"Glittering Images" by Susan Howatch

This is the best, most thorough, and balanced account I've read or heard of on inner healing / healing of the emotions or soul.  It reminded me in many ways of the healing God's done in my own life.  Not for the faint-hearted, for sure!  A very honest, insightful look at the complexities of life.  It would be helpful to have at least a basic understanding of the Church of England, not just as a denomination, but as a culture unto itself, and how it is an embedded, inherent part of everyday life in England.  It's the first book in the "Church of England" series, and I'm looking forward to the other 5 books!

There are many memorable characters in the book, including:

Charles Ashworth

• "To think of Christianity as a dream is to ignore its reality, although perhaps what you're really saying is that the finest lives express man's yearning for transcendent values.  That's real enough--but just listen to me!  Trust a theologian to make the nobler aspirations of humanity sound as dry as dust!"

Eric Ashworth, Charles' father

• "Your mother and I have been talking things over and we take your point so there's no need for you to be upset any more--and no need to keep shouting that you love us.  Very embarrassing, that.  Bad form."

Bishop Jardine

• "Dr. Ashworth, I'm beginning to think your prolonged silence has an ominous quality.  I hope you're not thinking I should be burnt at the stake."

Jonathan Darrow

• That's a very powerful myth in our culture and a myth which can produce extremely unhealthy results.  Which is better: to express grief and pain by using tear-ducts specially created for the purpose or to express grief and pain by enduring a silent secret haemorrhage of the soul?"