Angels and Men

Angels and Men by Catherine Fox, published by Penguin in 1997, is a novel that follows Mara Johns, a parson’s daughter who arrives as a postgraduate student in a northern cathedral city. Fiercely independent and antagonistic toward the church, Mara initially repels friendly overtures as she seeks spiritual answers through her theological research. However, her past involvement with an extreme sect complicates her academic pursuits, forcing her to confront both her history and the persistent friendships that begin to form around her.

As Mara navigates her new environment, she gradually opens up to her would-be friends, Maddy and May, while also clashing with a challenging figure known as the ‘polecat.’ The narrative explores themes of friendship and the complexities of personal relationships, particularly as Mara finds herself torn between two suitors who are both ordinands, despite her vow never to marry a vicar. This edition, comprising 373 pages, delves into the intricacies of Mara’s journey as she learns to rely on her new friends amidst the upheaval of her carefully controlled life.