This is the only book I have ever read that, at one crucial point, did not just bring me to tears.

It elicited from me a convulsive bout of deep mourning, a profound sorrow for all that had happened in the lives of the people Susan Howatch had created in this entire series.

I had to put the book down and bury my head in my hands, working through the grief of all that the entire Starbridge Series had meant.

And yet, I loved it.

Start from the beginning of the series and work your way to this book. You will eventually need to read the St. Benet's Trilogy, but the six books of the Starbridge Series stand alone and apart.

Every year when the Nobel Prize for Literature is announced and Susan Howatch is not the winner, it feels like an affront to any sense of justice in the universe. Her works are so rich, so deeply moving, and so masterfully crafted that it seems almost unjust that she has not received this highest accolade in the literary world.

The Starbridge Series takes readers on an emotional journey through the lives of complex and flawed characters, exploring themes of love, loss, faith, and redemption. It is a work of art that deserves to be recognized and celebrated on the grandest stage.

A clergyman friend of mine recommended this author to me, and she truly does not disappoint.

Her themes predominantly revolve around those aspects that are driven by human foibles such as faith, love, envy, and so on. She constructs her characters with remarkable skill, vividly showing their inner thoughts as they traverse their complex world of God and humanity.

The way she characterizes the relationships and the struggles that each person endures showcases just how weary we can become when confronted with our inner demons. It is easy to understand how a member of the clergy would find her writing highly relatable.

Characters like Charles and Neville, John and Lyle are like the Greek chorus, constantly dipping in and out of each other's lives. Although it is a long read, it is an excellent choice for a quarantine period when one has the time to fully immerse oneself in the story and explore the depths of the characters and their experiences.

My word, Susan Howatch can really be verbose!

This is my fifth attempt at delving into the Church of England series and my second encounter with Charles Ashworth's story.

While Howatch writes extremely well and has a good understanding of theology, I find myself growing weary of the same psychological dilemma that her main characters face.

They are constantly dealing with father issues in the most Freudian of ways.

And although she wrote from the perspective of one female, Venetia Flaxton, in the previous novel, we are only privy to the psychological minds of men.

We get a hint that Venetia is intellectual, but a love affair with the archdeacon quickly reduces her to a jelly-like state.

In this novel, we come full circle to Charles Ashworth, who made his debut in her first novel in the series, "Glittering Images."

I can honestly say that if you've read one Church of England book by Howatch, you've pretty much read them all.

It would be better to stick to her excellent novels about family dynasties, such as Penmarric and Cashelmarra.

I was assigned to read something for class, but unfortunately, I didn't like it at all.

The text seemed rather dull and uninteresting. It failed to capture my attention from the very beginning. The ideas presented were not engaging, and the writing style was rather dry.

I found myself constantly losing focus while reading. I tried to force myself to get through it, but it was a real struggle.

I think the lack of enthusiasm on my part might have been due to the fact that the topic didn't really resonate with me. It felt like it was just another assignment to complete, rather than something that I could learn from and enjoy.

Overall, this reading experience was not a pleasant one. I hope that in the future, the materials assigned for class will be more interesting and engaging, so that I can actually look forward to reading them.

I just re-read this book, which is the final installment in a six-book series about the Church of England.

Susan Howatch has a remarkable talent for taking theology and breathing life into it through the medium of fiction. Her witty writing style, combined with her profound ideas, makes this book an incredibly satisfying read for me.

This time around, I was particularly eager to re-read this particular volume because its main theme is Romans 8:28 - that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purposes.

I would highly recommend reading this book. However, it is advisable to start with the first one in the series and progress through them in sequence. I believe that this approach will allow you to fully appreciate the richness and depth of the story and the theological concepts it explores.

So, if you're looking for a thought-provoking and engaging read that combines the best of fiction and theology, give this series a try. You won't be disappointed.

I first came across this work in Grove City's Modern Christian Writers class. At that time, it left an impression on me. However, it wasn't until 2015, after having a very moving experience with "Glittering Images" by Susan Howatch, that I reread it and found it to mean so much more.

The story in "Glittering Images" seems to have opened up a new perspective for me, allowing me to see the depth and beauty in this earlier work that I might have overlooked before.

Now, I am truly captivated and plan to read more of the series. I am eager to explore the other books and see how they build upon the foundation laid by this first encounter.

I believe that each new reading will bring new insights and a deeper appreciation for the world that the author has created.

It's amazing how a single book can have such a profound impact and inspire a newfound love for a whole series.

I absolutely loved this entire series.

It was just wonderful in every aspect.

The storylines were engaging, the characters were well-developed and relatable, and the overall production quality was top-notch.

Each episode left me on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating what would happen next.

The series managed to capture my attention from the very beginning and held it until the very end.

I found myself completely immersed in the world that was created, and I didn't want it to end.

I would highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a great entertainment experience.

It's one of the best series I've watched in a long time, and I'm sure it will be enjoyed by many others as well.

A truly satisfying conclusion to an outstanding series of novels!

I was completely captivated by the unique blend of psychology, theology, and Anglican church history. The characters in these novels are developed with such meticulous detail that it's truly a pleasure to explore their depths.

If you take the time to read all six novels, you'll be treated to a fascinating look at how these characters interact with each other in ways that are both believable and engaging.

Each character has their own flaws, strengths, and motivations, and as the story progresses, you see how they grow and change in response to the events around them.

The author has done an excellent job of creating a rich and complex world that draws you in and keeps you hooked until the very end.

Overall, this is a series that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys well-written novels with depth and substance.

I thought I had read all of Susan Howatch's books years ago.

However, to my surprise, I recently found this one on my book shelves.

As I picked it up and looked at it, I suddenly realized that I had not read it yet.

Intrigued, I decided to give it a try.

From the very first page, I was mezmerized.

Howatch's writing is so captivating and her characters are so vividly drawn that I was completely drawn into the story.

I found myself unable to put the book down, reading late into the night and eager to find out what would happen next.

This discovery of an unread Susan Howatch book has been a wonderful treat, and I can't wait to see what other hidden gems I might find on my shelves in the future.

Whew! It took quite some time, but I finally made it through this series.

These are some truly captivating books that I found very intriguing. I'm glad I took the time to read them, but I'm just not certain if I could recommend them to others.

These books present an odd and unique mix of psychology, theology, sex, spirituality, and perhaps even the supernatural. It really takes a particular type of person to fully enjoy this genre of books. I, for one, quite like them. In fact, I had to read them back to back in order to remember all the complex relationships, characters, and connections.

However, I must admit that I'm very glad to have a break now. It has already been a while since I read the first book in the series. By the time I reached the final book and it circled back to revisit a certain character, I realized that I had forgotten much of his "first crisis," which he only mentions indirectly. In fact, we never really hear about the main point of book 4 in this final installment, even though all the familiar characters are still there. So, it seems that you could probably read these books in any order you desire!

I truly adored this book.

It had the remarkable ability to bring all the other books in the series together in a seamless and captivating way.

It was like a literary redemption, tying up loose ends and giving a sense of closure to the entire story arc.

The way the author wove the different elements and characters together was simply masterful.

However, I am deeply sorry that the series has come to an end.

I will surely miss following the adventures and experiences of the beloved characters.

This book has left a lasting impression on me, and I will cherish it as a wonderful addition to the series.

It has been a pleasure to embark on this literary journey, and I can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next.

Overall, this book is a must-read for all fans of the series and anyone who appreciates great literature.

This is the last installment of the 6-book series (Starbridge, #6). I was truly fascinated by this series. While I did enjoy some of the books more than others, I must say that my favorites were the first, second, and sixth. In fact, I especially relished the sixth one and didn't want it to come to an end.

Susan Howatch is an exceptional writer. This series delves into the Church of England in the 20th Century. I gleaned a great deal of knowledge about the Church of England, its inner workings, and organization. In 5 or 10 years' time, I might very well want to reread the entire series. I had numerous questions that emerged from reading English novels. This series answered most, but not all, of the questions I had, and it was also highly entertaining. The characterizations were very good; I felt as if I knew each of these characters on a personal level. Thanks go to my cousin, Les, for first bringing book number 1 to my attention, and to my cousin, Grace, for recommending the whole series.

It's been a wonderful literary journey with the Starbridge series, and I'm looking forward to seeing what other great works Susan Howatch has in store for us.