Alumni Authors

The Book of Good News

by Margaret Krawec (née Hurst, Class of 1984) On first reading this short and well-researched work from an Old Boltonian, in my mind’s eye I found myself back at School. Religious Studies was a favourite subject of mine, one of its greatest advantages being that there will always be new areas to study. There will always be something left to learn, another Biblical hero or anti-hero who we have not considered in depth previously. In short, we can never know everything about our subject, which makes our intellectual journey into faith more fulfilling. Embarking on this book, I found myself racing through a whistle-stop tour of the Old Testament. Thrown out of the Garden of Eden, then quickly through the Torah, I was introduced to Samuel and then David – the contradictions inherent in David’s character, a flawed human being and king, although great musician and writer. The temple is constructed, Queen Ester intercedes for the Jewish people, Job, Psalms and Isaiah and the prophets. The narrative was also peppered with surprising historical facts which kept my interest. A great strength of this work was its inclusion of The Apocrypha, which is often omitted from other works of this kind. In its pages I finally encountered Judith and Susanna, women who overcame oppression and took control, and the story of the Maccabees. The transition to the New Testament is smooth, and Krawec concentrates on the Gospel of Luke. She also emphasises the different treatment by the four gospel writers of Christ’s life. Paul’s letters are examined in their political and historical context. Themes running through the book prevent it sounding like a text book of theology. There is a constant emphasis on the importance of obedience. Evidence of the fulfilment of the words of the Old Testament prophets in the New Testament and the life of Christ is underlined at all stages of the writing. This is an interesting and novel source of information about the scriptures – and a useful reference. Mary Thurston (née Winder, 1977-1984)

The Good Shepherd and The Last Perfect

by Susan Kaberry (née Cox, Class of 1964) Available from Amazon

Have you ever visited Rome and contemplated the mysteries clutched within the Vatican museums? Is the bad rap often given to medieval inquisitors justified? Thanks to archived records dating back 700 years released into the public domain by the Vatican, and translations by Jean Duvernoy, the story of interrogations led by the medieval Bishop Inquisitor, Jacques Fournier, can now be told. By the end of the thirteenth century in the County of Foix a group of Christian dissidents flourished. They held that the church in Rome had become worldly, materialistic, and corrupt. These dissidents were the Cathars who eschewed many of the teachings of Roman Catholicism. The Cathars revered their holy men and women, known as Perfects, so called due to the simple lives they led. Regarded as heretics by the established church in Rome, papally appointed clergy as Inquisitors were charged with preserving orthodox Catholic beliefs and teachings throughout Christendom. Based on Jacques Fournier’s exceptional record-keeping, exposure of the Cathar inquisitions is woven into Susan Kaberry’s compelling narrative, The Good Shepherd and The Last Perfect. This is a fictionalised account of the epic, true story of two Cathars, Pierre Maury (Pedro), the shepherd, and the last Perfect, Guillaume (Guy) Belibaste. ‘When he reached the track that led to his father’s farmhouse, he was gasping for air and his head was spinning.’ The novel begins with a traumatic, heartstopping event which places Guy in a grotesque position. Escorted by two Perfects who are covertly visiting his father, he flees the family home. His path intersects with that of Pedro who ‘felt pushed and pulled in all directions. He loved his family and his loyalty to them was strong’, but Pedro, too, secretly leaves the village to work for his cousin as a shepherd and learn more about the Cathars. Believing that the church in Rome had lost sight of God’s teachings, friends Guy and Pedro are drawn into the world of the Cathars where they find a sense of belonging. Upon learning of the many Cathars subjected to horrific torture at the hands of the Roman church Inquisition, the two men seek shelter in Aragon. Can the Perfect and the shepherd maintain their safety? Will their new-found faith and long-standing friendship survive as the Inquisition becomes increasingly ferocious? A writer with observational flair, Sue Kaberry has plaited a vividly compelling depiction of the consequences of holding beliefs viewed as unorthodox. The plot is gritty and covers an era of dysfunction when tyranny subjugated people. Demonstrating a mastery of historical detail, the novel is worth the time investment. It’s a terrifying insight of mass manipulation and depicts that power in the hands of a few can unleash unspeakable destruction. Sound familiar?

Jacki Waters (Director, Red Literary Agency, and Former Girls’ Division Staff)