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Calling
CALLING is a novel about 21st century alternative spirituality. Visions, divine guidance, magic, pilgrimage - all of these are ancient religious themes. What happens when they break into the life of a modern, urban, non-religious young woman? CALLING's main character is drawn into a magical new world of intense encounters which inspire her. However, she also has to meet challenges, which represent a rite of passage for this late twenty-something into a greater maturity and stronger sense of her place in the universe.
492 pages, Paperback
First published August 19, 2010
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April 30, 2024
A compelling, unpredictable journey into a world of spirituality and mystery.
Published in 2012 Calling is, I believe, Chris Maunder’s debut novel, although already known as an academic writer. This title brings a wealth of academic knowledge and a creative instinct together in a compelling story about a modern day spiritual journey. Shortly after her 29th birthday, Frances Dryburgh is starting to question her life. Single, in a dead end job and fast approaching thirty, this is not how Frances had expected her life to have turned out, so when Nathan, an attractive young man walks into her local pub, Frances is more than willing to meet him again. However, this chance encounter leads Frances deeper and deeper into a world of spiritual exploration and a journey that could transform her life in ways she never expected.
In Calling, Chris Maunder has taken ancient religious themes of magic, visions, pilgrimage, death and rebirth and transferred them into modern day urban Leeds. Frances is a fairly ordinary young woman who has led an unremarkable life. Through Nathan and his unlikely friends, Debs and Jose, Frances’ horizons expand far beyond her life in Leeds and she dares to believe in the extraordinary as she learns more about witchcraft, modern paganism and the Virgin Mary. Frances’ journey holds challenges and even danger along the way.
Maunder has crafted a narrative that is compelling and unpredictable. Indeed, even for the author the storyline was not entirely known nor predictable, since Maunder actually used divination to decide certain directions for the story. Personally, coming from a fairly orthodox background, I found the idea of divination in the writing process actually challenged me a little. Having said that, I feel that the uncertainty of the plot and Frances’ future, made this a particularly engrossing story. Through most of the story, for me, it felt as though everything was unfolding at the same time as for Frances and I was guessing as to what might happen next.
Whilst unpredictable, Calling has a storyline that flows smoothly and the pace seems to change with the narrative. All of the characters are well thought out and suitably developed. As the protagonist Frances’ character is well developed and the reader gets to understand her, feel for her, and hope for her future. Nathan’s character is mostly developed in relation to Frances, however, that seems deliberate since he is the means for her to look beyond her day to day existance. It’s worth mentioning that some of the speech and all of Frances’ thoughts in the text are in Yorkshire dialect (I appreciated this and felt that it enhanced the feel of the story and Frances’ identity, however, I’m aware that some readers aren’t as keen on regional dialects). Overall, Calling is a fantastic read and I would definitely recommend it, especially to readers who have an interest in spirituality and religious experiences.
Published in 2012 Calling is, I believe, Chris Maunder’s debut novel, although already known as an academic writer. This title brings a wealth of academic knowledge and a creative instinct together in a compelling story about a modern day spiritual journey. Shortly after her 29th birthday, Frances Dryburgh is starting to question her life. Single, in a dead end job and fast approaching thirty, this is not how Frances had expected her life to have turned out, so when Nathan, an attractive young man walks into her local pub, Frances is more than willing to meet him again. However, this chance encounter leads Frances deeper and deeper into a world of spiritual exploration and a journey that could transform her life in ways she never expected.
In Calling, Chris Maunder has taken ancient religious themes of magic, visions, pilgrimage, death and rebirth and transferred them into modern day urban Leeds. Frances is a fairly ordinary young woman who has led an unremarkable life. Through Nathan and his unlikely friends, Debs and Jose, Frances’ horizons expand far beyond her life in Leeds and she dares to believe in the extraordinary as she learns more about witchcraft, modern paganism and the Virgin Mary. Frances’ journey holds challenges and even danger along the way.
Maunder has crafted a narrative that is compelling and unpredictable. Indeed, even for the author the storyline was not entirely known nor predictable, since Maunder actually used divination to decide certain directions for the story. Personally, coming from a fairly orthodox background, I found the idea of divination in the writing process actually challenged me a little. Having said that, I feel that the uncertainty of the plot and Frances’ future, made this a particularly engrossing story. Through most of the story, for me, it felt as though everything was unfolding at the same time as for Frances and I was guessing as to what might happen next.
Whilst unpredictable, Calling has a storyline that flows smoothly and the pace seems to change with the narrative. All of the characters are well thought out and suitably developed. As the protagonist Frances’ character is well developed and the reader gets to understand her, feel for her, and hope for her future. Nathan’s character is mostly developed in relation to Frances, however, that seems deliberate since he is the means for her to look beyond her day to day existance. It’s worth mentioning that some of the speech and all of Frances’ thoughts in the text are in Yorkshire dialect (I appreciated this and felt that it enhanced the feel of the story and Frances’ identity, however, I’m aware that some readers aren’t as keen on regional dialects). Overall, Calling is a fantastic read and I would definitely recommend it, especially to readers who have an interest in spirituality and religious experiences.
Displaying 1 of 1 review