Move over, Barchester Chronicles. Catherine Fox has given us our very own 21st century edition. Not only does she know the dear Church of England from intimate life experience, she draws its characters with sharp accuracy and (best of all) tender compassion, understanding and humour. Brilliant writing. She is able to tackle even the most touchy and difficult issues in the church with a gentle insight and hopefulness, at the same time never coyly she's even quite racy! I hope she lives a very long life and never stops writing. Paperback This book was recommended for a class. It was a fun read. Definitely easier to find the humor in some of the references if you are familiar with England and the CofE. It's a modern day Barchester. The author has a couple of devices that are perhaps overused, but overall I enjoyed this introduction to Catherine Fox's work. Paperback A sympathetic, and often very very funny, view of a set of characters whose lives intersect working in or near a fictional cathedral. Fox has some of the wry wit and sensitivity of Anthony Trollope. Anyone who likes fiction about the English church that doesn't take itself too seriously although she has some serious things to say about sexuality will probably find this an enjoyable and very quick read. Paperback Love this book from beginning to end. Different style to the three earlier novels I also adored, but such style, such naughtiness, such grace! For anyone who’s been involved in church life (not necessarily C of E), you may see yourself or someone you know or at very least, recognise the characters’ dilemmas and empathise with their very human reactions. I’m buying the sequel immediately! Paperback This book was recommended to me by a Irish Anglican Priest via Facebook last fall. Since then Catherine Fox has become a favorite author. Sympathy for the foibles of the C and E and its minions wars with snarky irreverence and an astute understanding of character, judgement, and grace. Paperback
Read Acts and Omissions: Lindchester Chronicles 1
Deeply Anglican and perfectly delightful! Paperback I have to confess that I found her earlier series accessible because I struggled a bit with the authorial voice in this book, which sometimes felt very arch. That said, I loved her descriptions of Lulu the elderly Labrador, and I laughed out loud at her depiction of the septuagenarian choristers struggling with the Yoy, Yippee!s of the Cowboy Carol, which has to be one of the most unfortunate hybrids of English and American festive music ever written. I also loved the gentle allusions to lines from hymns and prayers, which assume an insider's ability to decipher her beautifully crafted and intelligent prose, and draw the reader into the complexities of the story without bludgeoning.
However, as an Anglican latecomer myself, I'd really like to preserve the illusion that the Church of England is less fundamentally self serving and self interested than the church that emerges from this book. The only way Freddie gets away with his appalling behaviour time and again is not because he is someone in dire need of rescuing but because he is handsome and charming and he also has a wonderful voice that everyone associated with the cathedral thinks should be employed in the Church's service. It's tempting to think that they wouldn't be nearly so active on behalf of someone equally self destructive but not talented and therefore not a long term badge of honour.
Dare I say that that makes the C of E sound incorrigibly British and middle class? Maybe that's partly true, but it's not very attractive, and it's an image that some Anglicans would prefer to play down. Paperback I got bored 1/2 way through and didn't finish it. Paperback Fun read. Interesting insight into Anglican Church operation but even fun watching the antics. Paperback provided that (a) you like its cynical style, riddled with quotations and (b) that you understand the complexities of the twenty first century Church of England. The author does seek, as far as she is able, to explain the anomalous, confusing, complex and sometimes plain inexplicable aspects of the English version of the Christian Church. All the recent controversies and issues that currently vex the C of E are brought into the story and there is a broad palette of characters, not all of whom are directly involved in the life of Lindchester Cathedral. If you are not a churchgoer you may find this a very entertaining story, but if you are a non Anglican, you might be baffled by parts of the story. If I may inject a small note of criticism is that the reader cannot identify with any single individual or group in the story. But I personally enjoyed reading it very much and have already purchased the sequel. Paperback
The Bishop of Lindchester is happily married with four daughters. But does he have a secret? Archdeacon Matt is inclined to think not. That said, it's obvious to him that Bishop Paul's got a pretty big bee in his mitre about the brilliant but troubled Freddie May. Welcome to the fictional Diocese of Lindchester, where you will be taken (dear reader) on a yearlong romp in the company of bishops, priests and lay people. Prepare yourself for a bumpy and hilarious ride from the rarefied heights of the Cathedral Close down to the coalface of ordinary urban and rural parishes. Acts and Omissions reveals the Church of England in all its mess and glory. It is a world shot through with grace, but one where even the best intentioned err and stray. And occasionally do those things which they ought not to have done. Acts and Omissions: Lindchester Chronicles 1
