Skylighters (1934) by J.B. Morton

Book review by George S: Skylighters is a light comedy about a trio of swindlers who reckon they can make money by starting a new religion. It is by J.B. Morton, who had in 1919 published The Barber of Putney, one of the better early novels about the Great War. By 1934 he was already … Continue reading →

The Bird in the Tree (1940) by Elizabeth Goudge

Book Review by George S: This is the first volume of a trilogy about the Eliot family, set in the autumn of 1938, just a few years before the book was published in 1940. I have to say that of all the books I have read for the Sheffield Hallam group, this is the one … Continue reading →

Out of the Silent Planet (1938), by C S Lewis

Review by Val H., picking up some points about changing attitudes to religion in the recent post Religion in the middle-brow novels by margaretbennett72. I am not sure how old I was – not very, anyway – when I first read C S Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950), but it has … Continue reading →

All Hallows’ Eve by Charles Williams (1945)

All Hallows’ Eve is the last of Williams’ strange, supernatural thrillers and for me it is his most successful, the one in which plot, characterization  and theology  combine most effectively. The book opens vividly with a young woman, Lester Furnival, in an eerily deserted and oddly silent London. She meets her husband, Richard, who retreats … Continue reading →

Religion in the middle-brow novels

One of the recurring themes in the middlebrow novels I have read as part of the Reading 1900-1950 project is religion, church teachings and theological in fighting. It struck me that maybe this is one of the reasons why a lot of these novels are no longer popular. These subjects are of far less interest … Continue reading →

Many Dimensions by Charles Williams (1931)

Book review by George S: Many Dimensions (1931) was reprinted as a green Penguin in 1952; it must be oddest and least typical book ever to appear in that series. The book starts with three men examining a mysterious object:

Men of Mawm by Willie Riley (1921)

I spoke too soon! Here’s one more Riley review. Review by Sylvia D: Men of Mawm is an attractively produced book with line drawings inside the front and back covers and with eight black and white photographs which illustrate the rugged moorland landscapes, the village and the supposed homes of the two main village families … Continue reading →

Laycock of Lonedale by Willie Riley (1924)

Our last Riley, I think. Lots of clear themes emerging as our reviewer, Sue, notes: money can’t buy happiness, right prevailing over might, trust in the Lord, for he shall provide… Review by Sue R: Sam Laycock made his fortune through hard work, promotion and a second marriage to the mill owner’s daughter. His will … Continue reading →

The Bridge by Pamela Frankau (1957)

Review by Kath R: I chose this novel from the pile because it had a photograph of Pamela Frankau on the back looking very intently at the camera smoking a cigarette and looking very much the professional writer. I immediately regretted my choice when I found out from the flyleaf that  it would be about religion … Continue reading →