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.

A Very Jurassic Christmas by Corinna Turner

Christmas with Jurassic dinosaurs is often wild!

Books to Pray With, March: For the New Martyrs

Every month in 2024 Pope Francis has a monthly prayer intention. Every month we will release a book list that will draw your heart and soul deeper into prayer on these topics.

October Books to Pray With: For a Shared Mission

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

My Brother’s Keeper by Bill Kassel

What if you were Jesus’ protective older brother? Could you navigate the courts of Rome & Jerusalem to save him?

Champion of Valdeor by Sandralena Hanley

Fed up with modern 1st person, present tense narratives bursting with ‘hip’ characters? Look no further!

Seeking Allah Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi

When a Muslim man asks God to show him who he is, he is unprepared for the answer.

Broken Brain; Fortified Faith: Lessons of Hope Through a Child’s Mental Illness

When her daughter is stricken insane her mother finds the grace to do what she must to save her and bring her back to sanity.

Will Wilder and the Relic of Perilous Falls

Follow Will Wilder as he discovers a hidden world, fights demons and rescues a hidden treasure!

The Silence of Bones by June Hur

A young slave girl in ancient Korea investigates a murder & meets real life Korean Catholic saints

Honor at Stake by Declan Finn

If you’re looking for a vampire-romance with a truly unique twist look no further.

Earthquake Weather by Kevin Rush

The mist that settles over San Francisco hides the ugly parts of her world. Can Kristine find the courage to see with unclouded eyes?

Sister Aloysius Arrives at Our Lady of Sorrows By Linda Etchison, Illustrated by Denise Plumlee-Tadlock

Sister Aloysius teaches love and respect in the family through prayers to Mary.

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.

Sisters of the Last Straw Book 1, 2 & 3: by Karen Kelly Boyce

Exploding kitchens, runaway goats, and ghosts in the chapel. Life in the Little Sisters of the Last Straw is never boring.

A Pius Man by Declan Finn

A hilarious espionage action adventure in the Vatican. Also a halberd fight scene. Nuff Said.

The Light by Jacqueline Brown

Even as the world & nation she knew winks out of existence, Bria discovers family secrets that leave her questioning everything.

Me, Ruby & God; A Journal of Spiritual Growth by Linda Crowley

A beautiful memoir about the love of God and the love of a good dog.

Life Choices The Gift By Pat Wiedemer, Neil Thompson, Philip Kosloski

Casey’s birthday present to Josh is a little more than they bargained for.

Beneath Wandering Stars by Ashlee Cowles

A young girl goes pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago on behalf of her brother and finds her place in the world.

Calling All Booklovers! – Editor Positions Open

Do you love reading books and getting other people to read them? Join our team and make your mark on today’s Catholic literary revival.