A short story of a man who is completely unsuited to his job. Sad and wistful, but somewhat hopeful. I’m beginning to love Oliphant as an author. She doesn’t shy away from portraying people in all their complicated and messy reality. ( )

Margaret Oliphant gives readers a second glimpse of the English town of Carlingford in a short story about a new rector who experiences a growing awareness of his unfitness for his duties. It isn’t due to any moral failure. It’s just that the rector is so introverted and shy that he is unable to effectively carry out his pastoral duties. In some ways, it’s uncomfortable for readers who feel the rector’s shame, yet Oliphant ends his story on a hopeful note. ( )

Perfectly pleasant, but basically an extended short story, not even novella-length, so far as I can tell (trickier to do on an e-reader). I enjoyed the words and the sentences, but plot and character didn't have room for much development. I will try some longer and later works.

(Note: 5 stars = rare and amazing, 4 = quite good book, 3 = a decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. There are a lot of 4s and 3s in the world!) ( )

This very short back story sets the stage for other books in the Carlingford Chronicles and was originally published with The Doctor's Family. It provides important background for Oliphant's The Perpetual Curate.
A short, fun read. Quote: "...no use arguing with them under such circumstances. She watched him as women often do watch men, waiting till the creature shold come to itself and might be spoken to." ( )