The Lamp of
the WickedMystery fiction set 2000 years ago
Email: margaret | dot | litchfield@ukonline.co.uk
The Lamp of the Wicked - Countryside & Cloister - The Dream of Gerontius - Reviews - Availability - Links
By Marianne Christian. PSALMS FROM THE LORD'S PRAYER
were written as I dwelt on each phrase from the golden prayer taught to us by
Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God.
Free download here as
lordsprayer_psalms.doc (28K). All comments
welcome.
By Marianne Christian. THE PRINCESS is an
easy-to-read story - an allegory of Mary, the mother of God.
Free download
here as princess.doc (56K). All comments
welcome.
By Marianne Christian. PSALMS FROM THE LORD'S PRAYER
were written as I dwelt on each phrase from the golden prayer taught to us by
Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God.
Free download here as
lordsprayer_psalms.doc (28K). All comments
welcome.
The Lamp of
the WickedWhen Melkiah returns to his home on the shores of Lake Galilee in AD33,
after six years' unexplained absence, his daughter Tamar welcomes him joyfully.
Others, however, are disconcerted by his unexpected reappearance, and Melkiah's
friend Joel is soon aware of the danger that threatens them all. When a
neighbour is murdered and the unknown man of violence strikes again and again,
Joel is determined to discover his identity, only to find out too late how
ruthlessly the murderer will act to silence him. All the while a greater evil
is incubating throughout the land as the Jewish religious leaders plot the
death of Jesus of Nazareth, whom thousands of Jews believe to be their
long-awaited Messiah. Marianne Christian's novel is a vivid portrayal of the
times in which Jesus lived, and the people among whom he preached and worked
miracles. Her powerful narrative combines strong characterisation with rich
description to create a gripping story, which brings to life the Holy Land of
two thousand years ago.
ISBN 1871217334
£7.50
Countryside &
CloisterMarie Litchfield was born between the two world wars and describes the
world in which she grew up, her close-knit family and the countryside of
Somerset. She tells of her vocation to the religious life of the Carmelite
Order, the establishment of two monasteries in Yorkshire, and how she was able
to discover more about God in the flora and fauna of the woods and garden. It
is a world far away from the noise of today, with interesting memories of
village and family life in the 1930s and 1940s and life in a
monastery.
ISBN 1871217237
£7.00
The Dream of
GerontiusCardinal Newman's renowned poem describes the death of an old man and the journey of his soul to the judgement seat of God. First published in 1865, it quickly became a best-seller in its field, second only in popularity to Tennyson's In Memoriam.
This new edition of the poem marks the bicentenary of Newman's birth in
1801; it also celebrates the centenary of the first performance in 1900 of
Elgar's choral masterpiece based on the poem. In addition to a foreword by
Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham, there is an introduction by Fr.
Gregory Winterton of the Birmingham Oratory, which Newman founded and where he
lived, worked and preached for more than forty years. Also included are a
section on Elgar's Dream of Gerontius, which rapidly became the most
popular choral work in Britain after Handel's Messiah, and a discography
of currently available recordings of Elgar's Dream.
ISBN
1871217326
£5.00
"A fascinating read" Stephanie Cole (TV Actress)
"If you enjoy historical novels this is a book for you. Marianne Christian has only been to the Holy Land twice on pilgrimage, but she has managed to capture the atmosphere of life beside the Sea of Galilee in AD 33 to a high degree. You remember the American grandmother who started to paint late on in life and became a famous artist? Well, this book has been written late in Ms Christian's life and is a compelling first novel. She also has a strong streak of Agatha Christe or Dorothy Sayers in her, for not only does she write well, but she manages to introduce one murder and two attempted murders into her plot, which are only solved in the final chapter.
"Her descriptions are excellent, her dialogue is convincing. and she handles an extraordinary cast of characters in this intriguing drama with considerable skill. Of course everything hinges around the prophet Jesus who is never actually seen, but who, one way or another, influences the entire dramatis personae. There are three or four miracles in the course of the story, as well as a murder and a couple of attempted ones; but the story is entirely convincing.
"The book ends on Good Friday, and the days following the Crucifixion are briefly referred to. It may not be quite in 'The Robe' class, but it's not far off. A great read for all ages." Martin Blake, Book Reviewer.
Here's an audio clip from the BBC's "Good Morning, Sunday", in MP3 format, 220k.
"This is a book to treasure - simple, direct and refreshing. May all that is written here by one woman about her life's journey increase our steadfastness in our vocation, whether it is similar or very unlike." Sister Wendy Beckett.
"Reading Countryside & Cloister will be one step along a happier road for those who care to make the journey with the author through childhood, to where the reader shares her delight in a solitary clump of sorrel growing beside a hawthorn hedge. A gem of a book, and reading it was to me a mind-enriching experience." Geoffrey Smith.
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All profits from the sale of these books will go the Third World, through CAFOD. |
Within Europe, each book is available direct from Rainbow Books, with the prices above including postage and packing! Please send a cheque in UK pounds, made payable to Margaret Litchfield, to Rainbow Books, 16 Glanfield Close, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, TA4 3BH, England.
If outside Europe, please order from Family Publications, 77 Banbury Rd, Oxford, OX2 6LF, Tel. 01865 514408 (+44 1865 514408 from outside the UK).