“SCANDALOUS RISKS”, the fourth novel in the Starbridge Series set in the English town of Starbridge, kicks off in 1988 with the return of Venetia Flaxton. She is a woman of aristocratic background who had left the town abruptly 25 years ago. Venetia then proceeds to share with the reader her experiences of that crucial and decisive year in her life, 1963. At the age of 26, uncertain about her future and increasingly restless living with her parents in their magnificent residence, Venetia, who had always been headstrong and often engaged in lively debates with her atheistic, Victorian father, a member of the House of Lords, left home after quitting a job he had arranged for her. That job, working at the Liberal Party headquarters, was one she detested with a passion!

Once in Starbridge, sharing temporary accommodation with Marina Markhampton, a popular “society lady” whose beauty few men could resist, Venetia set out to reinvent herself. She reconnected with an old childhood friend, Primrose Aysgarth, and Primrose's father, Dean Aysgarth, a high-ranking figure in the Church of England in his early 60s. Aysgarth, a kind and avuncular man with a penchant for good whisky and modern art, represented the rising liberal wing of the Church of England at that time, challenging the traditional strictures and practices firmly defended by the “old order” (represented by Bishop Charles Ashworth, a contemporary of Aysgarth who had previously appeared about 20 years earlier in the third novel of the Starbridge Series: Ultimate Prizes).

Starbridge,看似是一个以其宏伟的中世纪大教堂而闻名的古老城镇，实则充满了宗教、政治和性方面的阴谋。Venetia自己就陷入了其中一个阴谋，她深深地爱上了Aysgarth（她亲切地称他为“Dean先生”），而Aysgarth也欣然回应。因为Aysgarth与Dido的婚姻并不幸福，Dido是一个神经质但精明的女人。所以他们两人都不得不煞费苦心地保持他们的关系谨慎。因为如果在Starbridge有一点风声传出，他们两人都将面临彻底的毁灭。

Aysgarth和Venetia找到了离Starbridge中心相当远的地方每周见面，在那里他们分享着彼此炽热的激情。只要时间和机会允许，他们还会互相写情书，作为一个在电子邮件出现之前长大的人，我很喜欢读这些情书，因为它们是如此的雄辩和深情。

然而，Aysgarth和Venetia维持他们爱情的梦幻世界将面临他们都无法忽视的挑战。

任何喜欢有着生动人物形象和强烈、引人入胜故事情节的小说的读者，都会品味“SCANDALOUS RISKS”。所以，坐下来，喝杯果汁或饮料放松一下，你很快就会完全沉浸在这个丰富而戏剧性的故事中，故事中人物的生活在危机和争议中发生了转变。

The fourth book in Susan Howatch's Starbridge series is truly a remarkable piece of literature.

Unfortunately, it is the only one I have read so far. This story combines elements of romance, history, and religious exploration, making it a unique and engaging read.

The underlying themes of faith, love, lust, and the ever-changing nature of morality are expertly woven together against the backdrop of the Church of England in the early to mid-60s.

It is refreshing to come across a novel that discusses religion so openly and in a context that is relatable to modern readers. The characters in this book are complex and well-developed, adding depth and authenticity to the story.

This work of touching originality has left a lasting impression on me, and I am eager to read the rest of the series to discover more about the Starbridge world and its inhabitants.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking and engaging read that delves into the deeper aspects of human nature and belief.

Not quite Barchester.

This statement immediately piques my interest and makes me look at some of my Anglican friends with a rather more curious eye.

Barchester is often associated with the works of Anthony Trollope, which vividly描绘 the complex world of the Anglican Church.

Perhaps this not-quite-Barchester situation refers to something in my friends' lives or the Anglican community that doesn't quite match the idealized or fictionalized image I have in my mind.

It makes me wonder what the differences are and what might be going on beneath the surface.

Do they face similar challenges and conflicts as the characters in Trollope's novels?

Or is there something unique and unexpected about their experiences?

Looking at them with a more curious eye, I hope to gain a better understanding of their beliefs, values, and the role that the Anglican Church plays in their lives.

Maybe I will discover something new and interesting that will expand my own perspective.

Who knows what awaits me as I embark on this exploration of my Anglican friends and their not-quite-Barchester world?

After reading the first three books in the Starbridge series and having a great liking for them, I had high expectations that book number four of the series would also be worthy of my time. However, to my disappointment, I did not like it at all.

It was an extremely tedious read. The protagonist, Venetia, was a character that I simply could not warm up to. She was overly wealthy and placed herself in the lofty realm of the aristocracy, looking down upon those who served her.

By page 186, I had completely lost interest in what might happen to her and/or to the Dean of Starbridge. It will be a long time before I even consider picking up book number five in the series. I'm not sure if I'll ever regain the enthusiasm I once had for this series after this letdown with the fourth book.

I hope that if there are future installments, the author will make significant improvements to bring back the magic that was present in the earlier books.

At first, I held the opinion that this was neither here nor there. It seemed rather ordinary and unremarkable. However, as I delved deeper into it, I realized that there was actually more substance to this book than just an illicit affair.

To my surprise, I found the theological debate within the pages to be truly intriguing. It presented different perspectives and ideas that made me think and question.

Now, I am about to embark on reading book 1, eager to explore further and discover what else lies within its covers. I anticipate that there will be more thought-provoking discussions and perhaps even some revelations that will enhance my understanding of the subject matter.

I am excited to see where this literary journey will take me and how it will expand my knowledge and perspective.

The titles of the books give the impression that they are something just slightly better than tabloids.

But when you consider that the characters are all clergy and their families, friends, and associates, the extreme nature of the adjectives used provides a better context.

The books are about learning to live as God would have us in the world He created, as these particular churchmen see that world and their place in it.

The'scandalous' risks may seem mild by contemporary standards. However, the fact that they aren't to the characters is the redeeming feature of Howatch's writing. Actions are judged in the light of the Gospel. In this particular book, the Dean's view of the central message of Love conflicts with that of his old adversary, now Bishop Charles Ashworth.

It's 1963 and a popular theology book called Honest to God has just been published, causing a stir in the Church of England. Did St. Augustine really mean it when he wrote that we can love God and do what we will?

It's easy to misinterpret Saint Augustine's remark as: \\"Love God and do what you will.\\"

It's more in line with Augustine's original meaning to emphasize the first two words: \\"Love God and do what you will.\\"

Howatch gets it right in this story! It's superb!

All of Susan Howatch's books, in the end, are potboilers that feature Christians and academics losing themselves and then seeking redemption.

This particular one and "The Heartbreaker" are perhaps the most tragic among them. The concept of sin has been redefined for the times, often shifting away from personal morality and accountability to a higher power. However, Howatch clearly doesn't buy into this.

What makes her seem very contemporary is her portrayal of a gifted and academic woman who is condemned to a life as an upper-class twit, surrounded by intellectual men. When she is seduced by someone who really should know better, she is drawn into the most intense experience of her life.

Venetia Flaxton is one of the most complete and well-developed of Howatch's characters, and perhaps the reason why the St. Benets series focused more on women. Her story, in some ways, is the most moralistic one told by Howatch (and that's saying a lot), and I suspect it most reflects her潜在的恐惧: "that could have been me." It's a wonderful piece of work.

Venetia Flaxton finds herself falling for the most unattainable man in her sphere. Her life becomes intertwined with that of the Dean of Starbridge Cathedral, as we enter the fourth book of Susan Howatch's six-novel series on the Church of England.

I continue to be a devotee of a book where the Spiritual Director is the hero of the tale. Even as Bishop Robinson's small book "Honest to God" ignites a theological debate in 1963 England, the concept of sexless adultery comes to represent the issues associated with the radically liberal approach to faith.

This story not only explores the complex emotions and relationships within the church but also delves into the deeper questions of faith and belief. Howatch masterfully weaves together the personal and the theological, creating a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

As we follow Venetia's journey, we witness her struggle with her feelings for the Dean and her own spiritual growth. The backdrop of the Church of England in the 1960s adds a rich historical and cultural context to the story, making it a truly immersive reading experience.

Aysgarth’s swan song

The story of Aysgarth presents a powerful and touching look at the reality that unfortunately, some clergy can be scandalous risk takers, and not in a positive or admirable way. It's a situation that leaves many people, like poor Neville, still confused and trying to make sense of it all.

This revelation about the clergy's actions is not only shocking but also has a profound impact on the community and those who look up to them for guidance and moral leadership. The actions of these scandalous individuals shatter the trust that has been placed in them and cause great disappointment.

As we reflect on Aysgarth's swan song, we are reminded of the importance of holding those in positions of power and influence accountable for their actions. We must also continue to strive for transparency and integrity within religious institutions to ensure that the trust of the people is not betrayed.

Poor Neville's confusion serves as a reminder that the consequences of these scandalous acts can have far-reaching effects and leave many people grappling with the question of how such things could happen within the clergy.

I just finished sobbing my way through the end of this great book.

It's truly an amazing series, and each book has its own charm. However, Venetia's story really breaks my heart.

She has to deal with a plethora of issues that are unfortunately all too common for many modern women.

From relationship problems to self-doubt and everything in between, Venetia's journey is both relatable and emotional.

The author does an excellent job of portraying her struggles and making the reader really root for her.

Despite all the hardships she faces, Venetia shows great strength and resilience.

Her character development throughout the series is truly remarkable.

I can't wait to see what else the author has in store for us in this wonderful series.

I usually have a great affection for anything belonging to the Starbridge series, which combines the charm of Jane Austen with the style of George MacDonald.

However, when it comes to "Scandalous Risks", it gives the impression of being a little too formulaic and rather dry.

If you have read the other works in the series, then you can easily anticipate how this one will unfold.

Conversely, if you haven't, it's worth noting that this is the only installment in the series that is told from a non-clergy and female perspective.

This unique perspective might offer some fresh insights, but unfortunately, the overall execution doesn't quite live up to the expectations set by the previous books in the series.

Perhaps with a bit more creativity and less adherence to the formula, "Scandalous Risks" could have been a more engaging and enjoyable read.

I have an intense love for the psychological depth that Susan Howatch manages to infuse into her characters.

After having delved into the inner lives of the other main characters in her previous books, it is truly fascinating to encounter the realistic phenomenon in the current work. Here, the narrator speculates about the private lives of these characters, and often gets it wrong.

Isn't this something that we all do in our daily lives? We look at a person's outer persona, the face they present to the world, and we assume that we can somehow figure out their inner thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

It's a common human trait, this tendency to make judgments and assumptions about others based on limited information.

P.S. Sadly, the Goodreads app crashed yet again while I was in the process of writing this review :( It's quite frustrating, but I'll do my best to remember all my thoughts and complete this review at a later time.