This is the second book in the Starbridge series and one of my absolute favorites.

I have a particular fondness for Jon, who is quite aptly described in a later book as “an old pirate.” This description suits him perfectly. Especially after Captain Jack Sparrow came along and truly convinced me about the allure of pirates.

Jon Darrow, an Anglican priest and abbot endowed with psychic abilities, has a vision. He interprets this vision as God's instruction to depart from his religious order, a monastery that has been his home for seventeen long years.

“In this witty and wise novel, the question 'Does God exist?' is always understood and, true to life, ambiguously answered.” It makes the reader constantly思考 and reflect on the profound meaning behind this question, adding an extra layer of depth and intrigue to the story.

The characters and the plot in this book are so engaging that it keeps you hooked from the very beginning until the end. It's a truly remarkable read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good story with a touch of mystery and spiritual exploration.

Great book

This is truly a remarkable book. The underlying story is simply lovely, filled with depth and charm. However, it does pose a challenge to the reader. In order to fully appreciate and understand the essence of the story, one must make a conscious effort to get into the mind of the author. For some, this may prove to be rather confusing as the author's perspective and way of presenting the narrative might be quite unique. But once the reader manages to break through this initial barrier and align their thoughts with that of the author, they will be rewarded with a rich and engaging reading experience. The book has the power to transport the reader to another world, filled with emotions and ideas that will linger long after the final page has been turned.

The first time I read Glamorous Powers was approximately around 1989.

After the passage of so many years, when I re-read the novel, it truly felt as if I was reading it for the very first time. I had forgotten an astonishing amount of the plot.

Nonetheless, my opinion remains steadfast that Susan Howatch is one of the most supremely gifted writers of fiction that has ever graced the literary world.

Now, it's time to move on to the next installment in the series. (Yes, it awaits me in my bookcase, just waiting to be discovered and devoured once again!)

I am excited to embark on this new literary journey and see where it takes me.

I have a feeling that it will be just as captivating and engaging as Glamorous Powers.

As I reach for the next book, I can't help but wonder what new adventures and characters await me within its pages.

It's this sense of anticipation and excitement that keeps me coming back to Susan Howatch's novels time and time again.

I really liked this second installment in the series quite a bit.

It had a wonderful blend of the psychological and the spiritual, which made it truly captivating.

Moreover, it provided me with a fascinating window into the Anglo-Catholic wing of the church during the mid-20th century.

This aspect was particularly interesting as it allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of that specific time and place within the church.

I find these novels to be extremely illuminating when it comes to the role that one's spiritual health plays in their ministry.

They show how important it is for those in ministry to maintain a healthy spiritual life in order to effectively serve others.

The combination of these elements makes this series a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of faith, psychology, and history.

The follow-up to Glittering Images

left me with a bit of a mixed feeling. I have to say that I found this book not quite as good as the original.

However, it was still enjoyable enough that I had a hard time putting it down.

I freely admit to being completely hooked on this series.

The characters and the storylines have drawn me in and kept me engaged from the very beginning.

I can't wait to continue reading and finish them all.

It's like a guilty pleasure that I just can't resist.

Even though this particular installment didn't quite reach the same heights as the first book, I'm still hopeful that the remaining ones will bring more excitement and surprises.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the story develops and what new adventures await the characters.

Overall, while not perfect, the series as a whole has been a great read so far.

Strangely, I find myself utterly fascinated by this series of books.

There is something about them that keeps drawing me in, yet I can't quite put my finger on exactly why.

The characters within these pages are truly intriguing. They have depth and complexity that makes them come alive in my imagination.

However, they can also be frustrating at times. Their actions and decisions don't always align with what I expect or hope for.

As I read, I find myself ricocheting between two extremes. On one hand, I am embracing the theology presented in the books.

It offers new perspectives and makes me think deeply about my own beliefs.

On the other hand, there are moments when I want to scream at it.

Some of the ideas seem so foreign or perhaps a bit too radical for my liking.

Overall, this series of books has had a profound impact on me, and I can't wait to see where the story takes me next.

I read this on holiday.

It was an interesting read, but I have to admit that I didn't like it as much as Ultimate a Prizes. In fact, it seems like I'm reading the series backwards. Ultimate a Prizes had a truly surprising climax that made me cry.

As for this book, the lead character, Jon Darrow, was a bit of a hard sell. He was fascinating when he was a peripheral character, but as the main focus, it was difficult to warm to him.

Perhaps it was because his personality was so complex and a bit on the cold side. Nevertheless, the story itself had its moments, and I'm still curious to see where the series will go from here.

Overall, it was an okay read, but not quite as engaging as I had hoped.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, perhaps even more so than the first one in the series.

This could be attributed to the fact that I found the main character and his arduous struggles to be far more captivating.

Moreover, there was a noticeable reduction in the element of creepiness compared to the initial book.

The story revolves around a man who has decided to leave his monastic community and is now in the process of finding his true place in the real world.

This journey is further complicated by a vision that he had prior to leaving.

I was truly impressed by the guidance and exhortation that he received from other Christians, as well as the discipline that was required and demonstrated in his spiritual exercises.

This, in turn, inspired me to be more conscious and mindful about my own daily practices.

Although I engage in these practices on a regular basis, they can sometimes become too routine and lose their significance.

This book served as a timely reminder for me to reevaluate and rejuvenate my spiritual journey.

This was just as good as the first book, Glittering Images.

It truly captured my attention and held it throughout. I was so impressed that I intend to read the 3rd book in the trilogy as well.

These books, although in novel form and set within the hierarchy of the Church of England, have a profound impact on me. They make me stop and examine my own Christian experience.

I find myself reflecting on my beliefs, my relationship with God, and my journey of faith.

The stories are not only engaging but also spiritually uplifting. They offer insights and perspectives that I might not have considered otherwise.

Each character is well-developed, and their struggles and triumphs resonate with me on a deep level.

I am grateful to have discovered this trilogy and look forward to continuing my exploration of these wonderful books.

I believe that they will continue to enrich my spiritual life and help me grow in my faith.

Overall, I highly recommend these books to anyone who is interested in exploring the Christian faith or simply enjoys a good read.

Oy, I truly wish I hadn't taken a six-month interlude right in the middle of reading this book. But, you know, that's life and it often gets in the way.

Just like in Glittering Images, Glamorous Powers is several hundreds of pages of enduring absolute spiritual disorder and chaos. It's a long and arduous journey before finally bursting into (mercifully, at long blessed last) grace-filled healing. I've been informed that all of the Starbridge books are like this, a fact about which I have rather mixed feelings.

We also get to enjoy Howatch's patented Snappy Churchman Dialogue, which is truly one of my main incentives for reading her prose. The woman really knows how to handle some snappy Anglican conflict.

That being said, as I dutifully trudged through the rage (I found writing marginalia yelling at Jon Darrow for his folly to be somewhat cathartic), I did eventually reach the stage of healing. The brokenness of Howatch's characters is so infuriating precisely because it's so familiar. We are all, at times, this blind to our own sin (though please, God, not for four hundred pages). If anything, it gives me hope to be reminded that all of us, confusingly, mercifully, and blessedly, are able to be healed even in the depths of profound spiritual disease and disrepair. Even when, like Jon Darrow, we 100,000% know better.

It was fun to see some of our friends (and enemies?) from the first Starbridge book again. A certain friendship that was struck up over chess brought a surprised smile to my face.

However, I'm retracting one star for the excessive number of times the words 'glamorous' and 'powers' appeared in this book in that order. This is Susan Howatch's hamartia. I was not at all amused to see the title for the next book popping up in the last chapter of this one.

Awful. Just truly awful. This book is almost precisely like other books in numerous ways. After reading "The Wonder Worker" and then "Glittering Images," I simply couldn't endure a cookie-cutter book any longer. I abandoned it approximately one-fourth of the way through, but not before I had flipped through the pages to ensure that it didn't miraculously get vastly better. Sadly, it didn't.

I notice that I gave it 4 stars the last time I read it. I must have had a significant break between Starbridge books during that time. I might have enjoyed it more had I not read the two other books back to back with "Glamorous Powers." However, I'm fairly certain that I wouldn't have loved it even then. There's an overabundance of sex, father issues, sex, ordination-conferred psychic and hypnotic powers, and sex obsession....

I was traveling, so I left it, only partly read, in California!

Second in the Starbridge series about the Church of England,

this is another brilliant psychological novel. It features the enigmatic Jon Darrow, who leaves the monastic life and endeavors to follow God's will in the world. As he embarks on this new journey, his insecurities and hangups gradually surface. However, he also begins to accept the process of healing, which adds depth and complexity to his character.

The story is utterly enthralling, with totally believable people, situations, and conversations. The author has crafted a world that feels real and engaging, drawing the reader in from the very first page. It is a wonderful read that is eminently re-readable. While it can stand alone, it is best read after 'Glittering Images' to fully appreciate the context and the development of the characters and the story.

Overall, this novel is a must-read for fans of psychological fiction and those interested in exploring the themes of faith, self-discovery, and healing within the context of the Church of England.