Books of 2007: Literature and Theology–John Scrivener

Friends of The Reader recommend their books of 2007.

By John Scrivener

The new book (new to me anyhow) I most enjoyed was The Betrothed, Alessandro Manzoni's famous historical novel. I expected the story of Renzo and Lucia's thwarted marriage to be a rather stilted affair, but not at all. It's a wonderful book, richly-toned and with a surprising and sometimes subversive sense of humour. Deservedly a classic. Outside literature I most enjoyed Oliver O'Donovan's two books of 'political theology', Desire of the Nations and Ways of Judgement. A mind of wide range and rare distinction.

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John Scrivener is an editor of The Reader magazine and teaches literature courses in Continuing Education at the University of Liverpool.