'The Courtyard' is a light modern novel by Marcia Willett. I have been enjoying her books very much since I discovered her. They are gentle family or character-based novels, exactly the kind of thing I like.
Gussie and Nell are the two main characters in this story. They make friends unexpectedly in a tea-shop. Their lives are fated to intertwine from then on.
Gussie's young cousin Henry has converted his stable block into cottages, and they are amongst the first residents. Romances develop and friendships grow. The reader is caught up in the hopes and fears of the people as they face the recession.
The writing is good, the pace just right, and there's a satisfactory conclusion.
Recommended.
(I wrote a longer review of 'The Courtyard' on re-reading eight years later)
'A New Song' is a light American novel by Jan Karon, and is chronologically sixth in the popular 'Mitford' series.
Father Tim, now retired, is invited to fill a temporary minister's slot some distance from home. He and his wife move there, and are immediately embroiled in the various characters of their new congregation.
However their friends in Mitford haven't forgotten them, and there is plenty of action as they try to resolve the conflicting demands of old and new friends.
I thought this a relaxing and refreshing book, which is best read after at least some of the others in the series. The earlier books are: At Home in Mitford, A Light in the Window, A Common Life, Those High Green Hills and Out to Canaan.
Recommended.
(I wrote a slightly longer review of 'A New Song' after I re-read it just under six years later.)
'Absolute Truths' is a novel by Susan Howatch. It's the sixth and last book in the Starbridge series.
This story is told from the point of view of Charles Ashworth. He is now the Bishop of Starbridge, in the 1960s. The battles he has faced in previous books come to a head, as he is faced with a life-changing crisis. His relationship with his sons is explored, along with his long-time enmity towards the Dean, Neville Asygarth.
Although each of these novels is complete in itself, they are most powerful and thought-provoking when read in the intended order. This one ties together the entire series, mirroring the first one (also narrated by Charles Ashworth). It answers some questions left open in some of the earlier books, too.
Excellent writing, fast-paced and with great characterisation. There's a truly satisfying ending which slots all the pieces into place.
Compelling reading: very highly recommended!
The first five books in the series are: Glittering Images, Glamorous Powers, Ultimate Prizes, Scandalous Risks, and Mystical Paths.
'Mystical Paths' is the fifth novel in the Starbridge series by Susan Howatch.
The story follows the young adulthood of Nick Darrow in the 1960s. He is an independent - and often confused - young man who is about to be ordained as an Anglican minister.
Like the others in the series, this is a book full of realistic people having problems in relationships. This one is set in the 20th century's most permissive era, with a background of promiscuity and experimentation with drugs.
Powerful emotions run high. Unhealthy parent-child relationships are explored and finally healed.
Highly recommended.
'Mystical Paths' stands alone, but is best read after the previous four in the series: Glittering Images, Glamorous Powers, Ultimate Prizes and Scandalous Risks.
'Scandalous Risks' is a novel by Susan Howatch. It's fourth in the Starbridge series, which features flawed (but mostly delightful) clergymen in the Anglican Church.
This story is told from the point of view of a young woman called Venetia. She was introduced as a small girl in the previous book ('Ultimate Prizes'). In this one, she falls in love with Neville Asygarth, the Dean, in the 1960s. It was the era when the Church was coming to terms with a revolutionary new book 'Honest to God', and the ideals of platonic love.
The developing relationship is explored. But there are also plots and sub-plots involving characters from the previous books, including a now 83-year-old Jon Darrow.
Can be read alone, but it's much better following the three previous books in the series.
Highly recommended.
(I have also written considerably longer reviews of this book after subsequent re-readings. I wrote this review of 'Scandalous Risks' in 2007, and this one in 2017.)
'Boundaries' is an interesting book by the American Christian writer Henry Cloud.
It describes how a significant part of people's anger and resentment is due to insufficient setting of boundaries with other people. It explains what boundaries are, and how to establish them.
The book also shows various ways that people's boundaries are violated. It also gives particular styles of relating that can cause problems.
I thought it was well-written and could be of use to people who have difficulty establishing boundaries. I didn't find much that was relevant to me, but thought it interesting to read anyway.
Recommended if this kind of thing interests you.
'Julia's Last Hope' is a light Christian historical novel by Janette Oke.
The small American town of Cedar Springs is dying, as the lumber mill closes down. A young woman called Julia, who lives in a lovely home, suggests turning it into a tourist town.
With the help of her twin daughters, she starts advertising and taking in boarders. She encourages the few remaining families to stock a craft shop and host other visitors.
The characterisation is good, as I've come to expect with Janette Oke's writing, and the story is well-written, with the right kind of pace for my tastes.
There is a strong Christian message of home, as well as a sense of finding God's will as the story ends. This novel is probably intended for teenage girls, but makes a pleasant evening's reading for anyone who wants a light and uplifting moral novel.
Recommended.
'Act of Faith' is a moving modern novel by Erica James.
Ali and Eliot lost their toddler son Isaac a couple of years before this novel begins. The book opens at his graveside, and reveals the antagonism they have both developed since their son's death.
Gradually they begin to come to terms with the tragedy, partly helped by Ali's friend Sarah. Ali, meanwhile, tries to help Sarah with her fundamentalist and rigid husband Trevor.
I felt this was a bit deeper than other books by this author. The writing is nicely paced, and there is high emotion in places.
Recommended.
(I also wrote a rather longer review of 'Act of Faith' after I re-read it fifteen years later)
'The heart of the wilderness' is a light Christian novel for teenagers or adults. It's by the popular Canadian author Janette Oke.
It's about a young girl called Kandra. She is tragically orphaned, and goes to live with her grandfather. He is a trapper in the backwoods of the United States.
Kandra grows up secure and confident. She is educated at home, and knows that she is loved. She emerges into the adult world to learn about God, and about other people.
I thought this book made a pleasant light read. There's a clear Christian message, but it's presented without too much preaching.
Recommended.
'Raising your spirited child' is an excellent book, in my view. It describes children who, as it explains, are intense, perceptive and sensitive. The author, Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, is positive and encouraging about these children, many of whom don't fit in with their parents' or teachers' expectations.
She also give ways of helping such children to cope, when life overwhelms them. I thought it was a very interesting book, and a somewhat different point of view. There is lots of good advice. The focus is not on discipline, but more on understanding these children who don't fit neatly into a behavioural box.
I would highly recommend this book for any parents with young or pre-teen children, even if they don't think they fall into this 'spirited' category. It would be good reading for teachers too, or anyone else involved in working with children.
'Ultimate Prizes' is a novel by Susan Howatch, and is the third in the Starbridge series. Sequel to Glittering Images and Glamorous Powers.
This story is written from the perspective of Neville Aysgarth. He is a fictional Archdeacon in the Anglican Church during the 1940s.
It's very cleverly written. Neville isn't a particularly appealing character - yet the story is still gripping. Neville's habit of 'ringing down the curtain' on all unpleasantness has led to so much repression that he approaches a nervous breakdown in the midst of various crises.
The story unfolds as his life hits rock-bottom. He has to learn to face his pain before slowly re-forming his life, and finding a measure of healing.
I thought this book believable, if a tad dramatic in places. There are some interesting digressions into the theological debates of the time, as well as attitudes to World War II, Nazis and pacifism.
I didn't find this book quite as enjoyable as the first two. But I still thought it very readable and thought-provoking.
Highly recommended.
(I wrote a couple of longer reviews of this novel after I re-read it subsequently. I wrote this review of 'Ultimate Prizes' in 2007, and this review in 2017. )
'Glamorous Powers' is a novel by Susan Howatch. It is the second in the Starbridge series, set in the early part of the 20th century.
This is a brilliant psychological novel featuring Jon Darrow. He is a high Anglican monk who was introduced in the first book of the series, 'Glittering Images'.
Jon receives a vision and believes he is called to leave the monastic life, to follow God's will in the wider world. Although this book is complete in itself, it's much better when read as a sequel, because we see the stunning contrast between this uncertain man and the secure, confident Jon who was spiritual director to Charles Ashworth.
In this novel, written from Jon's perspective, we realise that he has plenty of insecurities and hangups. They are gradually revealed over the course of one of the best books I can remember reading for a long time.
Jon's healing takes place alongside a wide variety of realistic people. I thought it absolutely wonderful. I was almost totally unable to put this book down once I had started.
Highly recommended.
(See also: my longer review of Glamorous Powers written in 2007)
'Not that sort of girl' is a novel by Mary Wesley.
It mainly features a woman called Rose. We meet her when she is staying at a hotel after her husband's funeral. As she does so, she reflects on her past life.
Rose remembers the side of her life that everyone else saw. But she also thinks about her secret life and thoughts. There are some clever and effective flashbacks which alternate with the present, gradually building up a well-rounded character and an interesting story.
Rose decides what her future will hold, in what I considered a hopeful ending.
The people are believable, and the writing is good. On the whole I liked the book. But there is rather too much bad language for my tastes, so I would only recommend it with that proviso.
I really like Adrian Plass. Of all the current Christian authors, he's definitely amongst my top five. Number one amongst the Brits, only rivalled by the American Philip Yancey for thought-provoking and well-written, enjoyable books.
This is a collection of short stories and allegories by Adrian Plass. There's a Christian message underlying them all, and on the whole I enjoyed them. The style is excellent, as I've come to expect from Plass.
However... I have to admit that some of the stories were slightly too cryptic for me. Thus the meaning, at times, wasn't entirely clear. But perhaps they will all become clearer on re-reading, something I will undoubtedly do at some point in the future.
Certainly this is worth reading for any other Adrian Plass fans. But it's probably not the best way to begin reading this author's work.
(Note: I did indeed re-read it, though not until sixteen years later. This is a link to my longer review of 'The Final Boundary' which I wrote after re-reading the book.)
I'd never heard of Jean Bendell before. I can't find anything about her online, but she was evidently a pioneer in her time. Her book 'School's Out' makes that clear.
This is a very well-written and interesting account of a home educating family in the UK. It was in the early days of what we now think of as home education. In other words, the era when parents started taking full responsibility for their children's education, rather than using either a school or a governess or tutor.
Some legal information is included, though it's not all current. There is also plenty of advice and suggestions. Inevitably some of the content is a bit out of date now, but I still thought it well worth reading.
Definitely recommended.
Every so often I pick up a children's book for a very light read, with no emotion or deep thought necessary. One of the Bagthorpe saga books by Helen Cresswell is usually a good choice.
There are about nine volumes in this series. It features a crazy (but almost believable) family where several of the children are very talented. Or, if not talented, they think themselves so.
'Bagthorpes unlimited' is about a few crazy days in the Bagthorpe household. A family reunion is planned, with their supposedly saintly cousins. Then all the family decide they would like to be famous, in various ways...
Although it stands alone, it's rather easier to understand if you've read some of the previous books in the series, as they're quite similar.
Enjoyable, in a light-kiddie-read kind of way.
'Jack Mercybright' is a historical novel by Mary Pearce. It's the second book in the 'Apple Tree' saga.
This story set in the countryside. Jack finds a new position and falls in love. His days are followed with believable farming situations, and I found it fairly readable. But the plot is minimal and time progresses too fast for continuity.
It's probably a realistic view of country life at the end of the 19th century. But I didn't find myself emotionally involved at all. I skimmed somewhat, and found it all too easy to put down. The ending seemed rather vague, too.
Not really recommended.
