The Very Rev. Dr. Ian Markham & The Rev. Ann Gillespie

The Author: Susan HowatchBorn in the United Kingdom, Surrey in 1940Married an American and became a writerHer first novel, The Dark Shore, was published in

1965In 1976, having separated from her husband, she

moved to IrelandPrior to the Starbridge series, Penmarric (set in

Cornwall’s Tin Mines) was the same basic model – narrated through different perceptions of family

The Starbridge series was part of her growing love of the church

Current series was conceived in Salisbury, but she currently lives near Westminister Abbey in London

Introduction to the Starbridge seriesThe books:

Glittering Images, 1987 Glamorous Powers, 1988 Ultimate Prizes, 1989 Scandalous Risks, 1990 Mystical Powers, 1992 Absolute Truths, 1994

Three Howatch PatriarchsAshworth: Conservative Traditionalist Middle Way churchmanship Upper Class, Studied Theology at Oxford The Devil = real, at work in the world, must be stopped

Darrow: Monastic Mystic Anglo-Catholic, but connecting through the spirit with the church as a whole Classless The Devil = the Great Pollutant

Aysgarth: Liberal Modernist Protestant Working class, Studied the Great Philosophers at Cambridge on scholarship The Devil = disintegrated personality which separates one from God

First and Second Trilogies

1st Trilogy: Set in the 1930s and 40s One book is narrated by each of the three patriarchs. Each main character is stripped down and turned inside out, so that the… reader knows them better than anyone else can and the reader is in the position of being God.

2nd Trilogy: Set in the 1960s Scandalous Risks, first one Patriarchs interact with younger generation Effects of legacy revealed Final scenes of last book – all generations stand together at last in harmony

Howatch’s Intentions, Literary TechniquesEach book is designed to be read on its own,

More books = Multi-dimensional realityExample of Jon DarrowRespect for Clergy – Real PeopleHer metanoia/ love for ChristianityHowatch theology of sinChristian progression: sin, repentance, forgiveness,

redemption, resurrection, renewal.

Historical Inspiration Each book is inspired by a real historical theologian or

clergy clergyperson. Sometimes the thoughts of this real person are put into the mouths of her characters. But more often, she uses real quotes from the real people to begin each chapter and frame each section of the books.

For you Anglican history buffs, here’s who they are: GI: Herbert Hensley Henson (1863-1947)GP: William Ralph Inge (1890-1954)UP: Charles Earl Raven (1885-1964)SR: John Arthur Thomas Robinson (1919-1983) MP: Christopher Bryant, SSJE & Jungian Pscyhologist

(1905-1985) AT: Austin Farrer (1904-1968)

Women of StarbridgeStarbridge series mostly written and set before

C of E Ordination of Women(1992)Per mom – role for women in the church, non-

institutional , wives, secretaries– erotic attraction of damaged women to male clergy

Venetia, only female Starbridge narrator, hangs around edges of church, bored with slots for society women, loves discussing theology

Her childhood friend, Primrose Aysgarth, becomes advocate for Women’s Ordination

Scandalous RisksSet in 1963The Honest to God controversy is the back dropVenetia Flaxton, a daughter of the aristocracy,

gets involved with the Dean of Starbridge Cathedral

Norman Neville Aysgarth (mother called him Neville and wife called him Stephen) was a close friend of Venetia’s Father

The novel describes the gradual attraction between Neville and Venetia

Scandalous Risks Part TwoEndless lettersWeekly meetingsSome sexual intimacyBackdrop: a conservative Bishop dictating a

book attacking liberal theology; a liberal Dean arguing that this expression of love is a gift to him; a sculpture commissioned which might be pornographic; and the ripples around other key characters (Dido – married to the Dean, Eddie – the canon who tries to rescue Venetia).

Faith and Brokenness “The experience of the holy always involves trembling.”

Sam Keen, in Hymns to an Unknown God:

Awakening the Spirit in Everyday Life

Brokenness in HowatchBrokenness in ClergyNecessity for Brokenness to Develop FaithParker Palmer, Rollo May, Frederick Buechner, Jean

Houston, Buggy/Spencer, Susan HowatchNext Howatch series – Venetia, now in late 50’s,

alcoholic and lost, sobers up as she gets healing through Nick Darrow’s Center, goes off to Cambridge to study Theology. Hallelujah!

Faith, Doubt and EthicsA crucial hook is the Honest to God book by John

Robinson.Drawing on Paul Tillich, God was no longer ‘out

there’ but better understood as the ‘Ground of our Being’

Drawing on Joseph Fletcher and ‘Situation Ethics’ defends the new morality that stresses the centrality of love rather than rules in any given situation

Book explores the possibility that often ‘liberal theology’ suggests a compromised ethic and is an excuse for inappropriate behavior.

Tying It All Together

Romans 8: “and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.”

... all things intermingle for good to them that love God!