Catherine Fox (1) (1961–)

Re-read, because I picked up a paperback in a charity shop to supplement my existing ebook, and then recommended it to somebody else ('if you like what I do, you might like this'). I think this is probably the strongest of the Lindchester books, and it's certainly one that steps on fewer of my personal sore spots. Anyway, it's a huge amount of fun, and painfully well-observed.

Mara is a postgraduate at Durham University, researching women in cults for her Master's -- a topic she's chosen because she had a disturbing experience with a sect which sucked in both her and her twin sister. It quickly becomes evident that she was emotionally frail anyway, but is now deeply scarred, and she's arrived at university determined to stay aloof from her fellow students and to concentrate on her work. Her detachment is read as contempt by those around her, particularly by her show more neighbour in her hall of residence, whom she has immediately named "the polecat". Two of the undergrads, however, May and Maddy, both, like Mara, clergy daughters, refuse to be put off by by her manners, and set out to befriend her. In their wake are clean-cut Rupert and local boy Johnny, both ordinands, both wildly attractive, and the disturbingly insidious Joanna, whose religion is of the charismatic kind. Mara finds herself, albeit against her will, caught up in college life and struggling to maintain the defences she's built to protect herself from further damage.

Does this sound oppressive? Well, it might be, except that Mara is cursed -- for someone who wants to stay angry all the time -- with a sense of humour. She can be disarmed by wit. The story as it unfolds is by turns funny and painful, but always compelling, and even when she's accused of histrionics, Mara's pain is plausible and convincing. Despite her prickliness, though, it's clear to the reader that she is capable of the active process of healing, however reluctantly she embarks on it. The other students both help and hinder, of course.

The intensity of college life is wonderfully depicted against the background of cathedral and castle -- Fox's portrait of the city reminds me a little of Elizabeth Goudge's portrayal of Ely and Wells, perhaps in the way that they both linger on rock and stone, the cathedrals rooted in the earth but soaring upwards. The river runs a constant course through the novel too, while behind the massive city sprawl the industrial wastelands of Johnny's birthplace.

I ache for a sequel to Angels and Men. Fox has written two other books which I'll be reading just as soon as I get my paws on them. Meantime, I shall be busily imagining futures for all the characters... show less

Enjoyable account of Anglican life in a Cathedral city in England written by someone who knows. Its light hearted, witty, quick moving, sensitive on the whole, and takes the church, if not God, seriously. The book is dominated by the homosexual issue; there is one outrageous gay character and others more or less at ease with their situation. The evangelicals are none of them attractive, (we are told who is "good" and its never them). She is happy to refer to Trollope, who also didn't like show more evangelicals, and has Barchester as the neighbouring city.
Good understanding of church life in the suburbs as well as in the Cathedral, and explains the hierarchy for those not in the know, and to me who ought to know. Sensitive to country side and nice nature writing. Might be worth checking the next in the series. show less

Acts and Omissions by Catherine Fox from SPCK Publishing is set in the fictional diocese of Lindchester. It follows the lives of the clergy and those whose lives are tied up with them through a year of their life. All life, all colour, all flovours of the church are characters here. There is plenty of romance, will they/won't they and the stuff of life and ministry.

The story is very firmly rooted in the Church of England and it's life and practices, but having been a Minister in a cathedral show more town, I recognize the characters and the life of a Cathedral Close.

It is interesting to have a novel set so firmly in church culture and happenings, probably not something you would find anywhere else. It is not a parody or assumption of what goes off among the lives of clergy, as mush fiction that involves the church is, but from someone who knows. That shows through ans I am grateful for the honesty of it. It goes a long way to showing that the lives of the clergy are quite normal, and not as rarefied as those outside seem to think.

I was slightly uncomfortable about the 'Is or isn't the Bishop gay?' theme that runs through much of the book. Having their sexuality questioned and gossiped about is a reality that so many have to live with, and is very painful; but maybe that is the point of raising it - to make people think.

All in all, it is an enjoyable story of real, human, rounded characters, with all their failings and foibles - with some real moments of hope and healing. show less