In this conversation, Karen Swallow Prior explores the fiction of Flannery O'Connor, reflecting on themes of grace, suffering, satire, race, and the enduring relevance of O’Connor’s haunting vision of the American South. Together, they consider the role of Christian imagination in literature and why O’Connor’s stories continue to challenge and unsettle readers today.

 

Note: We’re pleased to share that Dr. Karen Swallow Prior will be teaching a course titled The Mysterious Manner of Flannery O’Connor in Summer 2026. She will also be giving an Evening Public Lecture (EPL) on Monday, June 8. You can experience an EPL in person or online at rgnt.net/live.