The last book in the Saint Benet’s trilogy offers a unique reading experience.

Surprisingly, despite having large portions of awful dialog and ‘90s slang that seemed made up, it managed to be quite moving. This trilogy has a distinct tone compared to the Starbridge series as it takes the influence of evil in the world seriously.

Most of the characters from the second book carry over, with Carter/Carta Graham playing a significant role. However, the heartbreaker of the title, Gavin, is new. He is a male prostitute who caters to upper-class gay men in London. He earns a lot of money and enjoys the lifestyle when not working. But when one of his clients dies, his genuine grief starts to crack the shell he has built to protect himself from the sordidness of his life.

The frank portrayal of the world of pornography and sex work makes this book challenging at times. Yet, like all of Howatch’s novels I’ve read, it’s a compelling story of redemption. In the Q&A section of the edition I read, Howatch said, “I consider myself to be a writer who writes on Christian themes. That’s different than a Christian writer.” This really comes across. Her characters are very real, not perfect, and they struggle just like non-Christians. That’s why I enjoy her books even when I don’t believe in the theology they represent.

Well, that's me.

I have finished all 6 of The Starbridge Novels and all 3 of St Benet's.

I am completely bereft.

I have delved deep into Christianity, Gnosticism, the Church of England (CoE), mysticism, charism, spirituality, and the occult.

Seriously, I love Susan Howatch's work.

It is so fluent, articulate, reflective, and well-researched.

Every quote is devoured, dissected, and carried with me as I move forward.

I can hear Great Uncle Cuthbert chattering away to me on those sleepy nights.

Maybe, as a result of this reading journey, I have become a better person.

Thank you to the wonderful author for creating this amazing experience for me to learn from.

I will always cherish these novels and the profound insights they have provided.

They have truly enriched my understanding of various aspects of life and faith.

I look forward to exploring more of Susan Howatch's works in the future.

A bit raunchy in parts, yet this account remains as captivating as ever. It delves into the intricate world of holistic health and healing, offering a unique perspective that combines both Christian and psychological insights.

Holistic health emphasizes the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit. From a Christian standpoint, it recognizes the role of faith and divine intervention in the healing process. The psychological aspect, on the other hand, explores the power of the mind and emotions in influencing our well-being.

This fascinating tale takes us on a journey through the various dimensions of holistic health and healing. It showcases the challenges and triumphs that come with this approach, highlighting the importance of addressing all aspects of a person's being.

Despite its raunchy moments, the story serves as a reminder that true healing is a multifaceted process that requires a comprehensive understanding of the human experience. It invites us to explore the intersection of faith and psychology, and to consider how these two disciplines can work together to promote holistic health and well-being.

A friend introduced me to Susan Howatch’s Starbridge books.

These books revolve around Anglican clergymen and their very human lives as they strive to abide by their principles and serve God.

Her subsequent three books remain within the realm of the church but zero in on “outsiders”.

And no one seems more of an outsider to the church than Gavin, “the heartbreaker” in the final book of the series.

In 1990's London, Gavin is living as an up-market gay prostitute, deceiving his clients while simultaneously being deceived himself.

A fortuitous encounter with Carta, a new member of the church, brings challenges (and changes) for both of them.

The book alternates between Gavin and Carta’s perspectives, revealing the human toll of prostitution as well as the possibilities and costs of redemption.

Heads-up: Gavin’s lifestyle is rather dark, and some of the descriptions are quite explicit.

This makes for a complex and thought-provoking read that delves deep into the human condition and the power of faith and transformation.

Susan Howatch is one of my favorite authors, yet she remains relatively unknown. Her works have a tendency to be somewhat melodramatic. She has two distinct writing periods.

Her early period was as a literary fiction author based in NYC, penning historical fiction books, usually long family dramas. I have read some, but not all, of the books from this era.

The second writing period followed her divorce and her move back to England, where she eventually rediscovered faith. There are nine books in this period that are narratively linked and should ideally be read in sequence. Spanning about 65 years and involving numerous characters, they share a similar style and focus on living out or finding Christian faith.

Since this is the last in a loosely connected series of nine, I won't attempt to relate all the books. However, in the 7th book, the main character, Carter or Carta, becomes a supporting character for the Heartbreaker. As is common in this series, the emphasis on the ongoing nature of Christian growth and maturity means there is always more growth needed. So, part of Carta's growth now is to assist the main character, Gavin.

What I like about Howatch is that although she writes about Christianity, her books couldn't be published in the US evangelical world. Gavin is a high-end male prostitute. The sex isn't graphic, but it's present, and there's a fair amount of language. Howatch doesn't sugarcoat the reality of prostitution and pornography; it's inevitable to get a bit gritty in a fiction book about a prostitute.

This is the last of Howatch's books. At the end, there's an interview where she mentions working on another book, but that was 16 years ago, and I assume no more books are forthcoming. This series was highly influential in my life, making me think more clearly about Christianity as discipleship and spiritual formation over time. The early books introduced me to the concept of Spiritual Direction, and I eventually found a spiritual director and am starting my first class to become one this weekend.

The Heartbreaker is perhaps the most traditional 'Christian fiction' book in the series as it's a salvation story. Gavin is ultimately saved and finds healing, but his life won't be perfect. You can constantly see the weaknesses and sins of the other mature Christians around him. Christianity isn't about perfection or strength but about weakness, submission to God, and the ongoing process of becoming who you were created to be.

A friend highly recommended Susan Howatch's work, so I excitedly grabbed this one at a bookstore. However, it turned out that my friend hadn't actually read it. I'm going to assume that this particular book is not representative of Howatch's overall body of work and will give her another try in the future.

The bottom line is that this book was just too flippin' weird for my taste. One of the two main characters is a professional "leisure worker", which essentially means a "prostitute". He is a straight male whose job description consists of servicing gay men. Since his story takes up fully half of the book, you would think that you have to like the guy. But unfortunately, I just didn't.

I'm not sure if this was a case of a one-off strange concept or if it's a recurring theme in Howatch's writing. But based on this experience, I'm a bit hesitant to dive into another one of her books right away. I'll probably wait and do some more research to see if there are other works of hers that might be more to my liking.

This is part three in a trilogy set around a Christian healing centre.

Gavin, who convinces himself that he is content with his life as a high-class leisure worker (or prostitute), experiences a significant change when he crosses paths with City lawyer Carta.

It's a narrative about Christian redemption, yet for that very reason, I didn't completely connect with it.

*Spoilers*

The initial and second parts of the book do have several thrilling moments. Gavin comes to the realization that his circumstances are a snare that not only poses a physical threat due to the nature of his work but also in other aspects. He formulates plans to break free. The main plot, in my opinion, reaches its peak at the conclusion of part two when Gavin discovers the full extent of the peril he is in and makes a daring escape. There were numerous highly tense moments that were all neatly resolved by the end of this section.

Part three, however, is entirely focused on Gavin's emotional and spiritual redemption subsequent to his escape. Since I don't hold the same views as the author regarding human psychology or spirituality, this part felt rather uninteresting to me. Personally, I think the book could have been shortened by a third.

I have an intense love for these books. There are certain moments in my life when I simply pick them up and embark on a new reading journey.

This particular book happens to be the final installment in an entire series that commenced with the 'Starbridge' collection and concluded with the last three books set in London. In a sense, it has to be the last one. Otherwise, the author might have run the risk of overexploiting her theme. However, I still feel a sense of regret, as I truly never desired for this series to come to an end!

I firmly believe that this book is the most gritty and perhaps the darkest among all of her works (although I'm open to a healthy debate on this point). It is also the most intense when it comes to examining the characters' recovery process. I've come across some criticism suggesting that it is overly protracted, but I, on the other hand, found this elongation to be essential.

I will forever find the character of Carta Graham to be annoying. I just can't help it, and perhaps this is a testament to the author's remarkable ability to create vivid and complex characters. She handles their problems and obsessions with great sensitivity and tackles the most challenging human traits with remarkable ease and proficiency.

Will I read it again? Without a doubt, I will!

I've been an avid reader of Susan Howatch for decades.

I initially delved into her historical novels and then progressed to the Starbridge series. These novels are set against the backdrop of the pageantry, the splendor, and yet, paradoxically, the rather dubious "relevance" (if we're being honest) of the Anglican Catholic Church.

Strangely enough, I just utterly adore them. I couldn't begin to explain why. The truth is, she writes so incredibly badly, and yet, that's precisely what makes them so alluring.

There isn't a single person I know to whom I would recommend these books. So, they remain my secret vice, much like indulging in a pint of rum raisin ice cream while watching The Shahs of Sunset. It's a guilty pleasure that I keep to myself, enjoying the cheesy goodness and the unique charm that only Howatch's writing can offer.

Perhaps it's the escape from reality that these novels provide, or maybe it's the sheer audacity of her storytelling. Whatever the reason, I continue to be drawn to her works, and I suspect I always will be.

I have some parts/attributes of this book that I truly loved, and yet there were also some that I didn't quite fancy. However, overall, it is an interesting book.

The parts that I loved were filled with engaging stories and vivid descriptions that really captured my imagination. They made me feel as if I was right there in the middle of the action, experiencing everything along with the characters.

On the other hand, the parts that I didn't like as much seemed a bit dull or repetitive at times. But even with these flaws, the book still managed to hold my attention and keep me reading until the very end.

It had a unique charm and a certain something that made it stand out from other books I've read. I would definitely recommend it to others who are looking for an interesting read, even if they might not love every single part of it.

Extraordinary. Stunning. These are the words that come to mind when one witnesses the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

From the majestic mountains that reach towards the sky, to the vast oceans that stretch as far as the eye can see, nature has a way of captivating our hearts and minds.

The colors, the textures, the sounds - all combine to create a symphony of life that is truly breathtaking.

Whether it's a sunset over a sandy beach, a forest filled with wildflowers, or a snow-capped peak glistening in the sunlight, each moment spent in nature is a moment to be cherished.

We are reminded of the power and beauty of the world around us, and of our place within it.

So take a moment to step outside, look around, and be amazed by the extraordinary and stunning world that we call home.

This book is sitting on my bookshelf, and I have read it cover to cover. In fact, I have read the entire series. However, as time has passed, I have forgotten many of the details. But it is definitely a series that I would love to reread in the future.

The part that particularly interests me is the St Benet’s part. I remember that it was filled with excitement and adventure. The characters and their relationships were well-developed, and it really drew me in.

Rereading this series would not only allow me to relive those thrilling moments but also give me a chance to discover new things that I might have missed the first time around. I can’t wait to pick up the books again and immerse myself in this wonderful world.