Passing by the Dragon

"For those who know the Bible well but not literature, J. Ramsey Michaels introduces the wonders of Flannery O'Connor, whose creative stance toward the Bible produced the greatest religious fiction of the twentieth century. For readers of O'Connor searching to better understand where the religiosity is, Michaels is a fine guide. For O'Connor scholars, Michaels reveals the subtleties and complexities of O'Connor's use of various Bible translations."

--Marshall Bruce Gentry, Georgia College



"With deft allusion to O'Connor's biblically informed vision, Michaels offers a pleasurable and informative approach to O'Connor's fiction. The sheer fun of reading O'Connor is enhanced by the lucidly inviting work of this prolific and wise biblical scholar. Connecting like stories, as in the chapter 'Two Gentlemen Callers,' is among the felicities that will get you reading and rethinking the work of an American great. A marvelous achievement!"

--Paul Borgman, Gordon College



''A must-read book for all who study O'Connor.''

-- M. S. Stephenson, University of Texas at Brownsville. As reviewed in the September 2013 issue of CHOICE, Current Reviews for Academic Libraries