I find it rather challenging to provide a comprehensive explanation of this series.

It is a unique combination of a thrilling page-turner that incorporates extensive theological and psychological debates. At first glance, it doesn't seem like the kind of book that would appeal to me. However, there is something strangely addictive about it.

The characters in this series have truly left a lasting impression on me. I often find myself reflecting on them regularly. Despite the fact that the plots are sometimes predictable, it's in the same way that human behavior can often be anticipated.

I have just completed the fourth book in the series, which clearly indicates that I have developed a genuine liking for them.

I look forward to seeing where the story will lead in the upcoming installments.

This was truly one of the most interesting books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It was so engaging, captivating, and relatable that it actually gave me the chills.

However, this is the only book I have read from the 3-book series, and to be honest, I don't have a strong desire to read the other two. On a personal level, this one was very good, but at times it was also rather boring and dull. The first 150-200 pages felt like a real burden to get through. They could have easily been condensed into 50-100 pages at most. This is a general observation about the book. The author, Susan Howatch, sometimes took a whole page to explain things that could have been clearly stated in just a line or two. I understand that she may have been trying to create an atmosphere or mood for what was to follow, but it just didn't work for me. (This is the reason why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5).

Despite its flaws, "Glamorous Powers" has really made me reflect on many aspects of my life, how I perceive various situations, and more importantly, how I view people.

On the downside, as an agnostic, I found the constant mentions of God and absolute belief in him to be rather boring and not particularly meaningful. It even made me question Susan's intellect for a moment. This, in turn, made me wonder if I should take the book seriously or not. Eventually, I realized that belief (or the lack thereof) and intellectual analysis are not always directly related. And I have to admit that the analysis in this novel was beyond my own innate analytical abilities. So, thank you, Susan, for opening my eyes and making me see things in a way I would have never been able to without reading your wonderful piece of art.

I think these "glamorous" powers would have not been such a problem if the author had proposed the use of feline hair ball remedies! It appears to me that the source of all the mishaps of hubris described stem from the unfortunate and untimely demise of Whitby, that cat up at Ruydale!

Personally, I particularly appreciate and cherish both my hounds and house cat! They bring so much joy and companionship to my life. The way my hounds play and run around, full of energy, always makes me smile. And my house cat, with its soft fur and gentle purring, is the perfect companion when I want to relax and unwind.

I am acquainted with "The Cloud of Unknowing", an anonymous work of Christian mysticism written in Middle English in the latter half of the 14th century. However, I am unfamiliar with Dame Julian of Norwich, the anchoress who is regarded as an important Christian mystic. She is venerated in the Anglican and Lutheran churches. Her work, written around 1395, advocates that "all is well...". I would love to learn more about her and her teachings.

This is a remarkable novel that develops and reveals the source of the flaws in the principal character in an enlightening and interesting manner! It keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end and makes you think about the human condition and the choices we make. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good read.

This is the second book in Susan Howatch's Starbridge series.

The main character, Jon Darrow, who made an appearance in the first book ('Glitering Images'), truly intrigued me. Darrow, a widower, chose to become a monk after the passing of his wife. He possessed a gift for healing and also dabbled in exorcisms. However, after nearly two decades as a clergyman, he had a vision that led him to leave the church.

Darrow's new life was far from dull. Especially after he met a much younger woman and decided to marry her. Unfortunately, both of them had a lot of emotional baggage. She had experienced a broken engagement, while he had an unhappy first marriage that left him with two children and very strained relations with them.

Darrow was initially a likeable character. However, he got carried away with what he believed God had called him to do. He became overly driven and, as a result, unlikeable, making everyone around him unhappy. Howatch has the ability to spin a complex tale with fascinating characters, filled with lots of drama and numerous twists and turns. I am really looking forward to Book Three!

The second book in the "Church of England" series offers yet another incisive exploration of raw humanity.

The author employs terminology that might prove offensive to some. However, if one can navigate through that, it is truly worth reading. For instance, the term "psychic" is used not in an occult sense but in its dictionary meaning of "of or relating to the psyche [mind]."

I have been deeply influenced by the realizations that dawned on me while reading this book. Primarily, I have a stronger aspiration to be held strictly accountable in the domain of dreams and visions. Although this may sound uninteresting, it touched me profoundly!

Once again, the author did an outstanding job in characterization.

Jonathan Darrow remarks, "Without suffering, in fact, there would be no life as we know it; we'd all be wooden images, utterly static, in a world where nothing ever happened and where God's love would fall on barren soil."

I suddenly became aware of God's generosity, and in the next moment, I was overcome by the boundless and indescribable nature of divine love. I opened my eyes - my physical eyes - and for a split second, the psychic and material visions collided, causing my oak cross on the altar to vibrate with light. I saw Christ crucified, Christ redeemed - and at that moment, it was etched in my mind that I was finally liberated from all my past guilt. The tide of forgiveness was too powerful; no anguish and self-hatred could withstand it and survive.

Francis Ingram exclaims, "How typical!" in disgust. "You think you can do anything, don't you - even read your subconscious mind! It never occurs to you in your arrogance that your subconscious mind may be beyond the reach not only of your intellectual powers but of your tiresome psychic powers as well!"

Anne says, "I know you're not [complaining] and sometimes I worry about that too. I don't think it's good for you to bottle everything up and pretend that everything in the garden's lovely..."

This was a re-read for me of Glamorous Powers, the second book in Howatch’s six-book Starbridge series.

As I delved into its pages once more, I found myself completely captivated. It's truly remarkable how this story can still have such a profound impact.

In Glittering Images, Father Jon Darrow was presented as this almost god-like figure, so masterful and in control. But in Glamorous Powers, we see him knocked from his pedestal, revealed as a fallible human just like the rest of us.

Similar to the preceding novel, the reader is taken on a difficult and often harrowing psychological and spiritual journey. After having a powerful vision, Father Darrow decides that he wants to leave the Anglican order of the Fordite monks.

However, before he can do so, he must face several challenges. He has to confront his former rival and current superior, Francis Ingram. He also needs to heal his relationship with his adult children and come to terms with secular life and marriage.

This book is a beautiful exploration of human nature, faith, and the search for meaning. It makes you question your own beliefs and values and forces you to look at the world from a different perspective.

I highly recommend Glamorous Powers to anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking and engaging read.

I make an effort to read books that are beneficial to me, such as parenting books and biographies, in the intervals between my escapism fiction books. This particular book happened to be a combination of both. It is the third SH book that I have read. The first two were extremely alike, but although this one had many of the same elements, overall it was very different. The order of mystery and counseling was different, and there was a lot less sex.

It is about a monk who returns to the world. It was great for me to be reminded of the importance of constantly communicating with God and that one of our duties is to worship Him. It also taught me to view the trivial aspects of life with the proper perspective, neither getting consumed by them nor completely shunning them. And despite all that, it was very entertaining.

On the second reading, it was just as good again. I didn't remember everything, and there isn't much of a plot, just a journey through his life. Once again, there was such wisdom on worship and work, and especially the discussion of suffering on page 361. I stayed up a couple of nights too late reading, but I'm so glad I'm rereading these books. They offer valuable insights and a source of inspiration that I can draw from time and time again.

Exceptional. This word holds a certain allure, doesn't it? It implies something extraordinary, something that stands out from the ordinary.

Exceptional individuals are those who possess unique qualities or talents that set them apart. They have an innate drive to achieve greatness and are not afraid to take risks.

Exceptional achievements often come as a result of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. It is the ability to go above and beyond what is expected and to reach for the impossible.

In a world where mediocrity seems to prevail, being exceptional is like a shining star in the night sky. It catches our attention and inspires us to strive for more.

Whether it's in the fields of art, science, sports, or any other area, exceptional people leave a lasting impact. Their contributions shape our society and push the boundaries of what is possible.

So, let us all strive to be exceptional in our own ways. Let us embrace our individuality, pursue our passions, and never settle for less. Because in the end, it is the exceptional who make a difference and leave their mark on the world.

I am absolutely thrilled to have made the discovery of this remarkable author and this captivating series. It is truly a rare find in the world of fiction that so few works delve into such intricate detail about the spiritual struggles of an experienced priest. However, this book has exceeded all expectations and delivered in every single respect.

It has opened up a whole new world of exploration and understanding for me. Now that I have stumbled upon this precious source of intellectually and spiritually satisfying content, I eagerly look forward to spending many hours immersed in its pages, lost in the profound thoughts and emotions it evokes.

I am confident that each reading will bring new insights and a deeper appreciation for the complex themes and characters presented within. This is not just a book; it is a journey of the soul that I am excited to embark on again and again.

It is truly astonishing how a character like Jon Darrow can possess such an incredibly profound understanding of the inner lives of others, while simultaneously being so astonishingly self-deceived about his own inner world. On numerous occasions, I found myself on the verge of wanting to give him a good smack.

It is also rather perplexing how a book that consists mostly of dialogues between Anglican priests could turn out to be such a captivating page-turner that keeps me awake at night. And yet, here we are. The characters are vivid, and the explorations of who people are and why they do what they do are so illuminating.

I have such strange and mixed feelings about so many elements of this series. And yet, I simply couldn't put this book down. Some of the wise insights into the human heart and its motives were like a personal gut punch, but in the very best way. It makes me reflect deeply on my own life and the people around me.

This is the second book of the Starbridge series. Sadly, I didn't relish it as much as "Glittering Images".

I got a bit muddled in the middle of this one. However, upon finishing it, I promptly went to the library and checked out the third book.

This book is narrated by Jon Darrow, who was Charles Ashworth's spiritual director in the first book. This more intimate portrayal of Darrow reveals a man who is conflicted, proud, dishonest, concealing, and self-deluded. I believe this is one of the reasons I found the middle of this book challenging. In "Glittering Images", Darrow was wise, insightful, and always incisive in his analysis of others, a bit like Gandalf. But in this book, his feet are more of clay, and his inner life is a mess.

Nevertheless, it has an interesting plot. Darrow turns sixty, has a vision, and petitions to leave the monastery, which leads to a discernment process with his Abbot General, occupying the first third of the book. In the second part, he acclimates to the outside world, falls in love, gets married, becomes a parish priest, starts a career as a healer and an exorcist, and has a spiritual breakdown where he thinks he's possessed. The conclusion involves him working through relational issues with his kids, wife, and past. He even has an interaction with the chief antagonist from the first book, setting the stage for book 3.

As an ecclesial fiction, this is still rather good. Darrow's mysticism is of a Neo-Platonic variety (styled by Howatch after William Inge). In this novel, the counterpoint of his Abbot-General's rationalism provides a nice balance. Thus far, there has been no intelligent low-church voice in Starbridge.

The year is 1940. Jonathan Darrow, an Anglican priest, experiences a shattering vision that compels him to leave the monastery where he has resided for seventeen years.

As he ventures into the real world with all its temptations, a crisis forces him to delve into the labyrinth of his past, unearthing the buried truth beneath the deceptions he has endured.

When I first picked up this book, I had certain expectations regarding the narrator's psychic powers, especially after the initial scene where he has a vision. However, I was completely wrong.

The main character is a 60-year-old widow and father of two who has spent the last 17 years in a religious order. The first quarter of the book details two months of discussions with his superior as he attempts to leave the order. Once he finally does, he travels around, alienating his daughter and his homosexual alcoholic son. Then, he marries a woman half his age whom he has only known for two months and is appointed as a local curate.

This book is overly focused on the Christian church process, with excessive verbiage and at times, it feels rather burdensome. His so-called "deep" discourses, such as those on the afterworld or grief, often seem more like lectures to the reader, making his listener (in this case, his wife) appear rather dim-witted.

I don't believe I finished it as I struggled to get beyond the halfway point.