Scandalous Risks is a religious drama by English author Susan Howatch. The book contains quotes from a book "Honest
to God" by John A.T. Robinson, Suffragon Bishop of Woolwich.
The 26 year old Venetia Flaxton, quite unattractive and what one might call, a social wall-flower, is confused by her religious faith. The year is 1963. One evening Venetia suddenly realizes that she is hopelessly in love with long time family friend, the Archdeacon of Starbridge. She is obviously in love with the wrong person for all reasons. The Archdeacon Aysgarth is her father's best friend, her best friend's father, older by 35 years, and, married. The story goes that Venetia's feelings for Aysgarth are reciprocated. So begins their hopeless and tormented love affair.
The plot regarding Venetia and Aysgarth's romance is painfully slow – hundreds of pages to the realization of love, many more pages for their first sexual encounter, and lots more pages to discover there is never a consummation of their love affair.
The book is suitable for readers who want to delve into discussions about the philosophy of religion, as well as those who might want to pursue interest in the church life, behind the scenes politics between the clerical people, bishops, archdeacons, canon, among others.