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Title: Absolute Truths

Author: Susan Howatch

Narrator: Robert Whitfield

Format: Unabridged

Length: 20 hrs and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-15-08

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 59 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Charles Ashworth, the bishop of Starbridge, is a man of great accomplishment, confidence, and conviction, with a reputation as a no-nonsense bishop - until his beloved wife dies. Bereavement overwhelming his spiritual equilibrium, his strict morality is quickly revealed to him to be nothing more than a facade. Spiralling downwards, Ashworth knows he must find his way out of the maze of his own psyche. In doing so, he must face the absolute truths - both good and bad - of his past that may be the only keys to his future.

©1994 Leaftree Limited (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews:

"Howatch simultaneously provides her listener with both marvelous entertainment and genuine insight into the human condition. Highly recommended." (Library Journal)"This work again displays Howatch's ability to meld an involving, character-driven story with a larger theme, that of spiritual quest and fulfillment." (

Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Magical Writing

This is my first attempt in my current plan to listen to all of these books that I can find in audio format this year. I have, for no logical reason started with the last book. (!) It's a variation of the old "Read the Last Page of the Book Syndrome."

Audible has Glamorous Powers, Mystical Paths and Scandalous Risks as well as this one available. I plan to buy one each month. Glimmering Images and Ultimate Prizes are available at outrageous prices in cassette tape format. I think I will pass on them but I will reread them in book format.

I re-read these books every once in a while. I am always amazed at how much I am attracted to these books because they are not the kind of books that generally appeal to me. I think it's the writing. Susan Howatch is a magical writer. I don't really like the characters in these books or am in sympathy with the things they do. But the honesty of these people's faith and the fact that they really really try to be good Christians comes shining through. It's almost enough to restore one's faith in Christianity.

The last is the best of the series

In a series that I really, really liked, this is the the best book. It is not often that the last book in a series is the best, but in this case it is. Unfortunately you cannot read the last book as a stand alone novel and get the entire weight of the book. You can read it as a stand alone book. But because these books are all narrataed by a single character, you will not get the understanding of the other characters that are detailed in the prior books.

In this book Charles Ashworth, the original protagonist at the beginning of the series, takes up his life in the 1960s. He is now Bishop of Starbridge. His two boys are now on their own. He and his wife Lyle get along better than in most of their marriage (and they realize that having an empty nest is a good thing.) On the negative side, Neville (enemy would be too strong, but they do not get along) is the Dean of the Cathedral and somewhat independent of Charles' authority. His spiritual director and friend is aging and probably near death. It is at this point that Charles' third major life crisis occurs and he is totally unprepared to deal with it.

I like Charles much more in this book than the first. I understand his lostness here more than in the first book. It is not a break with reality as much as a crisis of faith.