Good grief! This was such a weird book.

I have to admit that it had an easy reading style, which made it somewhat accessible. However, it often got bogged down by long spiritual conversations that seemed to go on and on. Despite that, I still found myself curious about what would happen next in the story.

The characters in this book had a mix of likeable and unlikable traits in their personalities. This is something that is often lacking in many books, and it was refreshing to see. However, their actions were so often appalling that it was really hard to overlook.

This book was presented to me as a historical book that dealt with the history of the Church of England. As an atheist, I was more than happy to read about that. But to my surprise, it also had a lot of torrid sexuality and trashy romance elements along with the philosophical discussions.

Ultimately, I have to say that I felt the plot was fundamentally unbelievable. It just didn't seem to hold together in a way that made sense to me. Maybe it was trying to do too many things at once, but whatever the reason, it just didn't work for me.

I'm truly torn when it comes to rating this particular piece.

In certain aspects, it closely resembles a soap opera. The plot lines, at times, verge on being a bit too far-fetched, stretching the boundaries of believability.

Moreover, some of the theological concepts presented are rather questionable, leaving room for much debate and speculation.

However, despite these flaws, it is an undeniably engrossing read. It has the power to draw you in and keep you hooked from start to finish.

What's more, it makes you think deeply about various issues, challenging your preconceived notions and expanding your intellectual horizons.

So, while it may not be without its faults, it does have that going for it, which makes it a worthy read nonetheless.

Overall, I find myself in a quandary when it comes to assigning a rating to this work.

The "glittering images" in Susan Howatch's title refer to the false facades of perfection that people and sometimes institutions put forward to impress the world with the appearance of having it all together.

In this novel, these images are related to the clergy and the church. The first third of the book presents a mystery: the Archbishop of Canterbury sends Canon Charles Ashworth to spy on the Bishop of Starbridge Cathedral. The bishop has publicly opposed the archbishop on the issue of acceptable grounds for divorce. Additionally, the bishop has an unusual living arrangement as his wife has a very beautiful assistant and the bishop is suspected of having feelings for her. The archbishop wants to ensure there is no inappropriate behavior.

Ashworth, during his assignment, becomes closely involved with the bishop's family and experiences a spiritual crisis. Part two is like an extended counseling session where the secrets and deficiencies of all the characters are revealed. Ashworth, in particular, confides in his spiritual director, Abbot Jon Darrow. All the characters seem to have spiritual deficiencies and weaknesses worth discussing.

In part 3, the spiritual and other issues are resolved. However, all of this occurs through a lot of conversation with little action (apart from dinner breaks and changing the location of the conversation), except for one scene of sex play in the woods, which is also full of talking. Although Howatch is skilled at writing dialogue, the constant "telling" rather than "showing" makes the book a bit tedious, especially as it extends to 434 pages. Given the nature of the characters, there is a lot of theology and spiritual talk, which is not light reading. So, this is not the book for those seeking a轻松的读物.

This was an incredibly satisfying book.

It began in a light and Wodehousy vein, but soon delved deep and became complex.

There were several moments of delighted realization as I, the reader, came to understand what was unfolding.

The book spoke to the kind of reality I inhabit, or perhaps the one I wish I did.

I believe my absolute favorite aspect of this book was its handling of Christianity, Christians, and the church.

It is uncommon to discover fiction that has a nuanced and compassionate perspective on any of these.

However, I found the book to be theologically captivating without being the least bit prudish or preachy.

There were genuine Christians, motivated by real faith and supported by a church that had some truly excellent ideas.

I'm not certain I've ever witnessed that done as well elsewhere.

I am an avid reader, often gulping down books.

Most of the time, I can't help myself.

But this is a book to be sipped, like a fine glass of wine.

Read it if: you relish post-war-period English novels, you appreciate a complex narrator, you would enjoy a nuanced view of Christianity, and you like good books.

Avoid it if: you cannot tolerate any sex scenes in your literature, you find books about the journey of the mind/spirit/soul dull and desire more explosions, or you are overly triggered by child loss.

The Starbridge series is truly an amazing creation.

It masterfully weaves together historical fiction, psychology, theology, and mysticism into a seamless whole.

Each element complements and enriches the others, forming a complex and captivating tapestry.

As you progress through the series, you'll find that the story becomes increasingly rich and detailed, drawing you deeper into its world with each page.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is engaging, making it a must-read for anyone interested in these genres.

Whether you're a fan of historical fiction, psychology, theology, or mysticism, the Starbridge series has something to offer.

So, if you're looking for a unique and thought-provoking read, give this series a try.

You won't be disappointed.

This was truly an odd book.

It starts out with a rather prurient investigation into an Anglican Bishop's marriage, which is carried out by an Anglican cleric. The story then takes a sudden turn and veers into a repentance narrative about the cleric. In this part, he interacts with an Anglican monk who has a certain gift of perception or "a bit of the sight" about him.

After that, it veers, ever so slightly, towards the theme of the Exorcist.

I found myself liking certain parts of the book, skimming through others, and being completely perplexed by some sections. It was a strange and somewhat disjointed reading experience, but it also had moments that held my attention and made me want to keep turning the pages to see where the story would lead next.

Overall, it was a book that was difficult to categorize and one that left me with a mix of feelings and impressions.

**A Third Reading: A Deeper Dive into the Series**

A few months shy of a decade ago, on my 40th birthday, as we announced my wife's pregnancy with our first child, we went on our first cruise. I devoured the initial books in this series. Before reading, I had a hazy understanding of Spiritual Direction. Glittering Images, though melodramatic, made the concept click. When I returned home, I sought a spiritual director. I contacted the closest one listed on Spiritual Direction International (now Spiritual Companions International), and nearly ten years later, we're still meeting, now via video conference. I even started training to be a spiritual director myself.

The series is historical fiction set from the 1930s to the 1960s, focusing on Church of England clergy. Most books feature a clergyperson in crisis, followed by a spiritual director helping with healing. In this book, Charles Ashworth is sent on a secret mission. I'm not a huge fan of the first part where characters make bad decisions, but part two, with its exploration of the roots of problems and the search for healing, draws me in.

However, the series has its flaws. Written from the mid-1980s to the early 2000s, it's not as aware of trauma and spiritual abuse as I'd like. Most books center around clergy sexual sin, which I think should be permanently disqualifying. There's also quite a bit of Freudian pop psychology and the use of "psychic gifts" that can be distracting. Despite this, the series has many positives. It takes generational sin seriously and promotes a holistic view of healing. The overlapping characters form an arc that shows God can use broken people and emphasizes long-term spiritual formation.

As I continue to read and write about the series, I'll grapple with its ideas without giving away too much. I'm currently on the fifth book and look forward to seeing how Howatch addresses some of my earlier objections. Overall, I really like this series and recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction with a focus on faith and spiritual direction.

I have extremely complex feelings regarding this book. It was recommended within another book as being centered around spiritual direction. And indeed, that forms a substantial part of the narrative. However, there is a great deal more happening here.

I was not as captivated by the wild romance aspects of the story. Although I was intrigued by the internal politics of the Church of England. In some sections, it read like a soap opera. Just how many troubled marriages could there be with such fascinating complications? And who would have known that Anglican clergymen engaged in so much illicit sexual activity?

But I found the spiritual direction elements even more disconcerting. They were intertwined with Freudian psychology, psychic powers, and even hypnotism. No spiritual direction that I am familiar with operates in this manner. A good director encourages his/her directees to seek psychological assistance in a separate context.

I cannot say that I will read any further in this series.

Thanks goodness for Kindle Daily Deals!

I had never even heard of Susan Howatch until I got this in my Kindle daily notices. The book's description intrigued me, so I decided to purchase it.

Well, that turned out to be a great day. Even though there are hundreds of other books on my Kindle, I quickly gravitated to Glittering Images. What a wonderful book it is! It has religious, psychological, and personal twists and turns throughout the novel.

Many others have written reviews on this book, so I don't need to echo their comments. Instead, I want to praise an author I had never heard of until about a month ago and wonder why I had not heard of her before. As an avid reader, I'm always looking for new authors and new subjects to read about. Howatch is now on my list, and there are another 4 books on my Kindle with more to come whenever I can find a price break!

Great book, wonderful topic and characters. I'm looking forward to the 2nd book of this series.

I’ve never read a book quite like this.

It’s truly a unique experience. I’ve also never underlined as much as I did in this work of fiction.

The characters are so well-developed and engaging. They come to life on the pages, making me feel as if I know them personally.

The writing is smart and witty, with a style that keeps you hooked from beginning to end.

But what really sets this book apart is its wise spiritual depth.

It delves into profound themes and makes you think about life, love, and the human condition.

If you read the first half and think you’re just embarking on a romance novel, push through.

There’s so much more to discover as you progress through the story.

You’ll be rewarded with a rich and fulfilling reading experience that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

I found this book to be one of the most thought-provoking I’ve ever read.

It is truly a psychological masterpiece that delves deep into the inner thoughts, conflicts, and tragedies of its characters. I was completely engrossed and could hardly put it down.

The writing is so excellent that it should be regarded as literature of the highest caliber.

However, one reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is the pace at which the main characters, especially Rev Ashworth, fall in love. I simply can't understand such hasty decisions.

Perhaps the author's intention was to show that this is what led to so many problems in these people's lives, but that's not how I perceived it.

In my opinion, what was presented as love was really just hopeful infatuation. Since the story was told from the first-person perspective, maybe that was the point, but it still didn't make much sense to me.

Maybe I'm too old-fashioned and should consider that this is how many people behave when it comes to matters of the heart.

Nevertheless, the entire plot makes you think, and that is always a good thing.

It forces you to question your own beliefs and attitudes towards love and relationships.

Overall, despite its flaws, this book is definitely worth reading.

I was a member of the clergy for 21 years.

Susan Howatch has an incredibly deep and profound insight into the thinking and motivations of clergy. It's not all sunshine and roses. If only people knew the truth, our seemingly glittering images would come crashing down to the ground, shattering into thousands of tiny shards.

The powerful psychological prose in her work is presented with such vivid imagery that it truly brings the story to life. The setting, which is a glittering image itself, serves as a metaphor and foreshadowing of the characters' lives, skillfully presented by the author.

The characters are well-developed within a flawless plot. The writing is to literature what a Stradivarius is to violins - a masterpiece. This is my second reading of Glittering Images. I first read the novel in 2002 after a friend recommended it. Surprisingly, the book was even better the second time around.

Self-deception is a prevalent theme throughout the story. Oh, how we convince ourselves of the lies we tell ourselves and then wonder why our psyche and our lives are in chaos, while the world around us can only see our glittering exterior. They have no idea what lies beneath or why. But, truth be told, neither do we.

It makes you question everything you thought you knew about yourself and the people around you.