The Substance of Things Hoped For

Fiction and faith collide in this collection of the finest modern Catholic short stories, featuring an introduction from John B. Breslin, S.J.

This stunning story collection includes works by:
 
Heinrich Böll • Morley Callaghan •  Elizabeth Cullinan • Andre Dubus • Stuart Dybek • Shusaka Endo • Mary Gordon • Graham Greene • Josephine Jacobsen • John L’Heureux  • Bernard MacLaverty • François Mauriac • John McGahern • Walter M. Miller, Jr. • Flannery O’Connor • Breece D’J Pancake • Walker Percy • J.F. Powers • Ignazio Silone • Muriel Spark • Tobias Wolff"A simply stellar collection of fiction...an amazingly rich anthology."
–Washington Post Book World

"The literary quality of this new anthology is certainly very high...establishing a standard of excellence...by obviously gifted contributors...an excellent selection of short stories...I wouldn't...overemphasize the Catholic dimension to these stories, because they stand on their own as simply good fiction...They are inclusive, well-written, moving, challenging stories. The variety is also impressive.  One will find enrichment reading these stories."
–Provident Book Finder

"The stories are what make the book...I found them dazzling...the authors not only tell a tale, but deal with ultimate human questions."
–Daily Press (Newport News)

"The proof of the pudding is in the eating therof; the fare served in this collection of twenty-one short fiction selections from mainly current Catholic authors proves that Father Breslin has a distinguished sense of taste.

"This collection is a relief from a lot of current fiction that seems faithless, unaware of the spark of divinity in characters, and mechanically insensitive to any evolutionary journey toward destiny in harmony with divinity.  There is nothing pedestrian, shallow, or escapist in the outlook on life that shapes these stories.

A totally satisfying menu; thank you, Father Breslin."
–Prairie Messenger

"...such a welcome publication...The variety of styles and approaches to Catholicism make the reading of these authors' stories a delightful and thought-provoking experience."
–The Long Island CatholicJohn B. Breslin, SJ, (1943–2016) was a Jesuit priest, writer, and professor. He was ordained in 1973 and later received his MA and PhD in English literature from Yale University. His passion for writing led him into a literary career publishing many articles for The Washington Post and The New York Times. From 1981 to 1989, Father Breslin taught English literature at Georgetown University, where he was also the director of the Georgetown University Press.