The Crystal Fishbowl

Anna Westover had no idea at seventeen, still grief-strickenfrom the loss of her grandmother, and back living with her horrible family,that Victor Spofford, a young charismatic Baptist preacher, would be the wrong choice, the worst choice. On hergrandmothers insistence shed refused to even date the boy shedalways loved, simply because he wasnt Baptist.Annas wedding was a dream; her new life in western Massachusetts a wondrouschallengeuntil mysterious letters began to arrive. Then Victor changed . . . or was it that he finally revealed his true nature? No one would believe thathe abused her. He never hitat least not intentionally. And as the preacherswife, she could confide in no one.To others, he was gorgeous, enlightened and dynamic. He knewthe perfect words to give comfort or guidance. He brought scores of sinners tothe Lord with his woeful childhood tales. Who was she but his meek wife, lovelyyet subdued, who sat in her accustomed front-row pew each Sunday morning,gazing up at him in adoration?He was always sorry later: crying, begging forgiveness. Andshe wanted to believe him. He was so pitiful in his sorrow. But after he losthis job and they returned to New Hampshire, her hopes are firmly and completelycrushed when another letter arrives, and she uncovers his lies. Desperate forcomfort, she turns to another man. Then the violence escalates and she musttake a stand.

Anna Westover had no idea at seventeen, still grief-strickenfrom the loss of her grandmother, and back living with her horrible familythat Victor Spofford, a young charismatic Baptist preacher, would be the wrong choice, the worst choice. On hergrandmothers insistence shed refused to even date the boy shedalways loved, simply because he wasnt Baptist.Annas wedding was a dream; her new life in western Massachusetts a wondrouschallengeuntil mysterious letters began to arrive. Then Victor changed . . .or was it that he finally revealed his true nature? No one would believe thathe abused her. He never hitat least not intentionally. And as the preacherswife, she could confide in no one.To others, he was gorgeous, enlightened and dynamic. He knewthe perfect words to give comfort or guidance. He brought scores of sinners tothe Lord with his woeful childhood tales. Who was she but his meek wife, lovelyyet subdued, who sat in her accustomed front-row pew each Sunday morninggazing up at him in adoration?He was always sorry later: crying, begging forgiveness. Andshe wanted to believe him. He was so pitiful in his sorrow. But after he losthis job and they returned to NewHampshire, her hopes are firmly and completelycrushed when another letter arrives, and she uncovers his lies. Desperate forcomfort, she turns to another man. Then the violence escalates and she musttake a stand.