This is a captivating story about an Anglican priest. He is dispatched to the residence of a bishop with the task of looking into a possible scandal. However, as events unfold, he himself becomes embroiled in the very scandal he is supposed to investigate. The true essence of the story commences when he completely collapses and is then despatched to a monastery for psychological and spiritual restoration.

I discovered this novel to be an absolute page-turner. I was completely engrossed and simply couldn't put it down! It offers a profound analysis of how our past has a significant impact on the course of our life. Moreover, it emphasizes that Jesus Christ is the sole entity capable of altering that course in a genuine and enduring manner. Nevertheless, it is presented through the medium of an Anglican soap opera, which may not appeal to everyone's taste.

Despite this, the story's depth and the exploration of these themes make it a worthwhile read for those interested in delving into the complex interplay between our past, our spiritual journey, and the role of faith in transforming our lives.

I've been entranced.

As I delved into this book, I felt as if I had joined Susan Howatch on the very ledge of the human experience. Side by side with her, we embarked on a journey to investigate the detailed and intricate complexities that lie within it.

Mind you, she did all the heavy lifting. It was her masterful writing that guided me through this exploration. She graciously offered me a chance to remain open-minded when faced with the dichotomies that life presents.

Only then, with an open heart and a receptive mind, am I able to find the mysteries that lie beyond the mysteries in my own life. This book has truly been a revelation, opening my eyes to a world of hidden meanings and profound insights.

It has made me realize that there is always more to discover, more to understand, and more to embrace in the beautiful and often baffling tapestry of human existence.

I first delved into this series during my early 20s while pursuing my Religious Studies degree. At that time, I was deeply engrossed in the religious life, not with the intention of adopting it for myself but rather as a means of cultural and sociological observation.

The series unfolds in a manner not dissimilar to a Robertson Davies series, which might be another factor that drew me to it. In subsequent volumes, minor or secondary characters introduced in the first one take center stage. This particular book focuses on Charles Ashworth, a vicar (or perhaps a priest, as these terms can sometimes be interchangeable and at other times have quite specific meanings) in Cambridge. He is assigned by the Archbishop of Canterbury to look into a potential scandal in the palace of the Bishop of Starbridge. What Ashworth discovers there nearly overwhelms him, as his soul is already in a precarious state after a long period of evading his spiritual issues.

I imagine this is a significant matter for the clergy. Although they are not expected to be perfect since they are human, they must always be accountable for their spiritual well-being. Balancing faith and belief with the realities of being human can indeed be a challenge for those constantly immersed in the supernatural. Thus, a large part of this book chronicles Charles' descent into a crisis, his unraveling, and then his subsequent reconstruction with the assistance of Father Jon Darrow, a monk who serves as a spiritual director to other clergymen. Their conversations resemble psychoanalysis but constantly reference their Christian spirituality.

What I appreciate about these books is that they tell the story of religious individuals without attempting to convert the reader. In fact, the clerical characters are portrayed as being just as flawed and fallible as the laypeople who appear, if not more so. I hope to continue reading these books, as I firmly believe that stories evolve as people age and mature. However, it will be some time before I return to Starbridge, as I have a substantial stack of books to work through first.

Holy Cow! What an amazing story Susan Howatch has crafted.

The narrative is filled with depth and countless twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. I'm extremely glad that this is merely the first book in a vast series.

However, having a baby makes it more difficult to find the time to fully immerse myself in a detailed book like this. These books are not meant to be read quickly.

Nevertheless, they are entirely worth your time. Howatch's writing is so engaging and the storylines so intricate that you'll find yourself completely captivated.

Each page turn reveals something new and exciting, and you'll be eager to discover what lies ahead in the next installment of this wonderful series.

On finishing this novel, I found myself thanking God. My life, in comparison, is so uncomplicated.

This is a taut spiritual and psychological ecclesiastical thriller, filled with impressive angst. I devoured it; it was a book that I hated to put down. Instead, I delighted in new words like 'apostate', which is so (sadly) useful in the Church of England nowadays. And I was charmed by the thought of a door opened by “a butler “who looked like a character from a Trollope novel,” (no, not Joanna), which seemed almost too good to be true. However, the mention on page 5 of the debate of AP Herbert MP’s “Marriage Bill” does date the action of the opening plot to 1937.

This book also introduced me to the curious concept of a spiritual director, like a religious agony uncle. Ten years later, it was a real shock to hear a real-life Anglican (mod.) friend of mine talking about how much she valued her discussions with her spiritual director. What had been fiction to me had become fact.

I am truly mystified as to why Susan Howatch’s Starbridge series and St Benet’s trilogy have not yet been adapted for television or film. These works seem to have all the elements needed to make a captivating and engaging visual adaptation. The complex characters, the intricate plots, and the rich spiritual and psychological themes would translate well to the screen. I can only hope that someone will recognize the potential of these novels and bring them to life for a wider audience to enjoy.

Such a bizarre and improbable plot! Although I think someone told me it is based on a real incident. And not to mention the totally unlikeable characters. But I was hooked anyway. In this series about the Church of England, Howatch flirts with the occult. She has her clergymen characters (and the women who tempt them!) try to deal with their stresses through non-traditional religious means. It's truly a fascinating exploration.

What an interesting departure from the two books I had read many years ago, Penmarric and Cashelmara. Both were outstanding in a very different way. Howatch has this unique ability that she cannot write a book that isn't compelling. Her stories always draw you in and keep you engaged from start to finish. Whether it's the complex characters, the intricate plots, or the thought-provoking themes, there is always something to captivate the reader. I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us in this series.

I truly wish I had trusted that the situation would improve. In the initial part, I became extremely bored, and I felt that the writing style was rather outdated. In fact, I even entertained the thought of giving up.

Nevertheless, it ultimately transformed into a highly interesting story, albeit perhaps a bit too unbelievable. As a result, I completed it. I still believe that it deserves a rating of 3 stars because the way the story is told is a bit pedestrian and lacks a sense of realism. Additionally, the second part, where the actual events occur, could have been more cohesive.

I also discovered that I didn't have a great deal of affection or concern for the characters.

Consequently, reading the other books in the series is not a top priority for me at this time.

This is the first installment in a captivating series of six books penned by the talented British author Susan Howatch. The Starbridge series introduces us to a cast of fictional characters who hold prominent positions within the Anglican Church.

Clergyman Charles Ashton is dispatched by his superior to the residence of his adversary, Bishop Jardine. Jardine resides there with his wife, Carrie, and her female companion, Lyle. Ashton's mission is to probe into Jardine's rather unusual living arrangements, which could potentially give rise to a scandal.

During his visit, Ashton discovers far more than he initially anticipated, and Howatch's skillful twists and turns keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Howatch is truly a master when it comes to developing intricate characters and engaging plots.

Among all the characters, the most fascinating one is Father Jonathan Darrow, Ashton's spiritual advisor. Darrow is an enigma, with his mysterious nature, intuitive insights, and an air of wisdom. I've learned that he is set to be the focal point of the next book in the series, and I can't wait to delve into it and uncover more of his story.

I'm eagerly looking forward to reading the subsequent installments of this enthralling series.

Just better with each reread.

This simple phrase holds a profound truth. When we reread a book, an article, or any piece of writing, we often discover new layers of meaning, subtleties that we missed the first time around.

The more we reread, the more familiar we become with the text, and this familiarity allows us to see things from different perspectives. We might notice a character's hidden motives, a theme that runs throughout the story, or a literary device that the author used to great effect.

Rereading also helps us to deepen our understanding and appreciation of the work. We can analyze the writing style, the structure, and the pacing, and learn from the author's techniques.

In conclusion, rereading is a valuable activity that can enhance our reading experience and improve our literary skills. So, the next time you pick up a favorite book or article, don't be afraid to read it again. You might be surprised at how much more you can discover.

The first thing I must emphasize about this book is that it has no connection to the Barbican development in central London. I felt the need to clarify this as for many years I wrongly assumed it did, and perhaps there are others out there under a similar misapprehension.

This is a spiritual Bildungsroman set in late 1930s southern England, spanning from Cambridge to Chichester. It centers around a not-so-young Church of England (C of E) clergyman who is tasked with a secret mission by the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Bishop of Chichester (referred to as Starbridge in the text, for reasons unknown). Think of "Under the Glacier" but without a tape recorder, buses, or spiral nebulae. The Bishop of Chichester's eyes glow amber when he hypnotizes people, which is not the cause of the secret mission but rather a normal kind of spiritual power that people may possess and potentially abuse in this story. The mission is the surface layer of the novel, but it引发了主角的精神危机, which is the essence of the story. This progression is a bit like "When Nietzsche Wept," with the major difference being that this book ends not in liberation but in more effective control. Set in late 1930s southern England, the stiff upper lip is considered a good thing, and control as the desired safe haven was the most interesting aspect of the story for me.

One might naively assume that a spiritual bildungsroman would be a very internal novel, but that's not the case here. Despite the first-person narration and the narrative's focus on the "glittering images" that people construct and project compared to the realities behind them, this is a remarkably superficial story as everything is on the surface. The main character eventually confesses to having been in a terrible spiritual crisis, but I hadn't noticed it. It was only after sleeping that I realized this crisis was not expressed through thoughts or feelings but rather through the consumption of alcohol. Sadly, one cannot simply draw a graph showing Spiritual state = number of units of alcohol consumed because different kinds of alcohol have distinct spiritual qualities. For example, a glass of dry sherry, then a glass of claret with dinner (two if the claret is very good), followed by port is acceptable for a C of E clergyman, indicating perfect spiritual health. Furthermore, brandy is fortifying and may even be administered by an Abbott while giving spiritual counseling in extreme circumstances. However, a double whisky without soda is bad news, spiritually speaking.

The story progresses like in "The Big Sleep" with the main character meeting people in limited spaces and having conversations with them. This is a bit like a clunky role-playing game but is effective and compelling even without the guns that Chandler requires in his book. These interactions are quite limited until the middle of the book. Once we enter the spiritual crisis, Howatch has these massive info-dumps as characters pour out their life stories. The reader appreciates her desire to provide perspective and understanding and can see how it mirrors the main character's improving spiritual health and ability to step back rather than engage in a whisky-fueled shouting match, but it felt a bit uneven to read.

Other key texts relevant here are "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" (for a reason that I can't disclose as it would be a spoiler for both books) and possibly "Ivanhoe" (the mystery knight rescuing the wronged maiden, at least as an archetype). Both are referenced in the story, with the Christie story being mentioned repeatedly.

Pleasingly, this is a circular book. After going through his spiritual crisis, the clergyman returns to where he was before but views things (hopefully) from a more helpful perspective. And while about to replicate the circumstances of his parents' marriage, perhaps he can do so with a bit more self-knowledge.

This novel might be most enjoyable for those who believe in the C of E (belief in God optional, or so I've heard), have an anxious Christian (C of E) sexuality, think that smoking cigarettes while in clerical dress is an issue but smoking while wearing ordinary clothes is fine.

The most amusing moment was a creaking corset. I'm still trying to envision its construction from aged wooden laths loosely pinned together and cunningly hinged. To be fair, this is from the perspective of the main character, and it might be a bit harsh to call him misogynistic. He is certainly very aware of and often critical of the appearance of women.

I really wish this story could be translated into Ukrainian. The history of the English Church through the prism of a story about how, by researching someone else's mystery, the hero finds the answer to his own. And how Christianity can play the role of psychotherapy.

For example, consider the life of a person who is facing many difficulties and inner turmoil. Through exploring the teachings and history of the English Church, this person discovers that there are others who have faced similar challenges and found solace and meaning in their faith. The stories of the saints and martyrs, as well as the teachings of the Church, offer guidance and inspiration.

Christianity provides a framework for understanding and dealing with life's problems. It offers a sense of purpose and hope, and encourages believers to love and serve others. Through prayer, meditation, and participation in the sacraments, individuals can find inner peace and strength.

In conclusion, the history of the English Church and the teachings of Christianity can have a profound impact on a person's life, offering a form of psychotherapy that helps them to heal and grow.

Oddly enough, I ended up liking this book. However, it took approximately 100 pages for me to get hooked. At first, it really just seemed like a parlor drama. But as the story progresses, we discover that there is a deeper tale within. Howatch's ability to write dialogue is truly superb. This is of utmost importance as the book is almost entirely composed of conversations between the characters. Initially, it was a bit hard to read, but she really draws you in with her remarkable word smithing. I particularly liked the psychological reasoning and methodical deduction used to "solve" the "mysteries". The shattering of the main character's "glittering image" was also a fascinating aspect. It added depth and complexity to the story, making it a truly engaging read.