I have absolutely no clue how this book came into my possession.

Ordinarily, I tend to shy away from anything that is overly religious.

Yet, it has been sitting on my bookshelf for an extremely long time.

Coincidentally, it happened to fit a particular reading theme that I had in mind.

So, I decided to pick it up and give it a try.

At various points while reading, I couldn't help but wonder why I was bothering to invest my time in it.

After all, it delved quite deeply into the exploration of faith, which isn't really something that interests me.

However, there was one aspect that I did appreciate.

I liked the way it handled the relationships between friends, family, and acquaintances.

It presented a rather nuanced view of these interpersonal connections.

Surprisingly, I didn't realize that it was part of a series until I had finished reading the entire book.

Nonetheless, it did manage to stand on its own quite well.

Despite that, I don't think I will be actively seeking out the rest of the books in the series.

Maybe I'll just leave it at that and move on to other reading materials.

One of my all-time favorites is this book.

I read it for school, but it was at a time when I was going through a tough personal phase. Due to this, I really connected with the main character. I loved it so much that I would read it over and over again, which is why I shelved it in a special way.

Honestly, I'm not sure if my feelings would be the same if I read it again now. After all, my personal life has changed a lot since I first read it several years ago. However, one thing that this book dealt with was forgiveness and how challenging it can be when you've been deeply hurt. And I think that's a theme that we can all relate to on many occasions. It makes us reflect on our own lives and the times when we've had to grapple with forgiveness.

Overall, this book holds a special place in my heart and will always be one that I remember fondly.

The follow-up to the Book - Glittering Image. Charles Ashworth has now risen to the position of a Bishop. This book delves deep into the extremely real struggles that existed within the Church during the 60's. It uncovers the various challenges and dilemmas that the Church had to face during that era. These are not just historical issues but ones that the Church is still grappling with today. The 60's was a time of great social and cultural change, and the Church was not immune to these influences. The book explores how the Church tried to adapt and respond to these changes while still maintaining its core values and teachings. It also examines the internal conflicts and power struggles that took place within the Church hierarchy. Through the story of Charles Ashworth, we get a glimpse into the complex and often tumultuous world of the Church in the 60's and beyond.

I could hardly put this down.

Howatch weaves a remarkable tapestry of insights into human nature and spiritual struggles within this captivating tale.

The story unfolds with a depth and complexity that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

Through her vivid descriptions and nuanced characterizations, Howatch delves into the inner workings of the human psyche, exploring themes such as love, loss, redemption, and the search for meaning.

The spiritual struggles of the characters add an extra layer of depth to the narrative, as they grapple with their beliefs, doubts, and desires.

This book is not only a thrilling read but also a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be human.

It challenges the reader to reflect on their own life and values, and to consider the role that spirituality plays in their journey.

Overall, Howatch's work is a masterpiece that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who has the pleasure of reading it.

I found this one to be a bit on the verbose side.

However, it still serves as a fitting conclusion to an enthralling series.

Given that I'm not a religious individual, it truly speaks volumes about Susan Howatch's writing prowess that I was so captivated by this series of tales centered around clergymen.

I'm quite glad that I chose to read it on my iPad.

This is because I frequently had to rely on the dictionary function to define numerous theological terms.

The use of such specialized vocabulary added an extra layer of depth to the stories, but also made it necessary for me to have quick access to definitions.

Overall, despite the verbosity at times, I thoroughly enjoyed this series and would highly recommend it to others.

It offers a unique perspective on the lives and struggles of clergymen, and Howatch's writing style keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

Looking back, this book stands out as one of the most captivating ones I read in the past year.

It's difficult to pinpoint exactly, but perhaps what I relished the most was that the main characters were robust, complex, intelligent, and yet flawed. Even though their beliefs and ways of life diverged significantly from my own, I could still identify with their dilemmas, decisions, and the emotional aftermath of the various plot twists.

Another aspect that made the book compelling was the philosophical and theological discourse regarding the conservative, liberal, and charismatic aspects of the Anglican church in 20th-century England. Although I'm an atheist myself, having been raised by a conservative Episcopalian father and a devout Catholic mother, I still find the viewpoints that divide the different factions of the Christian community highly intriguing.

Somewhat unexpectedly, I found myself strongly empathizing with the main character, Charles Ashworth, despite his being a conservative Anglican Bishop. Likely because he constantly strives to question and better understand his beliefs and opinions, and is able to evolve them throughout the book, despite several significant setbacks. Additionally, many of the family and career issues he encounters are universal enough that even someone like me, in a completely different era and environment, can relate.

While it may not break any literary barriers, the novel does address emotional, psychological, and philosophical issues, constructs a dramatic narrative with a brisk pace, and presents everything in an intelligent and articulate manner.

I think I have truly discovered my favorite author.

It is quite an interesting situation because I didn't realize that the book I picked up was the last one in a series when I initially started reading it.

However, despite this unforeseen circumstance, I found it incredibly easy to become fully engaged and immersed in the story.

The author's writing style and the way the plot unfolded simply drew me in from the very beginning.

As I continued reading, I became more and more captivated, and before I knew it, the book had come to an end.

It was really hard to have it finish because I had become so attached to the characters and the world that the author had created.

I can't wait to go back and read the previous books in the series to learn more about the story's background and the development of the characters.

This author has truly impressed me with their brilliant writing skills, and I look forward to exploring more of their works in the future.

I have finally completed the Starbridge Series that I began in 2019.

This final installment has been an absolute delight. Howatch's writing is solid, and the characters she has created are well-drawn and incredibly interesting.

It is truly brilliant how she has intertwined these characters throughout the stories of six rather substantial books.

She also provides a very realistic portrayal of the Church of England, making it almost a character in its own right, with all its flaws and underbelly.

And at the end, she gives the reader a powerful message of healing, redemption, and hope.

We see that change can be positive, lives can be transformed, and love can conquer all.

It is simply beautiful and has left a lasting impression on me.

The sixth and final installment in the Starbridge series, Absolute Truths, once more centers around Charles Ashworth, who is now the influential bishop of Starbridge.

Tragedy suddenly befalls his family, compelling Ashworth to confront absolute truths regarding his marriage, his connections with his sons, his bishopric, and even his spiritual existence. The ensuing crisis makes for captivating reading.

This was the very first Howatch book I read for a college class. One of the remarkable aspects of this series is that you can commence reading from any point without significant difficulty.

Truly, I cannot extol this series enough. I have perused all of them at least four times. Procure them today!

Some people might think that this is a bit 'preachy' for a large part of the time. However, I really enjoyed it.

After all, how else can one handle the huge issues of guilt, grief, and despair?

The main characters in this story seemed to grow up at a much faster pace than they would in real life.

This might be a way for the author to explore and present these complex emotions and experiences more intensively.

Despite the fast-paced growth of the characters, the story still manages to touch on many important aspects of human nature and the human condition.

It makes the reader think about how we deal with difficult emotions and how we can find hope and strength in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, although some may find it a bit 'preachy', I believe that this story has a lot to offer in terms of exploring the big issues of guilt, grief, and despair.

A very busy book indeed. As I was reading, I constantly found myself wondering if in the end, the author would have enough time to neatly wrap up all the loose ends. And just like the characters within the story, the narrator surprises you. We are taken back to the first guy and sent back in time since book 5. I truly loved the way the books in this series interweave. It's especially fascinating how the three main guys are brought together in the end. Oh, and the great aspects of the church that they all represent. Side note: I wonder if SH had a favorite among them. But then again, I'll never truly know how a writer's mind works. Just like the God she reflects upon and these guys try to serve, this book cannot be simply labeled or confined to a nice little box.

It's kind of sad to be writing this review because it means that this series has come to an end. Wow, what a significant part of my life it has been over the past year. Another side note: I am currently doing Beth Moore's Bible study at church, titled "When godly people do ungodly things," which is about making a big mistake as a believer and then being healed. This book is a perfect illustration of all that and how God weaves everything together for the good of those who love him.

On my second reading, I once again loved seeing the three characters come together. The series was redeemed for me after not enjoying books 4 and 5 as much this time around. I have a great love for reading about lives that are transformed and understanding that it's not a straight and easy journey but rather a tumultuous up and down one. Also, I bought a Book of Common Prayer. These books, along with a memoir, have made me desire to be more a part of the historical universal church and all its wisdom. I am definitely going to read more of her books, and I will most likely read these again in a decade!

Some books are hard to get into at first, but they are truly worth persevering with. This particular book is one of those. It's sometimes better to open it half way through to make a start and then work back to the beginning. It offers a unique insight into life on the other side of the confessional. In particular, it delves into the internal life of wives of clerics who are dealing with major family problems. The depth and perceptiveness of this exploration made me think deeply. However, it's important to note that this is not a writer I can take too much of. Nevertheless, it is definitely worth a look. It provides a different perspective on a world that many of us may not be familiar with. It makes us question our assumptions and understand the complexity of human relationships and the challenges that people face. So, if you're looking for a thought-provoking read, give this book a chance.