"This is an intelligent, compelling, and beautifully-written book about the place of belief in contemporary American literature and culture. The eclectic mix of authors is gratifying, and each one is exhaustively researched."--Christopher Douglas, University of Victoria"Hungerford bravely takes on one of the great unanswered questions of contemporary literary criticism: what are we to do with the sacred? Her readings of literary texts are persuasive and powerful, and she pursues her case with subtlety, tenacity and elegance. This is a strong and persuasive book, contrarian to its core--I really know nothing like it out there."--Jonathan Freedman, University of Michigan