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February 9, 2023Doctor Robert Wise is the author of more than 36 books, with topics ranging from World War II to religion. Wise is an archbishop in the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches. He lives in Oklahoma City with his wife Margueritte. He is involved with ecumenical dialogue involving his church and the Catholic Church and has even met with Pope Francis.
His newest book is a historical novel of the life and martyrdom of Blessed Stanley Rother. The names of the bishops and family members in Rother's life have not been changed. Wise's information is based on Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda's biography on Blessed Stanley, “The Shepherd who didn't Run” (2019), Father David Monahan’s unpublished biography on Rother and from Rosemary Lewis. Wise acknowledges these sources in his work.
The book is divided into three parts – 50 chapters and an epilogue. There are no illustrations or maps. At times, I had to remind myself that this was a novel and not a non-fiction biography. To me this book is not overly dramatic, maybe because I know the historical story. It flows well and tells Blessed Stanley’s story. I have heard that Blessed Stanley had an Oklahoma drawl when he spoke, which is typical of rural Oklahomans. Wise accentuates this when he has Rother speak in the book. I am from rural Oklahoma, so I know what this accent sounds like, and Wise got it right. With my imagination I could “hear” it.
The cover of the paperback book has Blessed Stanley wearing a cassock, a surplice and a stole woven in Guatemala, which is synonymous with Blessed Stanley and the mission at Santiago Atitlan, with trees that seem to be on fire or have red autumn leaves. He is carrying a book, which is probably the New Testament that he translated into Tz'utujil. There is also a man in front of Blessed Stanley who looks to be wearing a cassock with a red or purple zucchetto on his head. I am not sure what that image means, but the cover is quite dramatic.
I discovered this book by accident on Amazon, only a few weeks before the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine is to be dedicated. Maybe that was a coincidence. This book is recommended to those interested in Blessed Stanley Rother and historical fiction.
Br. Benet Exton, O.S.B., Saint Gregory's Abbey, Shawnee, is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
