Southern Gothic novel known for its dark humor, religious themes and exploration of violence and redemption; written in 1960 by the University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop graduate and devout Catholic, O’Connor explores the themes of destiny and faith through the story of Franis Marion Tarwater, a young boy raised by his great-uncles to be a prophet.  The novel is set in the American South and shows the conflicting influences of a rural upbringing and modern urban life.