Glamorous Powers by susan howatch

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Wow. I do truly appreciate this series. It offers an abundance of food for thought.

The exploration of the actions and motivations of both religious and secular individuals is extremely interesting.

I must admit that I did become rather annoyed at the frequent usage of the word "psyche", especially when it was being "stroked". Ugh! And there were also a number of references to Freud.

Jon Darrow was an engaging and personable character who possessed Glamorous Powers. He was admired by all those who knew him. However, as the book advances, we witness how he deceives others and even himself regarding his own motivation. He is attempting to appear as if he is the part without actually being it. (Glittering Images, anyone?) But ultimately, the lies come back to haunt him and cause chaos.

I simply can't wait to read the next installment in this series.

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Mizukiss

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

A top-notch page-turner awaits you. In this story, we have the superhero from the first book, who is initially presented in all his glory and might. However, as the plot unfolds, things take a drastic turn. The author decides to completely take him apart. We see the superhero facing challenges and difficulties that he has never encountered before. His strengths are put to the test, and his weaknesses are exposed. It's a thrilling and engaging narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat. You'll be curious to see how the superhero will overcome these obstacles and whether he will be able to put himself back together again. This book is a must-read for fans of superhero stories who are looking for something different and exciting.

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Bop_It

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I re-read this book sometime in the early 90s. Jonathan Darrow is my favorite character from the series. His story of going through a tragic demise and then achieving a remarkable healing is truly spectacular. It really grabs my attention and makes me invested in his journey.

However, I have to admit that I find myself getting bored with Howatch's way of muddling through the Church discussions. Whether it's about the differences between Anglo-Catholic, low church, or whatever else, it just seems to drag on and on. This aspect of the book doesn't hold my interest as much as the character of Jonathan Darrow.

Despite this, I still think the book is worth the re-read. The overall story and the development of the characters, especially Jonathan Darrow, make it a worthwhile experience. That's why I have downgraded it to four stars. It's not a perfect book, but it has enough redeeming qualities to make it a good read.

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IAintAllBad

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Glittering Images had a truly excellent sequel. It focused on a character from the previous book who initially appeared so wise. However, as the story unfolds, it reveals his own personal struggles and weaknesses.

Somewhere in the middle of the book, the pace slows down a bit. You can sense that a crisis is on the horizon and you just wish it would come quickly so that Darrow would stop being so foolish.

Nonetheless, on the whole, this book is a great exploration of an aspect of Christian belief that is not well-known to many people. It also serves as an illustration of the ways in which we can hurt both others and ourselves when we withhold honesty, even when we think it's better to avoid conflict.

It makes the reader reflect on the importance of being truthful and facing difficult situations head-on rather than trying to avoid them. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and engaging read that offers valuable insights into human nature and the complexities of faith.

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lolqwerty

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This book was indeed good, yet it presented a significant challenge when it came to reading. There was an overwhelming amount of information packed within its pages, and it was extremely wordy. One could hardly imagine a book being so verbose!

There were certain sections that seemed to drag on, making the reading pace a bit slow. However, the characters within the story were captivating enough to keep me engaged and eager to find out what would happen next.

I must admit that I did not have a favorable opinion of two of the characters. Regrettably, their interaction with each other added an element of interest to the narrative.

So, the question remains: Is this book worth reading? The answer is ultimately up to you. It depends on your personal preferences and your tolerance for a wordy text with some slow moments. But if you're willing to invest the time and effort, you might just discover a story that will keep you hooked until the very end.

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XiRoLiRo

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This captivating series is centered around an English cathedral community.

Each individual book within the series zeroes in on one of the key major players. What makes this series truly unique is that all of the players are present throughout all of the books.

As a result, the reader has the opportunity to witness the same events from a variety of differing perspectives.

This multi-faceted approach not only adds depth and complexity to the story but also keeps the reader completely engrossed from start to finish.

In my opinion (IOM), this series is undoubtedly Howatch's best work to date.

It showcases her remarkable talent for creating rich, detailed characters and weaving together intricate storylines that draw the reader in and refuse to let go.

Whether you're a fan of historical fiction, character-driven novels, or simply a great story, this series is not to be missed.

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fierysun

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Mystical revelation takes center stage in 'Glamorous Powers'. The story focuses on Fr Jon(athan) Darrow's exploration of his faith and relationships. The characterisation is so vivid that it practically compels the reader to go back to the first book, 'Glittering Images', to review and analyze how the character in the first person compares to the one previously encountered in the second person by Charles Ashworth.

Overall, it's another great read. However, I recall this book being a bit puzzling simply because the analysis of action and reaction is presented in a way that I only rarely engage in during real life. But just when it starts to feel a bit heavy, the author lightens the mood with the most wonderful tongue-in-cheek humor. For example, the reordering of the church, dusting down the organist, and shaking up the choirboys (p.360). This humor adds a refreshing touch and makes the reading experience even more enjoyable.

Despite the initial confusion, the depth of the characters and the thought-provoking exploration of faith and relationships make 'Glamorous Powers' a must-read for fans of the series. It continues to build on the world established in the first book and leaves the reader eager to see what comes next.

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bloodycrow

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Susan Howatch is truly putting me to the test.

It challenges all of my determination to uphold my ideals, my longing to love, and my ability to show mercy. My hermeneutic of love is being stretched.

For the first 80% of reading this, I truly hated it. I actively shunned it all week. I found Jonathan Darrow to be so extremely unpleasant and irritating that I could hardly endure a few chapters at a time.

Of course, this attests to Howatch's proficiency in creating a realistic character. However, that doesn't enhance the reading experience when I have the urge to reach through the pages and shout at him to stop being so foolish. Ugh.

Yet, in the final part of the novel, there was such remarkable beauty, goodness, and truth. The story transformed from being frustrating to satisfying, and I finally closed the book at peace with myself and its world.

Howatch mentions at the end that she wrote this book as an exploration of the mystic theology of William Ralph Inge, and I believe she also wrote it as an exploration of 1 Corinthians 13. It's just that most of the book focuses on the first three verses, and only the final portion pertains to the rest of the chapter.

I was on the verge of swearing off Howatch while reading this, but....probably not. Just not this particular series for a good long while.

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Glamorous Powers

susan howatch

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