Renewing Catholic Literature
Dappled Things magazine turns 5.
“Glory be to God for dappled things.”
That’s from “Pied Beauty” by Victorian poet and Jesuit Gerard Manley Hopkins — and the inspiration for the name of the Catholic literary magazine Dappled Things, which just turned five.
The magazine redesigned its website and has a special (free) commemorative edition online for its anniversary.
Ivy League Catholic students founded the magazine as an online-only publication. They wanted to renew the literary tradition that brought about the work of Catholic authors like J.R.R. Tolkien and Flannery O’Connor. The first print edition was published in June 2007.
“The editors hope the new site will make a significant contribution to the future of Catholic culture, employing social media to promote creative work that stands apart from what is usually found in popular culture by engaging man’s nature as a being created in the image of God,” noted a recent press release.
As an English major and journalist, I appreciate efforts to promote good literature and creativity.
I especially appreciated the review of a new edition of Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park (Austen is my favorite author) and this quote from the essay on G.K. Chesterton: “The greatest art helps lift our neighbors to God, even our neighbors who have not been born yet. It is not a passing thrill, but an inspiration for the ages.”
Well written.
Amy Smith Amy Smith is a Register senior editor who edits features for the “Culture of Life” section. Fueled by prayer and coffee, she enjoys writing about everything from Jane Austen to saints for the Register. She is the author of The Plans God Has for You: Hopeful Lessons for Young Women (Emmaus Road Publishing). Her writing has also appeared in various other Catholic publications. She has a master’s degree in journalism and a B.A. in English.
