A Confessional Portrayal of the Last Day in the Life of Thomas Merton, the Famous Catholic Monk and Writer
Why did Thomas Merton die the way he did?
Paul Hourihan’s powerful voice challenges our most basic assumptions about religion and spirituality in this intense, unforgettable rendering—in semi-fictional form—of the last hours of Thomas Merton’s life.
Why did the famous Catholic monk and acclaimed writer die so mysteriously and suddenly in a cottage room outside of Bangkok in December 1968?
In this radical reinterpretation of Merton’s character, Hourihan provides a convincing explanation to this question, which many Catholics have asked themselves. He probes the enigmatic event with such insight that the significance of Merton’s death is finally illuminated.
He sees Merton as a tragically divided soul unable to resolve his conflicts within a Christian framework. Consequently, he was driven for release into the world of Oriental mysticism. Hourihan also views him as a man who should not have become a monk in the first place. He sees him as falling victim to his own spiritual inadequacies, as well as to fame, and uncritical hero-worship from laity and clergy, both lacking knowledge of what constitutes a true mystic. This fact-based confessional novel will appeal to ex-Catholics and others with a Christian background searching for guidance outside of their traditional faith.
This spiritual book also reveals the unsuspected gap between the reality and the image of this 20th-century Catholic icon, exposing the truth behind the façade. Therefore, it is not recommended for warm admirers of Thomas Merton who want to maintain their cherished image of him.
Hourihan demythologizes Thomas Merton, a man sadly unsuited for the role his followers imposed on him. His basic conclusion is that Westerners lack grounding in a mystical orientation that would instruct them about the nature of spirituality. Hourihan, an American himself, reveals Western religious institutions as inadequate for understanding the deeper mystical traditions.
A Note of Caution
Rooted in the mysticism of the East, The Death of Thomas Merton is not intended to confuse or disturb the faith of anyone, but it is a novel likely to seem overly provocative to many, and may offend Westerners comfortable in their religious beliefs—especially warm admirers of Thomas Merton.
As religious faith is our most treasured possession, those who have it should guard it carefully. The present work is not for some.
No one should be ashamed of acting prudently in so crucial an area. We all know the experience of exposing our minds to books or films which, in retrospect, we would have done better to avoid. For certain individuals, The Death of Thomas Merton may be such an experience.
Please note: Since this book was first printed, further material facts have been discovered regarding Merton’s death that indicate a cover-up of evidence and possible foul play. Even so, the premise of the book — that Merton’s time had come and the reason for it —is still valid.
Reviews and Readers’ Comments
“In this complex work of fiction based on the last day in Thomas Merton’s life, Paul Hourihan has worked with words on the canvas of Merton’s life to create a dynamic picture of how his inner dialogue and his spirit’s quest may have evolved on that December day of 1968 in Bangkok. Through Hourihan’s words, Merton has become even more exalted in my consideration, because through The Death of Thomas Merton, I see myself in him and him in me. He is even more to be called venerable for his confrontation with a conflict that, were it fully known by his higher-ups, could potentially have raised the roof of theological and philosophical attitude.
“In Hourihan’s book, we sample what life is all about in our inner worlds through his portrayal of Merton. I highly recommend it to all readers, no matter what their opinion is about Thomas Merton, for they’ll put down the book—having finished it—with greatly enhanced insight.
“To me, the real question raised by Hourihan’s novel is, on that day when Thomas Merton died so suddenly, did something really die or was something being born?”
– Lily G. Stephen, author of The Third Verse Trilogy, Blooming Rose Press
“… A profound and thoughtful testimony … very highly recommended reading both as a work of fact-based fiction and as a thoughtfully speculative portrayal of Thomas Merton in terms of his life and his thought.”
– The Midwest Book Review, Oregon, WI
“Paul Hourihan’s depiction of the Catholic Church speaks so perfectly of the kind of institution that could create, and destroy, a person such as Merton. Hourihan’s honesty and insight expressed the exact feelings I had about the Church … history will prove the truth of his observations. We can only hope this wisdom will reach the masses, so to speak, and that the light and love that Christ taught will be spread beyond the dark walls that now attempt to confine it.”
– F. T. Barrett, Oakland, CA
“Dr. Paul Hourihan’s book opened many doors for me and added more mystery to the already curious death of the Trappist monk. His writing style brings you into Merton’s character to the point of believing it is not fiction, but what Thomas Merton was really going through at the time of his death.
“An excellent book recommended to anyone not afraid of truth and change.”
– Nick Ciampi, Redding, CA
“Very interesting and worth studying. What I liked was the openness and frankness of the religious topics which were touched upon…. The degree of penetration into the mind of Merton, the main character, is really amazing…. The chance to penetrate someone’s mind and to get an idea of their inner speech, born by contradictions, is really invigorating…. Not everyone will like the book, but it is my belief that it will provoke argument, and that is the most important thing. The main goal of art, in general, and literature in particular, is provoking feelings and emotions in our hearts and minds.”
– C. Benard, Daytona Beach, FL
DETAILS:
168 pages, 8.5″ x 5.5” (Quality paperback)
ISBN: 978-1-931816-01-4
$13.95 $11.96 Save 20% off Retail Price
Winner of the Spiritual Book Award from NCPA -2002