Susan Howatch holds such an intriguing perspective on the Church and faith voyages. I relish reading her works just as I delight in perusing books by Andrew Greeley. Their concepts fascinate me, and although the prose style is somewhat ordinary, in my humble opinion, Howatch's style outshines Greeley's.

This book combines psychic ability, orthodox Christianity, and Jungian psychology in an engaging manner that lies beyond my personal notion of a mystical experience. Even when regarded as fantasy fiction, the main character grasps the vital significance of being his true self rather than who he believes his father desires him to be, and his Christianity consequently blossoms.

The story is set in England during the 1960s. I was intrigued to learn that the book's Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Ramsey, was indeed a real individual. When I looked him up on Wikipedia, I discovered that I think I would have liked him. However, he provides the epigraphs rather than participating in the action, yet his inclusion indicates Howatch's vision of what good religion and a worthy religious leader should resemble.

I read the six books in this series during 2011 - 2012. It was an experience that truly captivated me. The witty dialogue within the pages was like a spark that lit up the story, making it come alive. The sophistication of Howatch's characters was remarkable. They were not just one-dimensional figures but complex individuals with their own thoughts, feelings, and struggles. What really intrigued me was the fact that they grappled with theological thought. Even when I didn't entirely agree with their theology, it made me think and question my own beliefs. It was as if Howatch was inviting the readers into a world where ideas were explored and debated. These books were not just entertainment but also a source of intellectual stimulation. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good read that challenges the mind and touches the heart.

Why is it that my favorite characters are not the lead characters for my favorite books in this series? Hmmm...

Once again, Susan Howatch manages to tell an interesting story. She details a mysterious death in the English setting of the 1960s Anglican Church. The story is filled with intrigue and mystery, as Howatch weaves a web of characters and events that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

All the favorite characters from the first 4 books are revisited as the mystery unfolds. It's like reuniting with old friends and seeing how they've changed and grown. The author does a great job of bringing these characters to life and making them feel real and relatable.

I'm looking forward to book 6 and the conclusion of the Starbridge series. I can't wait to see how the story ends and what happens to all my favorite characters. I'm sure it will be a satisfying conclusion to a great series.

The protagonist of the story seemed to have been plucked directly from an earlier era.

His mental rigidity was so pronounced that it seemed completely out of place in the current time period.

It was as if he was living in a bygone age, unable to adapt to the changing times and the new ways of thinking.

Despite the challenges and the modern world constantly bombarding him with new ideas and concepts, he remained steadfast in his old ways.

However, this time around, he finally managed to finish something.

It was a small victory, but perhaps it was a sign that he was starting to break free from the shackles of his mental rigidity and embrace the possibilities of the present.

Only time would tell if this was a one-time occurrence or the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

I truly enjoyed reading the book.

It was indeed a rather strange story. It didn't follow the path that I initially thought it would take, nor did it go in the direction that it seemed to be headed at the halfway point.

Surprisingly, it even deviated from what it appeared to be concluding in the last 100 pages.

For the most part, I really liked the way the author handled the aspect of religion. It was quite interesting to witness an attempt to展示 different attitudes and schools of thought within the church in the UK.

However, I was a little put off when the combination of psychology and religion seemed to be a bit forced.

Nevertheless, it worked most of the time and didn't overly detract from the overall enjoyment of the book.

Despite its oddities and the moments where it felt a bit forced, the book still managed to hold my attention and keep me engaged until the very end.

I would definitely recommend it to others who are looking for a unique and thought-provoking read.

I often find myself rereading these works every few years.

Each time, I am amazed by their enduring quality and how they remain superb.

Their themes are timeless, and the way they are written continues to captivate me.

It's as if they have a magic that never fades.

These books or articles offer valuable insights and perspectives that I can always learn from.

They have become a source of inspiration and knowledge for me over the years.

No matter how many times I read them, I always discover something new and interesting.

They are truly a treasure trove of literary excellence.

I am grateful to have these works in my life and look forward to many more rereadings in the future.

Nicholas Darrow, the son of Jonathan Darrow, is a deeply muddled individual. Just like his father, he possesses psychic abilities. However, he is also extremely proud, which sometimes makes him not always likeable.

When Nicholas is requested to assist in the investigation of the mysterious death of Christian Aysgarth, this investigation leads him on a journey into the darkest recesses of his consciousness. As he grapples with trying to understand why Christian's life took such a sharp and unexpected turn, Nicholas is compelled to pose some very painful questions about his own life. These questions include his relationship with his father.

Howatch is truly a master storyteller. The book concludes in a way that leaves the reader seriously pondering how Nicholas will fare in the future. Yet, Howatch seems to understand that life is a continuous journey of evolution. Therefore, she intentionally refrains from neatly tying off all the loose ends at the close of this book, leaving the story open to interpretation and further exploration.

The interest just keeps on going.

I am completely immersed in reading, with a strong desire to know more and more.

However, at the same time, I find myself not wanting to finish this wonderful journey.

For me, this series of books is truly the most absorbing one I've ever read.

It has the power to captivate my attention from the very first page and hold it firmly until the end.

The characters are so vivid and the storylines are so engaging that I can't help but get lost in their world.

Each book in the series seems to open up a new and exciting adventure, leaving me eagerly anticipating the next one.

I feel like I could read these books over and over again and still discover something new each time.

They have become a source of great joy and entertainment for me, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a truly captivating read.

For some unknown reason, I was under the impression that I had read all the books in this series. However, it was only when I picked up a particular volume and started reading that I realized I had skipped from the fifth to the sixth. Going back to the fifth book in the series has been a truly refreshing experience.

Mystical Paths delves deeper into Darrow's psychic powers, with an added twist of solving a mystery that spans both the physical and the psycho-social-spiritual realm. Howatch does a wonderful job of integrating mystery, psychology, and spirituality seamlessly.

An interesting observation is that many characters who have lost their spirituality have succumbed to addiction, often unaware of either the cause or the consequence. My only criticism is that the author sometimes struggles to know when to end a novel. This particular one had the potential to end at least three different times.

Some of the top quotes from the book include: "you're living at odds with the man you have the potential to become." "The sad part was that everything I said was true but I was going about the healing in entirely the wrong way. As I was to be taught later, you can’t heal the sick by force-feeding them with ideas they’re not ready to accept; you can’t cure people by the simple imposition of your will. It’s the power of the Holy Spirit that heals, not the power of a would-be wonder-worker trying to play God." "So many people fail to realise that the greatest journey one can ever take is the journey to the very centre of one’s being.”

Sin is described as turning away from God, or in other words, alienation occurs when the ego, that unpredictable driver of the personality, temporarily veers off the path of the great quest for integration with the inner self, the authentic self that holds the potential to be fully human, fully fulfilled, and fully alive.

"No demon can withstand the power of Christ," said my father, repeating the words he had used long ago. What he meant was that no dissociated mind can resist the integrating power of the Living God, whose spark lies deep within the core of the unconscious mind and who can not only heal the shattered ego but also unify the entire personality.

Sin/alienation is regarded as a psychological disease that, if left unhealed, can lead to the living hell of lost hopes and blighted lives. It is also noted that science destroys only the false ideas about religion, while complementing and exploring the true ones.

Religion is about integration, about successfully aligning the selfish ego with the centre of the personality where God exists as a divine spark in every human being. It is about helping man to live in harmony with his true self and to become the person God has designed him to be. That writer clearly understood that the quest for God is a quest for psychic integration, a wholeness that allows the ego to be subjugated, the true self to prevail, and the entire personality, both conscious and unconscious, to be open to and in accordance with God’s will and God’s love.

One of the remarkable aspects of this book is that it deftly guides the reader into the St. Benet trilogy.

Not only does it seamlessly integrate into the Starbridge series, vividly capturing the essence of the 1960s, but it also constructs an excellent framework for the tales set in the 1980s and 1990s.

The author's skill in weaving these different time periods together is truly impressive.

The book serves as a bridge, connecting the past with the future and allowing the reader to embark on a journey through different eras within the Starbridge universe.

It offers a rich and immersive reading experience, filled with engaging characters, complex storylines, and a sense of nostalgia for the 1960s.

Whether you are a fan of the Starbridge series or simply looking for a captivating read, this book is sure to satisfy.

It sets the stage for the subsequent novels in the St. Benet trilogy, leaving the reader eager to discover what lies ahead.

Overall, it is a testament to the author's talent and creativity.

Susan almost channels Agatha Christie in this one

I really enjoyed this little slice of Church of England history.

It was truly fascinating to learn about the traditions, the architecture, and the people who have been a part of it over the years.

The Church of England has such a rich and diverse past, and it is amazing to think about how it has evolved and influenced the lives of so many.

From the beautiful cathedrals and churches that dot the landscape to the important religious ceremonies and events that take place, there is so much to explore and discover.

Whether you are a history buff or simply interested in learning more about different cultures and religions, delving into the history of the Church of England is sure to be a rewarding experience.

I look forward to continuing to explore this fascinating topic and uncovering more of its hidden gems.