Susan Howatch

Date of Birth: July 14, 1940

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Biography

Susan Howatch is a British author, renowned for her intricate and deeply psychological novels that often explore themes of religion, morality, and the human condition. Born on July 14, 1940, in Leatherhead, Surrey, England, Howatch grew up during the tumultuous times of World War II. She pursued her higher education at King’s College London, graduating with a degree in law in 1961. Howatch’s literary career began in the late 1960s, and she achieved her first significant success with the publication of “Penmarric” in 1971, a sweeping family saga set in Cornwall. She continued to write bestsellers throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including “Cashelmara” and “The Wheel of Fortune.” However, it was her six-volume “Starbridge” series, starting with “Glittering Images” in 1987, that solidified her reputation as a writer of profound depth and insight. The series delves into the intricacies of the Anglican Church and its clergy, reflecting Howatch’s own spiritual journey and conversion to Christianity. In the 1990s, Howatch shifted her focus to the “St. Benet’s” trilogy, which further explored spiritual and psychological themes. Her work has been praised for its rich character development, meticulous research, and the ability to weave complex narratives that resonate with readers on multiple levels.

5 Interesting Facts about Susan Howatch

1. Susan Howatch’s “Starbridge” series is based on the history of the Church of England in the 20th century and reflects her own spiritual journey.

2. Howatch donated a substantial portion of her book royalties to establish the Starbridge Lecturer in Natural Sciences and Theology at Cambridge University.

3. Before becoming a full-time writer, Susan Howatch worked as a secretary in a law firm.

4. She moved to the United States in the 1970s and lived in New York City, where she wrote many of her best-known works.

5. Howatch returned to the UK in the early 1980s, settling in Salisbury, near the historic Salisbury Cathedral, which inspired much of her later work.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Susan Howatch

1. “I write to discover what I think. After all, the bars aren’t open that early.”

2. “Fiction is a lie, and good fiction is the truth inside the lie.”

3. “The novelist’s job is to say the unsayable – to reveal, through the exploration of the human heart, those truths which society prefers to ignore.”

4. “Faith is the continuation of reason.”

5. “What’s important is that I have a sense of meaning and purpose in my life and that I feel useful.”