Glittering Images

A Novel

By Susan Howatch | Publisher: Random House Publishing Group

About the book

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The first in Susan Howatch's acclaimed novels centering on the glorious Cathedral of Starbridge, Glittering Images is a masterful depiction of spiritual hubris, the seductions of power, and the moral dilemmas of England between the wars.

“Passionately eloquent . . . [A] tale of God, sex, love, self-analysis and forgiveness . . . The dialogue throughout this book is brilliantly crisp.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer

It is the 1930s, and Charles Ashworth is dispatched by the Archbishop of Canterbury to learn the truth about the flamboyant Bishop of Starbridge, Adam Alexander Jardine, and his mousy wife. Do Jardine's outspoken denouncements of the Anglican Church's strict divorce laws have a personal motive? When he meets the cool and beautiful Lyle Christie, Mrs. Jardine's companion, Ashworth believes they do. But as he struggles to understand the strange relationships in the household, Ashworth ceases to be an innocent, objective observer. Slowly, he too is drawn into the secret drama that is being played out in the shadow of the cathedral, a drama that he could never have foreseen.

Praise for Glittering Images

“A terrific story . . . Glittering Images is driven by passion, emotional and spiritual, and its spiritual antagonists are brilliant characters.”—San Jose Mercury News

“She may well be the Anthony Trollope of the 20th century.”—Andrew Greeley, The Washington Post

“Bold and exciting.”—Los Angeles Times

Editions of Glittering Images

Hardcover
ISBN 9780517685112
Hardcover
ISBN 9780394562063
Paperback
ISBN 9780449214367
Paperback
ISBN 9780449909805
EBook
ISBN 9780307775917

Read an Excerpt

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The first in Susan Howatch's acclaimed novels centering on the glorious Cathedral of Starbridge, Glittering Images is a masterful depiction of spiritual hubris, the seductions of power, and the moral dilemmas of England between the wars.

“Passionately eloquent . . . [A] tale of God, sex, love, self-analysis and forgiveness . . . The dialogue throughout this book is brilliantly crisp.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer

It is the 1930s, and Charles Ashworth is dispatched by the Archbishop of Canterbury to learn the truth about the flamboyant Bishop of Starbridge, Adam Alexander Jardine, and his mousy wife. Do Jardine's outspoken denouncements of the Anglican Church's strict divorce laws have a personal motive? When he meets the cool and beautiful Lyle Christie, Mrs. Jardine's companion, Ashworth believes they do. But as he struggles to understand the strange relationships in the household, Ashworth ceases to be an innocent, objective observer. Slowly, he too is drawn into the secret drama that is being played out in the shadow of the cathedral, a drama that he could never have foreseen.

Praise for Glittering Images

“A terrific story . . . Glittering Images is driven by passion, emotional and spiritual, and its spiritual antagonists are brilliant characters.”—San Jose Mercury News

“She may well be the Anthony Trollope of the 20th century.”—Andrew Greeley, The Washington Post

“Bold and exciting.”—Los Angeles Times

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Glittering Images about?

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The first in Susan Howatch's acclaimed novels centering on the glorious Cathedral of Starbridge, Glittering Images is a masterful depiction of spiritual hubris, the seductions of power, and the moral dilemmas of England between the wars.

“Passionately eloquent . . . [A] tale of God, sex, love, self-analysis and forgiveness . . . The dialogue throughout this book is brilliantly crisp.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer

It is the 1930s, and Charles Ashworth is dispatched by the Archbishop of Canterbury to learn the truth about the flamboyant Bishop of Starbridge, Adam Alexander Jardine, and his mousy wife. Do Jardine's outspoken denouncements of the Anglican Church's strict divorce laws have a personal motive? When he meets the cool and beautiful Lyle Christie, Mrs. Jardine's companion, Ashworth believes they do. But as he struggles to understand the strange relationships in the household, Ashworth ceases to be an innocent, objective observer. Slowly, he too is drawn into the secret drama that is being played out in the shadow of the cathedral, a drama that he could never have foreseen.

Praise for Glittering Images

“A terrific story . . . Glittering Images is driven by passion, emotional and spiritual, and its spiritual antagonists are brilliant characters.”—San Jose Mercury News

“She may well be the Anthony Trollope of the 20th century.”—Andrew Greeley, The Washington Post

“Bold and exciting.”—Los Angeles Times

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Glittering Images?

Fiction > Historical fiction

Where can I read a sample of Glittering Images?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780517685112

Is Glittering Images part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series Starbridge

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Glittering Images?

Susan Howatch

Who is the Publisher of the book Glittering Images?

Random House Publishing Group

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Glittering Images is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780517685112) and hardcover(ISBN 9780394562063) and paperback(ISBN 9780449214367) and paperback(ISBN 9780449909805) and ebook(ISBN 9780307775917)

Where can I buy Glittering Images online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Glittering Images from below

Where can I buy Glittering Images?