Book Notes: "The Dean's Watch", by Elizabeth Goudge

"The Dean's Watch", by Elizabeth Goudge, is a historical novel set in a cathedral city and, as such, it reminded me very much of Susan Howatch's Starbridge series. 

But Goudge is so much warmer, so much truer, so much more joyful.

You can read my commonplace entry for some quotations that might give you an idea of Goudge's style, but here's a short summary of the plot: 

Mr. Peabody is a watchmaker who has scratched together a creative and satisfying work life while still suffering the depression and spiritual terror that is the legacy of his abusive father. The Dean is a powerful, intelligent, and yet socially shy man who serves God with dedication while lacking (or denying himself) the human connection he craves. Miss Montague is a disabled old woman who has learned how to love, and so changes almost everyone she meets. These cathedral town denizens -- and many more beautifully drawn characters -- all interact in a drama of pain and redemption and sorrow and joy.

I loved this book. 

I have to start with that, because anything else would be less than honest. I didn't know Christian fiction could do this. I didn't know it could be this honest, this real -- and by that I mean that it could be this truthful both about the weird, twisted ways sin hampers and distorts us, while also being gloriously, beautifully honest about the transforming, transporting love of God.

The characters are recognizable. Sometimes even painfully so. Goudge's portraits of unhappy families, and the ways they are unhappy, are so true to life. The big and the tiny things that keep us separated from each other. The ways that we long for each other but just cannot get past ourselves.

The way God sometimes helps us to get past ourselves anyway.

I loved the Dean and his earnest, courageous courtesy. I loved Miss Montague and her endurance.

And for their sakes I even loved the poor Mr. and Miss Peabody.

There were a few weird details that reminded me that I was reading a book from a different time and place, but that's to be expected when you're reading an author who isn't looking through the lens of your own cultural concerns.

But that's the only sour note I can think of, and it isn't even that sour. This is just a spectacular book. I read it slowly, and savored it, because every time I opened it, I felt like I had walked outside into the fresh, rain-washed air. I borrowed it from the library, but I don't think I was even halfway through before I ordered my own copy. It was that good.

Go read it! And be refreshed.

Peace of Christ to you,
Jessica Snell

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