One of the most beautiful elements of literature is its ability to offer a limitless variety of perspectives on the nature of man. Each story is unique in the experience it offers the reader. That is why, after recently discussing the role of art as an act of communion between humans, we decided to compare notes on the stories we've been reading lately and share how each author addresses the universal problem of isolation. Fasten your seat belts–this week Percy, Tolstoy, Hawthorne, Sartre, and McCarthy join the Andrews in the Great Conversation.

Referenced Works:

–An Experiment in Criticism by C.S. Lewis: literature "heals the wound of individuality"

–The Moviegoer by Walker Percy

–War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

–The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

–No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre: "Hell is other people."

–All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy

–Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

We love hearing your questions and comments! You can contact us by emailing [email protected], or you can visit our website www.centerforlit.com to find even more ways to participate in the conversation.