The Shadow of Your Wings

by Tim Bairstow

“The Society” – Book One Sent to a monastery in the North of England as preparation for the priesthood, the handsome young Felix struggles to reconcile his sense of calling with his passionate attraction to and growing love for the devastatingly attractive Jonas. As Felix gradually opens himself up to the possibility of love in his life, his mentor Jack, an older priest in the community, succumbs to his own obsessive love for Felix. Jack’s overwhelming need of Felix and the impossibility of its fulfilment has devastating consequences. “A thought-provoking, beautifully written and highly descriptive novel, which left me still reflecting on it for some while after I'd finished it. Tender, darkly comic and yet tragic too.” "There are plenty of really well written sex scenes, a beautifully unfolding love story and a wonderfully realised cast of minor characters from the monks to the motley and fascinating clientele of the local gay sauna. What more can I say, this book has everything that I look for in a novel." "There are strong central themes of love, sacrifice, sexual and spiritual yearning and the novel also deals sensitively with the issue of older people grieving their lost youth and possibility."

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 10, 2013

About the author

Born and bred in the wilds of West Yorkshire, England; I studied History at Oxford University and Theology at the University of Leeds in the late eighties and early nineties. I've been writing stories ever since I could pick up a pen and am passionately interested in documenting the experience of gay people in a manner that goes beyond the all too often very metropolitan, youth based, niche culture that is often the face that the gay community presents to the world. I enjoy exploring the ordinary, everyday lives of gay people in a society that still is equivocal about fully accepting them. I confess that I'm not too interested in lives lived within a 'bubble' of those who are all the same.

As an historian and a theologian I am currently fascinated by the dynamic between faith and sexuality and, in particular, the consequences rather than the causes of the Christian Church's current stance on the question of gay rights. Two of my novels: "The Shadow of Your Wings" and "Cloven Tongues" deal with these themes. You might also like "What Do You Want for Christmas?" a coming of age story set in the North of England in the late 1980's, which has had excellent reviews. I am thrilled with my latest release: "A Nightingale in the Sycamore". It deals with first love and forever love and the enduring power of love. So far, it's going down very well!

You can find out more about me, read more about the books and follow my blog at www.timbairstow.com I can also be contacted via the website. I'm always happy to hear from readers and I always reply!

I live and work very happily in the North West of England with my partner who is a professional musician and broadcaster. I suppose we should have cats but we don't; I'm allergic to them!

Reviews

[J. James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took me a little while to get into the book mainly because of the amount of reference to religious terminology (which as a Catholic were familiar to me) and because I found myself being judgmental about the priests as they were coming across as a little perverted. However, overall I really enjoyed the story. I grew to love the characters and became more sympathetic to the struggles many of them faced. Although I was never a priest I guess the denial and deceit elements were familiar. Part of me longed for stronger sex scenes and yet part of me hoped the other did not go there as the tone of the book would have been spoilt. I think the other got it just right. I found the book touching and romantic although the pace was a little uneven at times. There were a few minor editing errors but as a writer myself I appreciate this is somewhat an issue unless you have an outstanding editor.
The last quarter of the book had me gripped which is always a sign of a good book. I knew what was coming (don't want to add a spoiler here) but was not sure which character(s) would be involved.
I will most certainly be looking out for other titles by this author. I think the religious context may put some readers off but I would urge them to see beyond this and delve into the complex relationships and emotions that are portrayed instead.