Although this novel tackles some important and all too relevant issues it does so in such a lacklustre way, with one-dimensional characters (more like caricatures in many instances) and stilted dialogue, that it failed to engage me and I ended up skim-reading it. I don’t feel I lost anything by this approach as it was all very predictable. The two main themes are to what extent can we separate art from its maker, however reprehensible the actions of the artist might be (think Eric Gill) and child sexual abuse within the church. These are both well-worn themes and this book brings nothing new or original to the table. Everything is dealt with superficially with no real sense of jeopardy. It’s all been dealt with before and much more effectively. I found the writing alarmingly dull and pedestrian, with any attempts at humour usually missing the mark. A lost opportunity to write something insightful and thought-provoking.

I have to say that I struggled with this. I have read some of Michael Arditti's books before, but I never felt engaged with this at all. Timely and important in subject matter, but I just could not get interested in the characters - and given that this is a very character-driven book, that was an issue.

3 stars only.Perhaps others will find more to like.

(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.)

I don't think I enjoyed The Choice very much, due to the subject matter.

Almost everyone in the book was abusive, or being abused or handwaving and condoning that abuse. I don't subscribe to the idea that if a person does good in one area of their life (like art, or bellringing) that therefore the harm they cause in another area (like in their appalling treatment of other humans) can somehow be balanced or discounted. Everyone also seemed very quick to assume that an accuser was lying or ill or in some way misunderstood what happened to them. The constant apologias and dismissals made me end up feeling grubby.

If you're interested in the moral questions surrounding this topic, I can recommend Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma by Claire Dederer.

2.5 stars for me, rounded up to 3.

I was interested to see that one commentator had likened the author to Iris Murdoch whose books I devoured in the 1980s, a period which provides the backdrop for part of this novel.

Michael Arditti is certainly not afraid to tackle moral issues from a Christian standpoint- his main character, Clarissa is a bishop's daughter, thwarted at first in her ambition to join the clergy, but later ordained in the Church of England.

He also charts the very different reactions and actions of people faced with cases of adults with sexual feelings towards minors and the abuse of power in regard to those "relationships".

Clarissa is a complex character, mired in a messy marriage, with an impossible teenage son. While others view the world in very starkly clearcut ways, she is full of dilemmas, almost paralysed by a desire to look at at a variety of views and work out all the angles.

This is not easy reading. It is, or should be, thought-provoking, although I suspect some will simply find it too uncomfortable.

Recommended.

I'm sorry to say that this novel was excruciatingly dull and badly written. I read 130 pages before I gave up. None of the characters were interesting, engaging, sympathetic. It assumed knowledge of the Church of England I don't have so it was also obscure. It's an important topic though so I was sad that it was just so pedestrian. So, a DNF from me. Apologies, I hate to do this but there are better books out there for me to read.

Rather like the curate’s egg, ‘The Choice’ is good in part. At the outset, Michael Arditti presents the reader with a moral dilemma: after coming across them in the bell tower, should rector Clarissa Phipps report bellringer Brian, husband of her closest friend, for grooming the now besotted fifteen year old David, one of her son’s closest mates? Well, of course she should, whatever the fallout. This is 2023. Thus, it’s not this particular choice that makes the reader think and query but, mainly, those that have been made in the past that are explored over the course of the novel.
Clarissa presents as a contemporary Barbara Pym character. She is an intelligent woman with a wicked sense of humour, as seen when she replies to listeners’ correspondence in her early days of BBC religious broadcasting: ‘…there has been no attempt by the BBC to suppress the story of the Angel Gabriel’s visitation to your aunt in May 1981. The Radio Norfolk reporter who followed up your initial approach, concluded that the anecdotal evidence was insufficient to warrant further investigation. I return the feather, which I trust will remain a treasured family heirloom.’ Over the course of the novel we learn that she has made some strange choices in order that her marriage may survive. She has also ignored the ‘eccentric’ character traits of those whom she’s worked with to others’ peril. Now she has to face up to the harm that’s been done.
When the novel turns with increasing focus on the ecclesiastical artist, Seward Wemlock, and his strange beliefs, the narrative drive falters. Clarissa deliberates: ‘Has he used his beliefs to validate his actions? Or have his actions determined his beliefs? At one level, I don’t much care. It is so clear that Wemlock is a paedophile dressing up his desires as philosophy. What is more interesting is that everyone chooses to ignore the obvious as they are so enamoured of his artistic genius.
Towards the end of the novel, Clarissa makes some important more choices – and she seems to be moving in a better direction. However, I’m not entirely convinced that someone of her integrity and determination couldn’t have made them some time earlier.
My thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books, Arcadia Books for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

i have not dnf’d a book in over 2 years but you know what? this’ll do it. made it 30% before i simply could not take it anymore. i am done here.

i’m all for some moral ambiguity and an exploration of choices, right and wrong etc. just maybe not when it comes to child abused and abusing positions of power in religious institutions. big yikes.