Ultimate Prizes (by Susan Howatch)

(Amazon UK link)

'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. )