadth and promise of Catholic fiction being written by contemporary authors. These shorts are accessible to any careful reader, whether familiar with the Theology of the Body or not.

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Passport by Christopher Blunt
Passport is an unassuming but important book. There are no explosions, hospital scenes or violent crimes. It’s all quite ordinary, yet, at its heart, is all about the extraordinary – the interior drama created by simple choices about what we do, how we relate to others, and how we live.

Stan, an average guy looking for the right woman to marry, demonstrates that no sin is truly private. Sins and mistakes have consequences both for ourselves and others. We each have crosses to carry – daily – even those who lives look idyllic from the outside, like that of his friends, Jim and Maggie. Some crosses are of our own making (like Stan’s) and others just happen. Either way, it’s how we accept them that matters.

Stan (and the rest of us) live in a culture of instant gratification, but perhaps more insidious than our unrestrained desires is our belief that we can control every outcome. We can improve our appearance, our body, our home, our job and create lives that reflect our image of perfection or satisfaction. Stan’s biggest challenge is to let go of his will and make supreme, quiet, and generous sacrifices born of a desire to do what’s right, no matter the cost.

The pacing slows in the second half of the novel, and at times, it seemed like some of the messages served the author more than the narrative. Minor diversions into baby-wearing, natural family planning in hard cases, paying down debt, and living together before marriage come to mind here. These aren’t egregious tangents (with which I happen to agree), and as with the rest of the novel, they are well-written and not pedantic.

Christopher Blunt is not afraid to tackle the big issues and the hard cases, allowing the reader to walk through Stan’s struggles and doubts as well as those of his friends.

The ending is tension-packed with a satisfying and hopeful resolution. Overall, it’s a novel I’d highly recommend (and would like to give 4-1/2 stars if it were possible). Passport allows the reader to see the big picture – the supernatural picture, which we often overlook, thereby missing God’s constancy and generosity.

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Life-Changing Love by Theresa Linden
Not only is Life-Changing love an entertaining read, but it’s a great tool for launching conversations between teens and parents about their expectations for dating and relationships.

Caitlyn Summers is in love with being in love. She yearns for her first boyfriend and her first kiss. And she knows just the boy to make those dreams come true: Roland West. Only Roland, despite the mixed signals he sends, is not interested in having a girlfriend.

By contrast, Caitlyn’s gorgeous best friend Zoe has gone from zero to well beyond the speed limit in mere days with Roland’s dangerous older brother Jarret.

When Jarret’s twin Keefe returns from a trip to Italy with his father, he’s changed -unwilling to allow Jarret to manipulate him, introspective, pious, and intrigued by Caitlyn.

The lives of the West brothers and Caitlyn and Zoe turn topsy-turvy as they struggle to navigate obedience to their parents, the longings of their hearts, and the predicament Jarret and Zoe have created for themselves.

Theresa Linden does an outstanding job of capturing the tension of the teenage years. The result is a moving story that shows the consequences of premature sexual relationships and the value of pursuing friendships that honor God and respect the dignity of each person.

The author is a fellow member of the Catholic Writers Guild. I received an advance copy for my honest review.

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