If you have a penchant for one Starbridge book, chances are you'll be enamored with the entire collection. However, if you find the first one difficult to get through, perhaps it's best to simply abandon it. For me, I adored them. Before delving into these books, I was completely unaware that there were high churchy Anglicans and low churchy ones. Nor did I realize that English churchmen, for the most part, are extremely sexually repressed and neurotic. If individuals similar to the characters in these books truly exist, I have yet to encounter them, but I fervently hope they do. The unyielding stiff upper lip, the guilt, and the inability to express their faith or emotions in any way other than intellectually.

The stories are engaging, and I couldn't help but devour the entire series compulsively. But the question remains: who are these people?

There is a great deal of drama unfolding amongst the Anglican priests and monks.

Not only is there drama, but there is also an abundance of sex and whiskey involved.

Moreover, references to Freud are thrown in, which adds an interesting layer to the story.

Despite all this, I felt compelled to finish this particular piece.

However, I have decided that I will not be continuing the series.

Perhaps there are other stories and ideas that I am more eager to explore.

While this one had its moments, it seems that my creative energies are now directed elsewhere.

Nevertheless, I am grateful for the experience of writing this and the insights it has provided.

Who knows what the future holds for my writing endeavors? Only time will tell.

From my point of view, it was the middle part of Glittering Images that truly made it special. At the beginning, when I started reading the book, I was actually going to put it down. The reason was that I didn't initially find it interesting enough to hold my attention. However, out of curiosity, I skipped to a section close to the end. And that single section was sufficient to send me right back to read the rest of the book. I am extremely glad that I did so. In particular, the gradual demolition of the image that Charles had carefully constructed for himself and the world is simply fascinating. It's like watching a complex puzzle being taken apart piece by piece. Jon Darrow, on the other hand, is an impressively portrayed figure. It was a pure delight to observe him in action, his every move and decision adding depth and excitement to the story.

I just re-read this again. To be honest, I hadn't remembered much of it before. But as I delved into it once more, I found that it was truly a great read, again. The story was so engaging and captivating that I could hardly put it down. Every page seemed to draw me in further, making me eager to know what would happen next. The characters were well-developed and the plot was full of twists and turns. It was like embarking on a new adventure with each passing paragraph. I'm so glad I decided to re-read this. It has reminded me of the power of a good book to transport us to another world and keep us hooked from start to finish.

A Church of England priest is on a journey of self-discovery as he attempts to figure out his past in order to heal his present. This concept offers very good characterizations.

The priest, with his collar and solemn demeanor, is a figure of authority and spiritual guidance. But beneath the surface, he harbors secrets and unresolved issues from his past that are affecting his present life and ministry.

As he delves into his past, we see his determination and courage. He is not afraid to face the truth, no matter how painful it may be. This shows his strength of character and his commitment to personal growth and healing.

The story could explore his relationships with family, friends, and parishioners, and how his past experiences have influenced these connections. We might also see how his journey of self-discovery impacts his faith and his role as a priest.

Overall, the idea of a Church of England priest uncovering his past to heal his present provides a rich and engaging narrative with well-developed characterizations.

This is the first of Howatch's works that I have read, and I truly enjoyed it.

I would have preferred more detailed physical descriptions, such as those of the cathedral and the characters. However, there was perhaps a bit too much emphasis on psychology. (Read it to understand what I mean here.) Nevertheless, it is evident that the author brings a wealth of knowledge to the story. I look forward to reading more from this series.

PROS: The prose is highly readable, the characters are believable, the pacing is good, the tension escalates effectively, and the author has an original voice.

CONS: There is a significant amount of theology and psychology in the book. (Both of which are accurate, as I have an undergraduate degree in psychology and a master's from a fine seminary, and accuracy in these areas is important to me.) This might potentially turn off those who are less inclined to think about God and His ways, as well as humankind and its flaws. I also think that a more rigorous edit could have been beneficial to trim some of the more cerebral passages involving the protagonist's "mystery behind the mystery."

Recommended for those who appreciate high-quality fiction with a rather cerebral slant and who prefer their clergy to be portrayed as very human.

Oh how we lie to ourselves.

We often convince ourselves of things that aren't true, believing in false narratives to make ourselves feel better or to avoid facing the harsh reality.

Sometimes, we lie about our abilities, pretending to be more capable than we actually are. We might tell ourselves that we can handle a difficult task with ease, when in fact, we're nervous and unsure.

Other times, we lie about our emotions. We might suppress our true feelings, telling ourselves that we're okay when we're really hurting inside.

But the truth is, lying to ourselves only leads to more problems in the long run. It prevents us from growing and learning, and it can damage our relationships with others.

So, the next time you catch yourself lying to yourself, stop and take a moment to reflect. Be honest with yourself about your abilities, your emotions, and your situation. Only then can you begin to make positive changes and move forward in life.

DNFing 34% in.

I understand that perhaps all of this is building up to the main character's significant spiritual awakening. However, I have completely lost all respect for him. At this point, it just doesn't seem like the right time to continue reading.

It's truly a pity because I had thought that, at the very least, I would be able to write a good 1-star rant review about this.

Maybe if the author had developed the character in a more engaging way or if the story had taken a more interesting turn earlier on, I might have been more inclined to stick with it. But as it stands now, I'm just not invested enough to keep going.

It's always disappointing when a book starts off with such promise but fails to deliver. I guess we'll just have to wait and see if the author can redeem themselves in future works.

Howatch penned this extensive series of novels centered around the clergy within the Church of England.

These novels are rich in theology and psychology, which is precisely why I adored them. However, one must have an inclination towards such subject matters to fully appreciate them.

If you do possess that liking, then by all means, immerse yourself in them. They are truly wonderful.

Some of the novels in this series also have a somewhat kinky side to them, especially the final three that she wrote several years after the initial six.

Nonetheless, I found every single one of them to be really interesting and engaging, offering a unique and captivating exploration of the lives and minds of the clergy within the Church of England.

I read this series of books several years ago and truly adored them. They center around fictional clergy members within the Anglican Church. At first glance, it might not seem all that captivating, but once I started reading, I simply couldn't put them down! What I really loved was how incredibly real the characters were. Despite having their blatant sins and failings, their faith remained unwavering and strong. However, be warned! These books do contain elements of sex and scandal, so they're not for the faint of heart. But if you're not overly bothered by such content, I would still highly recommend them. You might be surprised by how engaging and thought-provoking they can be.

One of the most intriguing and well-written books I have ever had the pleasure of reading!

It is a unique mash-up of mystery, theology, and spiritual direction, all seamlessly rolled into one captivating narrative.

From the very first few pages, I was completely hooked, unable to put the book down.

However, just when I thought I had a handle on the story, there is an extreme and unforeseen twist right in the middle that completely took me by surprise.

As the story unfolds, I found myself highlighting numerous comments made by various characters, as they make stunning points in their engaging conversations.

This is truly a totally unexpected work that is both excellent and mystifying, leaving me with a sense of wonder and a desire to explore its depths further.

It has definitely left a lasting impression on me and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and engaging read.

This book presents a fictional blend of pop-psychology and Christian discipline.

In fact, I believe I've come across a non-fictional counterpart on the bookshelves of Christian stores.

The narrative centers around a man who finds himself on the couch of a priest/psychoanalyst and then manages to rise again.

He discovers that his true self has been concealed and grapples with the hardships of life and love, both in the past and the future.

Despite my somewhat sarcastic description, this book is truly outstanding.

The setting is remarkable, the character development is excellent, and the exploration of the clerical life is fascinating.

The tension between Christian living and the self-deception of Christians is palpable, and the theme of hope in the face of suffering is deeply moving.

It's so good that I'm eager to read more of the series.

Warning: Although it might initially seem like a romance novel, complete with a licentious encounter, the book offers much more than that.

It delves into profound psychological and spiritual themes, making it a thought-provoking and engaging read.