Loss and Gain: The Story of a Convert

"Loss and Gain: The Story of a Convert" by John Henry Newman is a fictional narrative written in the mid-19th century. It explores the complex journey of Charles Reding, a young man grappling with his faith and intellectual ideals while navigating the religious atmosphere at the University of Oxford. The narrative provides a portrayal of the thoughts, sentiments, and transformative experiences of converts to Catholicism, contrasting them with prevailing views during that time. The opening of the novel introduces us to Charles Reding, the only son of an Anglican clergyman, as he embarks on his academic journey at Eton and subsequently at Oxford. Through his father’s contemplations on education and virtue, Charles's character is framed as both thoughtful and sensitive, yet grappling with deeper philosophical questions about faith and belief. The early chapters depict his budding friendship with William Sheffield and their discussions about religion, authority, and personal conviction. This serves to set the stage for Charles's internal conflict as he encounters diverse opinions on faith, leading to a growing exploration of his convictions and the complexities of religious identity within a contemporary academic setting. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Henry Newman was an English Catholic theologian, academic, philosopher, historian, writer, and poet. He was previously an Anglican priest and after his conversion became a cardinal. He was an important and controversial figure in the religious history of England in the 19th century and was known nationally by the mid-1830s. He was canonised as a Catholic saint in 2019. He was a member of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri.