An introduction to Susan Howatch (Glittering Images - Susan Howatch)

Member Name: Kukana

Product:	Glittering Images - Susan Howatch
Date:	16/12/03 (80 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: wonderful, believable characters, cleverly written plot, five sequels

Disadvantages: takes a little while to get going, impossible to put down!

Five years ago, I had never heard of Susan Howatch. Then, browsing in a second-hand bookshop, I saw an inexpensive book called 'Glittering Images'. It was an old edition, with a black cover, and I thought it might appeal to my husband since most of his books seem to have black spines! So I bought it with a few other books, and brought it home.

When I looked at the 'blurb' on the back, I realised it wasn't - as I had assumed - another spy or thriller book after all. Indeed I couldn't imagine who it would appeal to, starting as it did: 'Beneath the smooth surface of an episcopal palace lurks the salacious breath of scandal'. It continued to say that the book was 'a rich tapestry of love, tension and drama... a novel of people in high places, of desperate longings.. lies, evasions...' and so on. Not really my scene either, I thought. I put it on a shelf, and forgot about it.

A few months later we were eating a meal with a good friend of mine, and I happened to spot the same book on one of her shelves. Out of curiosity, I asked if she had read it, and what it was like. She told me it was an excellent book - that it was in a genre of its own, with wonderfully drawn characters, psychological dramas, and great insights into the Church of England in the early 20th century. Then she told me that it was the first in a series of six books, and that they were all well worth reading, some of the best books she had come across in recent years.

Respecting the opinion of my friend, and sharing most of her taste in literature, I decided to try it. I have to admit it took a while to get into it. I read the first few pages but my mind wandered... and I put it down. A day or two later I picked it up again, and read a bit more, and realised I hadn't taken in a word. But eventually I determined to give it a fair trial, so one afternoon when I had nothing else to do and needed time alone to relax, I
made the effort to read a bit more. By the time I had finished the first chapter (which is fairly long, being sub-divided itself into several parts) I was hooked!

* Brief outline *

The book features (and is narrated by) Charles Ashworth. He is a young clergyman who is sent by his archbishop to investigate a leading bishop. This bishop, who lives in unusual circumstances, is outspoken, and known to be fond of women; Charles' task is to ensure that there are no documents or letters which might incriminate him in any way.

So Charles goes to stay in the bishop's home, and quickly becomes emotionally involved in his household, far more deeply than he expected. He meets several people whom he chats to, hoping that they might reveal something about the bishop - and in the process becomes drawn into an increasingly complex net.

The plot move fast as Charles discovers things about himself which he did not know, gradually looks into hidden problems in his past, and uncovers - in the end - a situation which nobody could have guessed. Sub-plots intertwine, and the psychology of each character is explored in realistic ways, giving an incredibly satisfying novel in its own right, but also setting the scene for the sequence of the five further novels which are sequels, each narrated by different characters, and each covering a later period, right up to the 1980s.

* Appeal of the book *

The amazing thing about this book is that it appeals to a wide audience, in completely different ways. I loved it for its deep understanding of people, of the brilliant ways in which past hurts were gently brought into the open, and most of all the glimpses at the sufferings that so often lie behind the 'Glittering Images' that are presented by successful people, particularly in the church, where ministers are often expected to be somehow holier than everyone else. I loved the character of Charles, young, ambitious,
yet deeply insecure at root. I also fell in love with the character of Jon Darrow, an Anglican monk who assists Charles through some difficult times. And in addition to all this, I appreciated the glimpses into the way the Church of England worked in the early part of the 20th century.

My husband did read the book too, although it's not really his kind of book. He found it deeply moving, and found himself identifying strongly with one of the main characters. He also found it quite disturbing, and although he read one of the sequels, he decided that they were too draining emotionally, and did not read the rest. I've discussed it with people who like it for the drama, people who like it for its insights into the church (whether or not they are themselves interested in Christianity), people who like it for the somewhat mystical elements, and people who like it for the psychology.

* My personal opinion *

I've read this book three times now, in four years, which is probably a record for me. Usually I only re-read a book after about five years. Each time I find more in it, and each time I am moved afresh. The characters are so real, I feel that I know them, and would recognise them if I met them in the street. I can relate to almost all of them, but particularly Charles. As I read, I feel his concern, his panic, his worry, his anger, his eventual determination to do what he believes to be the right path - indeed the only one he can possibly take, while keeping his integrity.

Susan Howatch is not just a brilliant author, she is also a historian of some note; many of her earlier books were based cleverly on notable characters and plots from the past. 'Glittering Images' is more loosely based on real people: the archbishop involved was real, and the bishop and his household were based on real people. However Charles is fictitious, and the situation which Charles uncovers is based solely on the autho
r's invention. A note at the back of the book explains this in more detail.

* Availability and price *

'Glittering Images' and its sequels are available in paperback from most good bookshops for about £8, or from Amazon.co.uk at a slight discount. You can also often find them in second-hand bookshops or charity shops. 'Glittering Images' is about 500 pages long and is certainly not an 'easy-read', or even a light novel, but in my opinion it's well worth the price, and the effort it takes to get started.

(This review is part of the Book and Magazines Book challenge where members are asked to write about a book which they think would be a good introduction to an authors work, a genre or style. ** dooyoo say they will hurry through any item requests. If they are flagged "Books" they will see they go through as quickly as possible. They do ask that they not be "In General" but a specific Book. Any which have consumer information will be eligible for crowns.)

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