Although Howatch's characters often exhibit a penchant for excessive sexuality and alcoholism, which makes me somewhat uncomfortable when it comes to men of the cloth, I still have an immense appreciation for her writing.

She portrays brilliant individuals who are engaged in grappling with complex theological issues in ways that are all too human. The bright dialogue, sharp wit, and extensive vocabulary with which the characters interact with one another are truly captivating.

This particular book revolves around the work "Honest to God" by John A.T. Robinson, which was published in 1963. It is a highly controversial book, and everyone seems to have a strong opinion about its claims. What Howatch does exceptionally well is to bring to life the characters who, at different ages, stages of life, and genders, respond to the book in ways that, in some instances, lead to detrimental consequences.

Her ability to explore the various facets of human nature and the impact of ideas on individuals is truly remarkable. It makes for a thought-provoking and engaging read that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

Wonderful, tragic.

It is truly amazing how we often deceive ourselves into believing that what we want is necessarily good or beneficial for us.

We are so prone to this self-delusion that we fail to see the potential consequences or drawbacks of our desires.

We convince ourselves that the things we long for will bring us happiness, success, or fulfillment, when in reality, they may lead to disappointment, heartache, or even disaster.

This tendency to fool ourselves can have a profound impact on our lives, causing us to make poor decisions, pursue the wrong goals, and ultimately, end up in a place we never intended to be.

It is important to be aware of this human trait and to question our desires and assumptions.

We need to take a step back and evaluate whether what we want is truly in our best interests or if it is just a fleeting impulse that will only bring short-term satisfaction.

By doing so, we can avoid falling into the trap of self-deception and make more informed and rational choices that will lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

This is the fourth installment in the Starbridge series, and it is told from the perspective of Venetia Flaxton, a young woman who is intelligent and wealthy but lacks direction in life. The story revolves around her strange relationship in 1963 with 61-year-old Neville Aysgarth, the dean of Starbridge Cathedral.

Neville's actions in this book had me extremely frustrated. It seems that all the efforts Jon made in the previous book to guide him back onto the right spiritual path have been in vain, as he becomes completely obsessed with Venetia. Marrying Dido was a terrible decision for him, both personally and for his children. Since he doesn't love her but feels guilty for marrying her, he spoils her while suppressing his own needs and desires. This internal conflict not only leads to disaster for himself and his family but also has disastrous consequences for Venetia.

To make matters worse, Neville engages in high-risk behaviors while managing the cathedral. The book dwells on his alcoholism, but in my opinion, his addiction to adrenaline and living on the edge of disaster is an even bigger problem.

In the midst of all this drama, we see the return of Charles and Lyle Ashworth, the main characters from Glittering Images. Charles is now the Bishop of Starbridge and represents the conservative wing of the Church of England, which puts him at odds with Neville over the management of the cathedral.

Meanwhile, the children of the older characters are having their own adventures in the 1960s, causing more gray hairs for their parents and courting disasters of their own.

Oh, what an indescribable pleasure it is to read this once more.

There is so much profound truth within these words, and it feels so incredibly real.

As I peruse these lines, it once again stirs within me a deep sense of wonder and love for the way God pursues us.

His unwavering love and determination to reach out to us, no matter how far we may have strayed, is truly a source of inspiration.

It makes me realize that we are never alone, and that God is always there, waiting for us with open arms.

This simple yet powerful message has the ability to touch our hearts and transform our lives.

It reminds us that we are loved beyond measure and that we have a purpose in this world.

Let us always remember and cherish the way God pursues us, and let it fill us with hope and joy.

Venetia, a society girl who is deeply unhappy, embarks on an exploration of Christianity for the very first time. She does so with the assistance of a priest and a family friend, Stephen Aysgarth, who happens to be the narrator of book #3.

As Aysgarth and Venetia draw closer to each other, they seem to be headed towards a disastrous affair. Their choices, however, have the power to change their lives forever.

This is truly a tragic story, perhaps the most tragic one in the series. It also prominently features Charles Ashworth, Jonathan Darrow, and other characters who appeared earlier in the series.

The complex web of relationships and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters add depth and poignancy to the narrative.

Readers will be drawn into the world of Venetia and her companions, experiencing their joys and sorrows along with them.

The story serves as a reminder of the consequences that our choices can have and the importance of making decisions that are in line with our values and beliefs.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of the series and anyone who enjoys a well-written, emotionally engaging story.

This is by far the best installment in this series.

As always, I simply couldn't let the book sit around for very long without getting cozy and diving right into it.

The story in this book is engaging from the very beginning, pulling you in and making you eager to see what will happen next.

The characters are well-developed and continue to grow and evolve as the series progresses.

I'm now on to the fourth book in the series, and I can't wait to see what new adventures and challenges await the characters.

This series has truly become one of my favorites, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good read.

I truly enjoyed this series to a great extent.

It had a unique charm that kept me hooked from the very beginning. The storylines were engaging and full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The characters were well-developed and relatable, making it easy for me to invest in their journeys.

Each episode left me eager for more, and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

The production values were also top-notch, with beautiful cinematography and great music that added to the overall atmosphere of the series.

Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and I would highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a great show to watch.

Ugh!

Awful!!

These two words sum up my feelings perfectly. It was a truly terrible experience.

I don't even know where to begin.

Maybe it was the weather that was so gloomy and rainy.

Or perhaps it was the fact that I had a really bad day at work.

Everything seemed to go wrong.

I made several mistakes and felt so frustrated.

To top it off, I got stuck in traffic on my way home.

By the time I finally arrived, I was exhausted and in a really bad mood.

I just wanted to crawl into bed and forget about the whole day.

But unfortunately, that wasn't possible.

There were still things I had to do.

It was just one of those days that I wish I could have skipped.

Ugh! Awful!!

In my opinion, her novels regarding the Church of England are truly breathtaking.

This particular one had me experiencing an emotional roller coaster, much like the protagonist.

The ending left me unsettled. It was not at all what I had expected.

It's as if the author had skillfully crafted a story that led me down one path, only to take an unexpected turn at the very end.

The way the events unfolded and the emotions they elicited were both captivating and disconcerting.

I found myself completely immersed in the story, sharing the protagonist's joys, sorrows, and uncertainties.

The novel's exploration of the Church of England added an extra layer of depth and complexity to the narrative.

Overall, it was a thought-provoking and engaging read that will stay with me for a long time.

This is my least favorite installment in the series.

For the most part, it is rather tedious. The plot seems to drag on at times, making it a bit of a chore to get through. However, it's not all bad.

Occasionally, there are glimmers of value. Maybe there's a particularly interesting character development or a unique scene that stands out.

But these moments are few and far between, and they don't quite make up for the overall dullness of the story.

It's a shame, really, because the series had so much potential. But this particular entry just doesn't live up to expectations.

I hope that future installments will be more engaging and exciting, and will recapture the magic that made the earlier books in the series so enjoyable.

This has always been my least favorite of the books in this series.

The main reason is the (mostly) unhappy ending, which left me feeling rather disappointed.

Moreover, I just despise Aysgarth, the Dean who takes such scandalous risks. His actions and decisions are truly unlikable.

However, when I read it this time, I found that I enjoyed it more than the last time I read it, which was when I was still in my twenties.

Perhaps it is because as I have grown older, my perspective has changed.

Maybe I can now better understand the complex emotions and situations of the characters.

Or perhaps I identified with Venetia, the young woman who falls in love with Aysgarth, more at that time.

Now, I see her story from a different angle and can appreciate the depth of her feelings and the challenges she faces.

Overall, although this book still has its flaws, my re-reading experience has been more positive than before.

I remembered not having liked this book as well as others in the series when I read it before.

For a large part of the book, I wondered why that had been, as it seemed very engrossing.

I don't want to think it is because this is the only one narrated by a woman.

It may be because, unlike the others (at least the first three which I have just reread), it does not have a significant portion devoted to the person in trouble finding the way back to God.

There is just the barest hint at the end, but no more.

What I like in the other books is not just the discussion of theology and how it relates to our lives, but how it not only shows the Christian perspective on how we mess up our lives but also the process of redemption.

It's not just the initial repentance but the slow and difficult changes in attitudes and habits.

This aspect is what makes those other books so meaningful and engaging for me.

Maybe I need to give this book a second chance and look at it from a different perspective to fully appreciate its value.

After all, each book in the series may have its own unique charm and message that I might have overlooked the first time around.