Loss and Gain

Loss and gain is a philosophical novel depicting the culture of Oxford University. Charles Reding is a new student at Oxford University. Trying to find out where he belongs, he finds himself drawn to Catholicism. This is a problem because Reding is a member of the Church of England. Eventually he decides to convert, much to the consternation and anger of his friends and family. The novel explains how Reding reaches the decision, by stating the Religious, Emotinal and Philosophical reasons why he must convert. It was Newmans first novel after 1845, when he abandoned the Church of England for Catholicism. Newman came under a lot of criticism at the time for this decision. Loss and Gain is a justification for Newman’s decision and an opening to a wider audience. Arguably the greatest influence on church doctrine and thinking during the 19th century, John Henry Newman was Beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on 19th September 2010.