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Absolute Truths Audiobook
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(4.01) - 642 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
It is 1965, and Charles Ashworth has attained the plum position of bishop of Starbridge, an honor that keeps him in a heady whirl of activity that would exhaust the most seasoned corporate executive. With the invaluable support of his minions and his attractive, unsinkable wife, Ashworth stands against the amorality and decadence of the age—"Anti-Sex Ashworth." He slays his opponents by being a tough, efficient, confident churchman, the torments of his past long since dead and buried.
But when Ashworth's beloved wife dies, a profound crisis of his faith begins unexpectedly and with brutal force. As bereavement overwhelms his spiritual equilibrium, suddenly Ashworth finds himself staring into the chasm of all the lies he's been telling himself for years: about his marriage, his children, even his views on the church. And as he suspects his old nemesis and dean, Neville Aysgarth, of drinking too much, of financial chicanery, of—God forbid—having an affair, Ashworth discovers to his horror that he is tempted to commit the very acts that he has so publicly denounced.
Spiraling downwards, Ashworth knows he must find his way out of the maze of his own psyche. In doing so, he will face the most difficult spiritual test of his life: to acknowledge the absolute truths—both good and bad—that have shaped his past, and that may be the only keys to his future.
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"i just re-read this book, the final book in a six book series about the Church of England. susan howatch takes theology and brings it to life through fiction, and the combination of her witty style and deep ideas makes it such a satisfying read for me. this time, i really wanted to re-read this one because its' main point is romans 8:28 - all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purposes. i would definitely recommend reading this book. start with the first one in the series though and work your way through. i think it's richer that way."
— Bernice (5 out of 5 stars)
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“A skillful blend of character, philosophy and narrative…Formidable personalities embroil themselves in ruthless power struggles that would make a corporate raider blush.”
— Washington Post Book World -
“A powerful combination of psychological insight, theological depth, and storytelling ability. Howatch simultaneously provides her reader with both marvelous entertainment and genuine insight into the human condition. Highly recommended.”
— Library Journal -
“There are hints of Trollope, hints of C. S. Lewis in these pages, but nowhere else does one discover the distinctive genius of Anglican theology—intelligent, commonsensical, optimistic—so movingly wrapped in the heartbreaking dramas of husbands, wives, fathers, children, and spiritual guides.”
— Booklist
Absolute Truths Listener Reviews
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" Excellent end to this series. I will greatly miss these characters! "
— Becky, 2/17/2014 -
" See review of Glittering Images. "
— Lindsay, 1/5/2014 -
" Such true-to-life, in-depth characters are expressed in her writing. Real people with complex emotions and relationships. Lots of dialogue and personal reflections throughout the book. "
— Anna, 12/25/2013 -
" I could hardly put this down. Howatch weaves a lot of insights into human nature and spirtual struggles into this tale. "
— Nancy, 12/19/2013 -
" Reference my review for Glittering Images "
— Jo, 12/17/2013 -
" I enjoyed this series very much. "
— Susan, 12/14/2013 -
" read for class & didn't like it "
— Sherry, 12/4/2013 -
" The follow on to the Book - Glittering Image. Charles Ashworth is now a Bishop. The book deals with the very real struggles within the Church in the 60's. These are issues that the church is still dealing with. "
— Polly, 12/1/2013 -
" A powerful end to this series. I love the characters of Charles and Lyle Ashworth. "
— Alison, 9/20/2013 -
" I really liked this book. At first I didn't think I would be interested but by the end I was devouring it!! I definitly want to read the others. "
— Lisa, 8/31/2013 -
" Some will find this a little 'preachy' much of the time, but I enjoyed it. How else does one deal with big issues of guilt and grief and despair? Main characters grew up far faster than in real life. "
— Evan, 5/20/2013 -
" Part of Howatch's excellent Church of England series. These are particularly interesting because of the way in which she includes main figures from previous books into the current one. "
— Linda, 1/24/2013 -
" The last and bests book in the series. "
— Erin, 1/3/2013 -
" Starbridge 6 or St. Benet's 1. "
— Isabel, 12/5/2012 -
" Intelligent Christian fiction and no I am not making that up. The Church of England series is EXCELLENT! "
— Naomi, 11/17/2012 -
" This is the book that ties it all together. I try to reread the "Starbridge" series once a year. While set in various decades of the 20th century, the characters resound into the 21st. Great detail, great story and lots and lots of depth. Can't recommend the entire series highly enough. "
— Diane, 5/14/2012 -
" I found this just as gripping as the others I've read. I like the first person narrative and the way the narrator's bias comes through. "
— Rachel, 7/15/2011 -
" I enjoyed this series very much. "
— Susan, 3/14/2011 -
" A powerful end to this series. I love the characters of Charles and Lyle Ashworth. "
— Alison, 10/20/2010 -
" I could hardly put this down. Howatch weaves a lot of insights into human nature and spirtual struggles into this tale. "
— Nancy, 4/10/2010 -
" Excellent end to this series. I will greatly miss these characters! "
— Becky, 2/9/2010 -
" The follow on to the Book - Glittering Image. Charles Ashworth is now a Bishop. The book deals with the very real struggles within the Church in the 60's. These are issues that the church is still dealing with. "
— Polly, 12/7/2009 -
" Reference my review for Glittering Images "
— Jo, 7/17/2009 -
" Starbridge 6 or St. Benet's 1. "
— Isabel, 3/15/2009 -
" Foregoing a long review let me just say this: This series is profoundly and addictingly good. I am sorry that it is over--I feel as though I have lost friends?!!-- and I am looking forward to picking it back up in a few years. "
— Dustin, 2/3/2009 -
" Some will find this a little 'preachy' much of the time, but I enjoyed it. How else does one deal with big issues of guilt and grief and despair? Main characters grew up far faster than in real life. "
— Evan, 12/21/2008 -
" Part of Howatch's excellent Church of England series. These are particularly interesting because of the way in which she includes main figures from previous books into the current one. "
— Linda, 8/4/2008
About Susan Howatch
Susan Howatch is a British novelist who has penned bestselling mysteries, family sagas, and other novels. Howatch was born in Surrey, England. She began writing as a teen and published her first book when she moved to the United States in 1964. Howatch found global success first with her five sagas and then with her novels about the Church of England in the twentieth century. She has now returned to live in Surrey.
About Simon Vance
Simon Vance (a.k.a. Robert Whitfield) is an award-winning actor and narrator. He has earned more than fifty Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration thirteen times. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and has been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009. He has narrated more than eight hundred audiobooks over almost thirty years, beginning when he was a radio newsreader for the BBC in London. He is also an actor who has appeared on both stage and television.