I went to Catholic school my whole life (Catholic school veterans will know what that means) and I really love consuming media that is critical of, or takes place within, a Catholic religious environment. For example — the 2008 movie Doubt, the TV show Midnight Mass on Netflix, the TV show Alias Grace. I also love the author Shalom Auslander who has written nonfiction books analyzing his relationship with Orthodox Judaism — not the same thing, but maybe worth mentioning?
I love a spooky creepy mysterious novel — like I really loved the vibes of The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enriquez , The Vegetarian by Han Kang and edit: anything ever written by Toni Morrison.
Edit: To put a finer point on it — I want Catholic magical realism, maybe?
There's something about the dark brutality embedded in some Catholic themes that I am really interested in exploring, because the outgrowths of some of the negative sides of the faith are things that I'm still grappling with today. The ones who know, know.
I'd love some book recommendations that take place within a context like that, ideally that have a Jayne Eyre vibe.
No judgement please! Please be nice!
by Famous-Cup5597