- Hardcover: 403 pages
- Publisher: Knopf (Oct 26 1988)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0394571452
- ISBN-13: 978-0394571454
- Product Dimensions: 23.9 x 16.3 x 4.1 cm
- Shipping Weight: 907 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,415,624 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Jon Darrow is the Anglican priest and abbot with a charismatic presence and psychic abilities who figured in a small but memorable way in Howatch's Glittering Images , to which this is a sequel. Darrow's "glamorous powers" are both a blessing and a curse: he is subject to intense visions which may come directly from Godor from the Devil. Set during the early years of WW II, and told in the first person, the narrative appropriately holds the reader spellbound by the hints and gradual revelation of Darrow's character. The novel opens with a vision that Darrow interprets as God's instruction to leave his religious order and return to serve Him in the world. But he is forced to work with his superior, an old enemy, to ascertain whether this was indeed a true vision from God, and he finds himself revealing more and more of his life and motivations. When he does leave, the strain of the upheaval and the subsequent events provoke an intense spiritual crisis and breakdown; but this signals the collapse of the spiritually arrogant, intellectually superior persona that Jon Darrow had created to protect himself from the pain of being. In this witty, wise novel, the question, "Does God exist?" is always understood and, true to life, ambiguously answered. Howatch assures her readers that a third novel, about a peripheral but minor character here, is on its way. 75,000 first printing; BOMC alternate .
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
'Glamorous Powers is a brave and welcome new direction for Susan Howatch to take' Observer 'An intriguing and wholly involving story' New York Times Book Review 'This novel marks a remarkable departure for Susan Howatch' Today 'Howatch writes thrillers of the heart and mind ! everything in a Howatch novel cuts close to the bone and is of vital concern' New Woman 'A mesmerising storyteller' Daily Telegraph 'One of the most original novelists writing today' Cosmopolitan 'She is a deft storyteller, and her writing has depth, grace and pace' Sunday Times
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining, Thought Provoking, Inspiring, and Enlightening,
By A Customer
This review is from: Glamorous Powers (Mass Market Paperback)
When Susan Howatch's Church of England Series was recommended to me, the first book to fall into my hands was Glamorous Powers. I read it three times; once just for the captivating story she wove; a second time with the dictionary; and a third time to meditate on the psychology and theology. Few books have made such a profound impression, reaching beyond entertaining to mentally challenging and spiritually inspiring. This book and the rest in the Church of England series (I have read all seven) are unique in modern literature, grappling boldly and convincingly with the deepest concepts of faith through the most entertaining medium of master storytelling told by one of the best. I highly recommend every book in this series. Each is entertaining. Each is a study of hope in the face of despair. Each is a mystery skillfully unraveled. Most I have read more than once, but Glamorous Powers, by a narrow margin, continues to be my favorite. This book is a bargain at any price; this author, a treasure.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
the best of thr lot,
By Sharon Maas (smaas@btinternet.com) (England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Glamorous Powers (Mass Market Paperback)
The second in the series of Starbridge books - Glamorous Powers - is the one I liked the best. IN this book we get to know Jon Darrow, who figured in the first volume Glittering Images as Charles Ashworth's spiritual director, more intimately. Whereas in Glamorous powers, seen through Charles Ashworth's eyes, he was the perfect super priest who knew everything, here we actually get under Jon's skin and see him as he sees himself: as a flawed, confused man with many problems, in particular concerning his relationship with women. Jon had spent several years in a monastery as a monk, but now, in his sixties, he receives a calling from God to leave the monastery and fulfil a mission in the world - but he doesn't know what. Nor is he certain if that mission includes marriage.For anyone with an interest in Gnosticism and mysticism, this is a particularly interesting book - but such an interest is definitely not a pre-condition for reading and enjoying it! I'm not the only Howatch reader to have this as their favourite in the series. (...)
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The church from the inside out,
By
This review is from: Glamorous Powers (Mass Market Paperback)
Susan Howatch may be a woman with training in the law, but she gets inside the mindset of male priests in the Anglican Church (Episcopal Church in the U.S.) better than anyone else. This is a mystery, a suspense novel, a love story and a deeply psychological look at spiritual direction all rolled into one. The book begins with a man having a vision of a small country chantry (chapel). Outside the chapel is a unique suitcase. Is this god telling him to pack his bags and leave the monastary he has known for so many years? After intense spiritual direction, that I found riveting, he decides to leave. He goes on holiday, and while walking down the hall of the inn he is at, he see the suitcase of his vision! He has to meet the owner of the valise. She turns out to be a beautiful woman (much younger than himself). Will love ensue? What is god's will? This book will encourage you to consider the power of prayer and god's direction for your life. It will call you to wrestle with the possibility of healing and evil. This book began my love affair with each of the books in the "Starbridge" series. It could be the start of something special for you, too.
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