Howatch is extremely consistent in her writing. I relished this book just as much as I have relished the others. And now, without a doubt, I'm going to embark on reading another one of her works. What I truly appreciate is the way she presents the same characters from multiple perspectives. As the narrator changes from one book to the next, it offers a fascinating and multi-faceted view of those characters. It's like uncovering different layers and dimensions of their personalities, which enriches the overall reading experience. This unique approach keeps me engaged and eager to explore more of her literary world.

Excellent!

This simple word holds a world of meaning. It represents the highest level of achievement, the pinnacle of excellence. When we describe something or someone as excellent, we are acknowledging their outstanding qualities, their remarkable skills, and their unwavering dedication.

Excellence can be found in every aspect of life. It can be seen in the work of a talented artist, the performance of a world-class athlete, or the innovation of a brilliant scientist. It is the result of hard work, perseverance, and a passion for doing things to the best of one's ability.

To strive for excellence is to set high standards for oneself and to continuously push oneself to reach them. It requires discipline, focus, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. When we pursue excellence, we not only improve ourselves but also inspire those around us to do the same.

In conclusion, excellence is a quality that we should all strive for. It is the key to success, happiness, and a fulfilling life. Let us all aim for excellence in everything we do and make a positive impact on the world around us.

Susan Howatch is a highly regarded author.

She has made a significant impact in the literary world with her captivating novels. Her works often explore complex themes such as love, power, and human nature.

Howatch's writing style is known for its depth and detail, drawing readers into the intricate lives of her characters.

Her novels are set in various time periods and locations, adding an element of historical and cultural richness.

With her ability to create vivid and believable characters, Howatch has gained a loyal following of readers who eagerly anticipate each new release.

Her works have been widely praised for their literary merit and have received numerous awards and accolades.

Overall, Susan Howatch is a talented and influential author whose novels continue to engage and inspire readers around the world.

I went back and forth on this a lot.

It is extremely long and progresses at a sluggish pace. The slowness makes it a bit confusing as I didn't always pay full attention.

The author's choice to name two significant characters Aysgarth and Ashworth really irritated me.

However, the core of the book focuses on moral choices, moral risks, and a great deal of stuff about philosophical moral nitpicking and even trends in belief.

I quite liked that. I enjoyed seeing slow dissections of spiritual discourse; it's not something I encounter often.

Regarding the heroine, she was just okay. She wasn't really someone I could strongly identify with.

And for me, the conclusion was a bit unconvincing.

I'm not sure if I would ever pick up the rest of the books in this series; probably not.

But I don't regret spending time reading this one.

It had its flaws, but there were also some aspects that held my interest and made it a somewhat worthwhile experience.

Overall, it was a mixed bag, but I'm glad I gave it a chance.

Maybe others will find more to love in it than I did.

Only time will tell if this series will gain more popularity or fade into obscurity.

For now, I'll just move on to the next book on my reading list.

Very scandalous, indeed! This fourth installment in the "Church of England" series presents a rather gripping story. It emphasizes the certain and devastating effects of sin, regardless of whether it is acknowledged as such. Additionally, it weaves in a debate involving liberal and conservative theologies, clearly demonstrating the inadequacies and impossibility of dealing with sin without true repentance. Justification by rationalization simply won't suffice. Overall, it is a rather tragic story.

Some of the memorable characters include Neville Aysgarth, also known as the deluded one. He claims that "Adultery is prima facie wrong. That we all know. But if, for example, a married man found himself in a truly loving relationship with a woman who was not his wife, there would be no adultery because he would love that woman enough to abstain from any behavior which was morally wrong."

Lyle Ashworth, on the other hand, remarks, "I know it's quite wrong for a bishop's wife to be so cynical, but at least I'm being entirely honest when I say that in my opinion a man in the grip of a grand passion can always work out a way to circumvent his moral beliefs. He'd still hold those particular beliefs, of course, but he'd decide his case wasn't covered by the rules. There's nothing like a grand passion for encouraging self-deception on an epic scale."

Venetia Flaxton also has her say. She states, "And as she talked on, telling him about her plans, it suddenly dawned on me not only that she was in love with him, but that the unsupervised stay in a beautiful house, the placing of herself against the ravishing backdrop of the Cathedral, the exact nature of the social event which would inevitably lure him from Oxford--all had been planned long before she left London. It seemed I had met yet another slave to a one-sided grand passion. No wonder we had discovered we were soul-mates."

Into the 1960s (precisely in 1963), Aysgarth has now become the Dean of Starbridge and firmly remains Low Church. The setting in the 1960s (as seen from 1988) provides the clue that the plot revolves around the New Morality, along with the inevitable elements of sex, grief, pain, and a desperate longing for a happy conclusion to it all. What I have written there might sound extremely trite, but the plot of this beautifully written novel is by no means so.

The then real-life Bishop of Woolwich (John Robinson) receives some healthy criticism (on page 198): “‘… I [the Bishop of Starbridge] think I’m making a valid comment on the origins of his compulsion to criticize the Church, pander to atheists, and attempt to redesign God to suit some mythical variety of homo sapiens that he is pleased to describe as “modern man”. I’m afraid his current antics only remind me of those younger people who rebel against their conventional middle-class families by becoming fanatical Marxists.’”

This criticism adds an interesting layer to the story, highlighting the different perspectives and tensions within the religious and social context of the time. It makes the reader question and reflect on the ideas and actions of the characters, and how they are influenced by the changing moral and social landscape. The novel thus manages to capture the essence of the 1960s in a thought-provoking and engaging way.

I had to read this book as I had been completely hooked on the three that came before it.

It was, however, the most difficult of them all to read. In fact, it was almost depressing. The story seemed to take a darker turn, and it was not as easy to get through as the previous ones.

And yet, despite the challenges and the somewhat gloomy atmosphere, I will probably read the next two books in the series.

This is a testament to the power of the writing. The author has managed to create a world and characters that are so compelling that I cannot help but want to know what happens next.

Even though this particular book was a bit of a struggle, I am still eager to continue on this literary journey and see where it takes me.

The power of good writing is truly remarkable, and it has the ability to keep us engaged and coming back for more, no matter how difficult the reading experience may be at times.

This wonderful experience was narrated by my all-time favorite narrator, Sian Thomas.

Overall, it was truly lovely. The first half of the book had me completely entralled, holding my attention firmly.

However, as the story progressed, I found the letters written between Venetia and Aysgarth to be a little too sappy for my taste. Their ability to justify and label bad behavior as acceptable started to turn me off.

Although I'm certain this was the author's intention, it continued for a bit too long in my opinion.

Nonetheless, I did find the theological debate over the book "Honest to God" by Bishop John Robinson to be quite fascinating.

Taking all these aspects into account, I would rate this book 3.5 stars, rounding up.

I recently went on a Susan Howatch binge and devoured this entire series.

It was an absolute delight to immerse myself in her fictional world. The stories were filled with engaging characters, complex relationships, and intricate plots that kept me hooked from start to finish.

Each book in the series built upon the others, creating a rich and detailed tapestry of lives and events. The writing was excellent, with Howatch's ability to bring her characters to life and make them feel real truly shining through.

Overall, this series was a fun, indulgent read that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was the perfect escape from reality and a great way to spend my free time. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an entertaining and engaging read.

The original article seems a bit lacking in excitement. It could use some expansion and additional details to make it more engaging.

Perhaps we could add some interesting facts or examples to bring the topic to life. For instance, if it's about a particular subject, we could include some relevant statistics or real-life stories.

Another option would be to introduce different perspectives or viewpoints. This would add depth and complexity to the article, making it more thought-provoking for the reader.

We could also work on the language and style. Using more vivid adjectives and verbs, as well as varying the sentence structure, would make the text more dynamic and interesting to read.

By making these changes, we can transform the original article into a more captivating and engaging piece of writing that will hold the reader's attention from start to finish.

My fourth novel in the Starbridge series by Susan Howatch is truly a captivating read.

As always, I find myself thoroughly enjoying the journey through the historical and cultural changes that Howatch so skillfully highlights.

She masterfully weaves a narration that delves into the themes of temptation, spiritual shortcoming, and disastrous choices made by certain clerical characters.

These choices ultimately make victims out of the very people they are supposed to protect.

The story unfolds with a rich tapestry of emotions and conflicts, drawing the reader in and keeping them engaged until the very end.

Howatch's writing style is both elegant and engaging, making it easy to lose oneself in the world she has created.

Overall, this novel is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and those interested in exploring the complex themes of morality and human nature.

One of the more depressing aspects in the series is the unrelenting sense of hopelessness that pervades many of the storylines.

The characters often find themselves trapped in situations from which there seems to be no escape.

Their dreams and aspirations are constantly being shattered, leaving them with a feeling of emptiness and despair.

The overall tone of the series is one of darkness and gloom, which can be quite overwhelming for the viewer.

Despite this, there are still moments of light and hope that shine through, but they are few and far between.

Overall, the series presents a rather bleak view of the world, but it also forces us to confront the harsh realities that many people face on a daily basis.