Contact: Rose Trabbic, Publicist, Ignatius Press, 239-867-4180, rose@ignatius.com

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 4, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- This fall, Ignatius Press will release two novels, "Ida Elisabeth" and "The Song at the Scaffold", both written by spiritual, intuitive women who possessed formidable intellects and achieved world-wide critical acclaim for their literary works. Sigrid Undset, author of "Ida Elisabeth", won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1928, and Gertrud von le Fort, author of "The Song at the Scaffold", was nominated for the prize by the great German novelist Hermann Hesse.

Gertrud von le Fort and Sigrid Undset entered the Catholic Church within two years of each other. Though from different backgrounds, both women were deeply disturbed by the impact of modern ideologies on western society -- especially on its view of womanhood and, in particular, motherhood.

"Ida Elisabeth"

This novel tells the story of a woman named Ida Elisabeth, who in an effort to redeem her reputation, marries her teenage sweetheart, Frithjof. Early in their marriage, she realizes that her charming husband is incapable of supporting the family and sews dresses to make ends meet. When her husband becomes involved with another woman, Ida Elisabeth leaves him and moves with her children to a small town.

Still young, the admirably hardworking Ida Elisabeth attracts the attention of a successful lawyer, who possesses the manly virtues that her husband lacked. As she contemplates marrying again, Frithjof, now gravely sick, reenters her life.

Even in her historical novels, the Nobel Prize-winning Undset tackled contemporary themes. With its setting in modern times, "Ida Elisabeth" examines the difficulties inherent in male-female relationships as they are experienced in contemporary society. "Ida Elisabeth" poignantly illustrates how poor choices affect the course of a person's life and how the suffering endured because of grievous mistakes can become the means by which a love is purified. Her profound understanding of the human heart is powerfully displayed in this compelling drama about fidelity and forgiveness.

"The Song at the Scaffold"

Set during the French Revolution, this classic novella is based on the true story of the Carmelite nuns of Compiègne, who offered their lives for the preservation of the Church in France.

The story unfolds around the fictional character of Blanche de la Force, an excessively fearful aristocrat who enters the Carmelite convent in order to flee the dangers of the world. As the Reign of Terror begins, Blanche is no safer in the convent than in the streets of Paris, and some of the sisters begin to doubt her ability to endure persecution and possibly martyrdom.

The fates of Blanche and the other Carmelites take several unexpected turns, leaving the reader with an inspiring witness not only of martyrdom but of God's power being glorified in human weakness.

Both novels still relevant today

These two great novels by von le Fort and Undset are as pertinent now as when they were first written; in fact, they might be more relevant today because modern western societies are much further along in their denial of the differences between men and women and the meaning of those differences with respect to not only human relationships but also man's relationship to God.

To request review copies or an interview with Editor Vivian Dudro, please contact:

Rose Trabbic, Publicist, Ignatius Press
(239)867-4180 or rose@ignatius.com