Trollope this is not.

It exchanges the melodrama and titillation that might draw some readers for Trollope's deeper insights into manners, motivations, and morals.

For a novel that is purportedly about the brilliant spiritual direction within the clerical fold, the moments that are rendered as the most stirring, clarifying, and converting sound indistinguishable from those of an alienist, an analyst, or a confessional-as-couch.

I understand that this isn't intended as a work of theology, but when the author is comfortable name-dropping Nicaea and Barth and playing around with genuine theological controversy, and when the purpose of the book is to depict the deep movements of the soul in characters who are riven by sin, habits of vice, false presentations of the self, and distance from God, I think it's fair to expect a bit more.

Otherwise, you're simply writing a novel of psychology and giving it a thin religious veneer. It seems to affirm that Christianity, that Christ, has nothing to offer.

"Forgiveness" here appears to be entirely forgiveness of the self - there's no genuine confrontation with one's own sin, no genuine bearing of consequences (although, to be fair, Ashworth's conversion and spiritual exercises do blossom in kindness and forbearance with his parents). But on balance, forgiveness here is realizing that one is hurt or afraid, or someone else is hurt or afraid, and that, in fact, there's nothing to forgive, only to understand.

What is Christianity for these priests and those in their orbit? It seems to be an exercise in power, protection, oratory, and some amorphous "duty" which is never defined beyond one's own conscience. Notably absent is the work of Christ on behalf of sinners, the work of the Spirit in convicting and converting, the genuine proclamation of Scripture in moments of distress, and the sense that our forgiveness of others depends entirely upon Christ's forgiveness of us.

Still, there were undoubtedly moments of real insight in the book, and the public/private personae motif is one that we all share to some degree or another. God is very much interested in our real selves, even if I very much disagree that the "hidden, wounded self" is entirely the real one.

I reckon I enjoyed the book in the same way a lawyer enjoys a Grishham novel - as a light entertainment set in a familiar world, by turns exhausting and outrageous in its mischaracterizations and misunderstandings.

I first delved into a Susan Howatch novel several years ago and was immediately captivated by its allure. As a result, I went on to read a couple more of her works. This particular one, I picked up upon the recommendation of Jacqueline Winspear, who happens to be one of my current favorite authors. She was the Barnes & Noble mystery writer of the month and had a list of recommended books. A couple of the titles on her list I had already read, so I eagerly snatched up some others.

At the beginning, I wasn't overly enthralled. It appeared to be a psychological story with a significant amount of Jungian underpinnings. The writing was pleasant enough, but I thought it was a bit banal. However, as I continued reading, I gradually became engrossed. There were occasions when I found myself a little envious of the protagonist. I wished that my own encounter with that 'narrow gate' so frequently mentioned in the book and so difficult to navigate had been on a more spiritual plane. In the end, it proved to be a most fascinating exploration and uncovering of the 'glittering images' that we all adorn ourselves with in our eagerness to be accepted and achieve success in life. It shows that the connection with the real self beneath is truly rewarding. This book is well worth reading.

An enormous amount of dramatic action manages to occur in this novel, which is filled with background information and conversation. From the very beginning, I was captivated by Howatch's skill in laying the groundwork for future events and revelations. I couldn't wait to uncover the truth hidden behind all those glittering images. I was particularly impressed by her portrayal of the Darrow-Ashworth counseling sessions and her belief that the power of God is always stronger than that of the devil when one has faith and trust in the Lord. However, my one major criticism of the novel was how neatly Ashworth's story mirrored that of his father. Nevertheless, I liked how she truthfully depicted the challenges facing Charles and Lyle at the end of the book. There was no easy "riding off into the sunset without a care in the world" conclusion.

Freud encounters the Church of England and its all-too-human clergy, with a hint of The Exorcist (albeit a very civilized Anglican version).

There is a certain amount of theology, some church politics, a great deal of drinking, issues with fathers, and a plethora of difficulties regarding celibacy.

I discovered it to be captivating and well-written, despite its rather odd reliance on extremely long, unbroken testimonies from the various characters.

The "glittering images" could potentially refer not only to the false facades maintained by the troubled characters but also to the appearance of a holy, perfect Church, I suspect.

If you are not Anglican or not a believer, you might have a bit of a struggle with this one. However, if you are, it may hold a great deal of fascination for you.

Overall, it offers a unique and engaging exploration of the intersection between psychology, religion, and human nature within the context of the Church of England.

It delves into the complex lives and inner turmoil of the clergy, revealing the often-hidden struggles and contradictions that exist beneath the surface of religious institutions.

Whether you approach it from a religious or a secular perspective, it is sure to spark thought and discussion about the role of faith, the nature of sin, and the challenges of living a life of celibacy in a modern world.

My edition of this book is so old that it's not even pictured on any of those featured here on Goodreads.

I'm not entirely certain when I first obtained a copy of this book or when I first delved into its pages. This is the booklady's equivalent of junk reading.

I first came across dear Sue when I resided in the UK in the early 1980s. I instantly fell in love with her technique of narrating stories, first from one perspective and then seamlessly switching the camera angles to a different character.

It imparted to me a valuable lesson. While many might despise or like a person, there will always be select others who adore or disdain them. None of us are universally loved or hated. We all have our fans and we all have our foes, and usually, it has very little to do with what we do or who we are. It has everything to do with the perspective and mindset of the other person.

Glittering Images is the inaugural installment in the series of books centered around the legendary Starbridge (Salisbury) Cathedral and the Church of England. It chronicles a set of fictional characters from the 1930s all the way up to the present day, painting a vivid and engaging picture of their lives and the events that shape them.

I absolutely adored this book, along with every single one of the others in this remarkable series.

It was truly fascinating to observe how the characters gradually yielded to their personal interests and then witnessed their journey of mending their lives.

I can still vividly recall the overwhelming joy that surged through me when I stumbled upon the last book of the series, completely unaware of its existence until that very moment.

So, without hesitation, run, don't just walk, to the library, the bookstore, or your digital device and embark on this wonderful reading adventure.

These books are an absolute treasure trove of entertainment, emotion, and inspiration.

You won't regret it!

I first read this series over twenty years ago, and I was completely amazed by it. It was truly a fantastic read.

Now, after such a long time, I have forgotten most of the details and only remember the overall story arc. This made it possible for the story to unfold for me anew, without the feeling that I already knew everything that was going to happen.

This particular book wasn't my favorite in the series, but I wanted to reread them in order. And it is still very good, although I didn't have the same "wow" factor as the first time. I remember coming away from it with the powerful phrase "deception is deadly." This has stayed with me and often comes to mind when I'm tempted to pretend, like Charles does for much of the novel, that "everything is fine."

This time around, it didn't amaze me as much with how wonderful the book was, but that's understandable since it's not new to me anymore. However, it's still a remarkable book that treats Christianity as true, not just in an ideological sense but also in how it is lived out in the messy reality of life, without being overly preachy (in my opinion). It also combines fascinating characters and an engaging story. On to the next one in the series...

This is a story about a young Canon named Charles Ashworth. He ventures to the residence of the fictional Bishop of Starbridge with the intention of uncovering the mystery that is unfolding there.

The initial two hundred or so pages of the book prove to be quite interesting. The clergy, as depicted, represents a world that is rarely seen in novels. The mystery itself is captivating, and the concept of a Bishop having a wife adds an extra layer of intrigue.

However, as the novel progresses, it takes a turn. It transforms into a series of discussions centered around the spiritual health of Ashworth and the actions he must take to banish the demons of his past. He then obediently follows everything that his counsellor, who is described as a spiritual genius, advises. In the end, he achieves the grace of god.

Unfortunately, the plot becomes extremely tedious. The dialogue is often cringe-worthy, and everything seems to be merely talked about. There is a distinct lack of showing, which makes the story feel flat and unengaging.

I picked up this book after seeing several people online talk about how much they loved it. I have a great passion for historical series and books that explore faith and religion. So, this particular book seemed like a perfect match for my interests.

However, it has taken me a solid month to get through part 1, which is about halfway through the book, and I was literally forcing myself to reach that point.

The main character, who also serves as the narrator, was insufferable and arrogant right from the start. Interestingly, I did enjoy some of the characters at Starbridge where the narrator went to visit in the beginning. The bishop, in particular, seemed like an interesting character. I thought the story was finally picking up and they were going to start unraveling the "mystery," and my interest had indeed picked up, despite the extremely slow pace.

But after reading a few reviews and based on what I can gather from where I am in the novel, it seems that the rest of the book mainly focuses on the narrator having some sort of breakdown after getting drunk and having numerous conversations with his spiritual director to figure out what's wrong.

To be honest, I have very little desire to find out what happens in the end, and I have absolutely no interest in reading anything else in the series. I'm really disappointed because I was truly hoping to immerse myself in a captivating and sweeping historical novel series.

Glittering Images is an enthralling tale about Charles Ashworth, a clergyman within the Church of England. In 1928, he is dispatched to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Palace with the task of uncovering any hidden secrets. Oh boy, does he discover some!

Charles, a widower, encounters Lyle Christiy at the palace and is immediately smitten (is it love or just lust?). As he delves into the investigations of A. B. Jardine, he also uncovers truths about himself. He realizes that he is the illegitimate son of a rather rough doctor who impregnated his mother and then abandoned her, as he was already married. Charles eventually meets his real father.

This story is predominantly told from Charles’ perspective, but there are also glimpses of Lyle’s. I particularly adored Charles’ spiritual advisor, the married monk who served in the navy. His wisdom and guidance added an extra layer of depth to the narrative. Overall, Glittering Images is a captivating story that explores themes of love, identity, and secrets.

I think I came across this book when a podcaster asked a guest what books he'd been influenced by and the guest mentioned the novels of Susan Howatch. This was a crazy story.

Written in 1987, it's about an Anglican clergyman who is sent to scout a Bishop's situation to see if he poses an opportunity to be outed for scandal and do damage to the Church. The story unfolds with a web of complex relationships and hidden motives.

I can't tell you much more without spoiling the plot, but it was a compelling enough story that I wanted to keep reading. The novel reminded me of Charles Williams' works, with a large amount of psychological and emotional tension lurking beneath everyone's facades and tainting their spiritual lives. The characters are vividly drawn, and their inner turmoil is palpable.

My take away is that we never really have a clear perspective on ourselves OR on others. So many people in this story were hurting people who hurt others, yet they all lacked understanding of each other. Again, the communication challenges! It makes one realize how important it is to truly listen and try to understand those around us, as misunderstandings can lead to so much pain and conflict.

A Fascinating Historical Novel

Historical novels have always held a special charm for readers. They transport us to different eras, allowing us to experience the lives and cultures of people long past. One such captivating historical novel is [Title of the Novel].

This novel is set in [specific historical period], a time of great change and upheaval. The author has masterfully recreated the atmosphere and details of that era, making it come alive on the pages. Through the eyes of the protagonist, we witness the events and struggles that shaped the history of that time.

The story is filled with richly developed characters, each with their own unique personalities and motives. We become invested in their lives, rooting for them as they face various challenges and obstacles. The relationships between the characters add depth and complexity to the narrative, making it a truly engaging read.

In addition to the compelling story and characters, the novel also provides valuable insights into the historical context. It educates us about the social, political, and economic conditions of the time, helping us to better understand the forces that influenced the course of history.

Overall, [Title of the Novel] is a remarkable work of historical fiction that combines entertainment with education. It is a must-read for anyone interested in history or simply looking for a great story. So, pick up a copy and prepare to be transported to a bygone era.