Genre
Graphic Novel, Biography
Audience
Ages 8 and Up
Author’s Worldview
Catholic
Year Published
2023
Themes
American literature, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Rose Hawthorne, Mother Mary Alphonsa, cancer history, American history, Catholic Saints, Venerable, puritan heritage

Reviewed by

Courtney Guest Kim
If you know anything about American literature, you know that Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote The Scarlet Letter, and that his stories explore the dark side of his Puritan heritage. What you might not know is that his daughter, Rose Hawthorne, became Catholic, then eventually a Dominican, Mother Mary Alphonsa, who in March 2024 was declared “Venerable” by the Vatican’s Congregation of Saints. This means that John Hathorne, one of the Salem witch trial judges, is just two miracles away from seeing his great-great-great-granddaughter canonized as a Catholic saint. (Nathaniel added a W to his surname to distance himself from this ancestor). 

Voyage Comics’ biography of Rose Hawthorne takes us on a fascinating journey. It begins with her birth into the household of the famous novelist and shows how her concern for the poor began from her father’s influence, which marked her profoundly even though he died when she was only thirteen. The narrative takes us through her young adulthood as a member of a family that was connected to most of the famous American literary figures of the late 19th century. Rose Hawthorne married George Lathrop, and both embarked on literary careers.

The death of their son, who succumbed to diphtheria at the age of four changed everything for Rose and George. They made a radical break from their social circle when they became Catholic. George’s conversion did not halt his descent into alcoholism, and it was this further tragedy that led to Rose’s venturing off alone to make a life without him. In 1896, she opened a three-room home for indigent cancer patients in New York’s Lower East Side, which at the time was a slum. In the late 19th century cancer was thought to be contagious. Not only were cancer patients turned away from hospitals, but they could also be evicted from rented homes. The first U.S. institution to admit cancer patients, New York Cancer Hospital (now Memorial Sloan Kettering) was founded in 1884, and Rose trained there to be a nurse. Eventually she went on to found Rosary Hill Home in Westchester County, which still provides free palliative care to patients with incurable cancer today. 

The teaching of the Catholic Church agrees with that of the Puritans on the point that all Christians are called to be saints. “Saints are persons in heaven (officially canonized or not), who lived heroically virtuous lives, offered their life for others, or were martyred for the faith, and who are worthy of imitation” (USCCB.org). So, though Nathaniel may have been alienated from his Puritan heritage, Rose’s journey was, in some respects a fulfillment of rather than a break with her paternal ancestry. According to the trajectory officially recognized by the Catholic Church, Rose Hawthorne as Venerable is someone whose intercession may be invoked to ask for a miracle, usually a healing from an incurable illness.

The artwork as always with Voyage Comics is engaging and vividly illustrates the life story of this fascinating but little known American heroine. The images of diseased patients are evocative without being gruesome. It is suitable for readers from elementary school through adulthood, and will be of interest to anyone who wants to explore American history.

Silence by Shusaku Endo

The story that introduced faith to one of the most secular nations on Earth

August & September New Book Releases

Step into Fall with a Good Book

The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch by T.M. Gaouette

A foster kid learns that sometimes the scariest part of life is accepting love.

Desperate Forest: The Forest Tales Series, Book 1 By Cece Louise

This RomCom fantasy adventure explores a princess discovering the realities of life outside of her kingdom and what true love is really made of.

Secrets: The Truth Will Out By Verity Lucia

Two little lines are about to change Elise’s perfect teen world.

October Books to Pray With: For a Shared Mission

A list of books exploring the theme of solidarity between clergy and laity.

The Mission of Joan Of Arc by Philip Kosloski, Alexandre Nascimento, and Jesse Hansen

Voyage Comics’ dynamic interpretation of the Life of Joan of Arc is based on the play written by St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

Freedom & Responsibility in “Citizen of the Galaxy” by Robert Heinlein

One of the masters of science fiction delivers a story exploring the limits of freedom and the ongoing battle against fallen human nature.

Jesus Do You Want to Be My Friend? by Mark Restaino, Illustrations by J.P. Alcomendas

This delightful picture book lets young readers imagine the daily life of the Christ Child while also teaching simple prayers.

Best of 2019

Comic Books, Classic Literature and newly converted Catholic authors– 2019 brought some excellent changes to the literary tradition of our faith.

Mary, Seat of Wisdom By, J.T. Frodin

A child’s journey with Mary to discover why her heart is pierced.

Treason by Dena Hunt

When the Queen Elizabeth’s agents are sent to investigate a small town, Protestant & Catholic alike must work together to avert tragedy.

A Spiritual Odyssey By Brian O’Hare

A wonderful testament to the love of God and how He never abandons us, even when we say no to Him for decades.

The Table by Dennis Lambert

A table built by the grandfather of Jesus Christ survives the darkest moment in history to bring peace to a widowed musician

Why Reading Fiction Made Me a Better Catholic

How reading fiction became a crucial step in my conversion to the Catholic Church.

Finding God Anew by Barbara Kudwa

After multiple divorces, a suicide, and a murder, Barbara Kudwa shares how she found peace through her faith in God.

Men at Arms by Evelyn Waugh

Evelyn Waugh’s great Catholic novel that is not Brideshead Revisited.

Saint Michael: Above the 38th Parallel by Shanti Guy

The true story of St. Michael, the original punch-communism-in-the-face superhero

Live and Let Bite Review by Declan Finn

The battle with the demons of San Francisco left Marco broken and now Amanda isn’t answering his messages.