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    The Hardest Thing to Do
    The Hardest Thing to Do
    The Hardest Thing to Do
    Ebook277 pages3 hours

    The Hardest Thing to Do

    By Penelope Wilcock

    3.5/5

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    About this ebook

    This latest in Wilcock’s The Hawk and the Dove series takes readers into the world of a fourteenth-century monastery struggling to forgive an old enemy seeking refuge. 

    The first of three sequels to the celebrated The Hawk and the Dove trilogy takes place one year after the end of the third book, in the early fourteenth century. A peaceful monastery is enjoying its new abbot, who is taking the place of Father Peregrine, when an old enemy arrives seeking refuge. Reluctantly taking in Prior William, the upended community must address old fears and bitterness while warily seeking reconciliation. But can they really trust Prior William? 

    In her fourth book in the series, Penelope Wilcock wrestles with the difficulties of forgiveness and the cautions of building trust. Taking the form of journal entries, her story will delight the imaginations of readers captivated by a time and place far distant from our current world. Her timeless themes, however, will challenge our prejudices today as we, along with her characters, are forced to ask ourselves, “What is the hardest thing to do?”

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLion Fiction
    Release dateJul 17, 2015
    ISBN9781782641490
    The Hardest Thing to Do
    Author

    Penelope Wilcock

    Pen Wilcock is the author of The Hawk and the Dove series and many other books such as In Celebration of Simplicity and 100 Stand-Alone Bible Studies. She has many years of experience as a Methodist minister and has worked as a hospice and school chaplain. She has five adult daughters and lives in Hastings, East Sussex. She writes a successful blog: Kindred of the Quiet Way.

    Read more from Penelope Wilcock

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    Reviews for The Hardest Thing to Do

    3.5/5

    130 ratings57 reviews

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    • 5/5
      This is book 4 of The Hawk and the Dove series. I believe this is my favorite, so far. While I miss Father Peregrine, I enjoyed reading about the new abbot and the problem he encounters right away, having to deal with a difficult man who has been encountered once before in a previous book. I liked the way the chapters were laid out also, one chapter for each day of Lent. One of the things I enjoyed in this book was the feeling of what goes on daily at the monastery. I "felt" the setting more in this book than the others. The message is strong, as Wilcock does in all of these books.
    • 5/5
      Title: The Hardest Thing to Do (The Hawk & The Dove Volume 4)Author: Penelope WilcockPages: 256Year: 2015Publisher: Lion FictionThe brothers of St. Alcuin’s are back in this fourth book, preparing for the new abbot’s return. Brother John is now the Abbot and has returned after a year’s training in Cambridge to take up the position of leader of St. Alcuin’s. He doesn’t feel up to the task of filling Father Peregrine’s shoes. As he begins his service, he is overwhelmed with the details and never-ending duties of his office. He still has the heart of a healer and sometimes wonders if he has made the right decision is becoming abbot.In addition to all his new responsibilities, an enemy of Father Peregrine’s shows up at the doorstep of the monastery seeking admittance. This throws the brotherhood into division as to how to proceed with this newcomer in their midst. Some want to refuse him admittance while others plead to show mercy and the love of Christ to him. Can the brothers come to a uniform decision or will this be a splinter that continues to fester until the infection spreads unchecked.I would recommend reading the series in order from the beginning before reading this fourth book. I have enjoyed this series tremendously. The writing evokes emotions and touches the heart. I can’t imagine having less in common with monks in medieval England, but their emotional and spiritual struggles ring true to me in this day and age. The author writes with great depth and has researched well her topic. I feel as if I’m right there in the monastery with the monks, living life with them daily. Readers will see humor in some characters, legalism in some and great compassion and mercy by showing the love of Christ in others. This series is definitely on my “keeper” shelf and I hope it will be on your shelf as well!My rating is 5 stars.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
    • 4/5
      Each successive book that I read in Penelope Wilcock’s series, The Hawk And The Dove, is my favorite. The quiet, yet powerful books that detail 14th century monastic life are truly treasures. In the fourth book of the series, The Hardest Thing to Do, the community is turned on its head when a hated and hateful Augustinian prior arrives seeking sanctuary. The brothers find that often the hardest thing to do is the most critical.The community of St. Alcuin is in a transition period. As they enter the Lenten season, they await the return of Brother John, the former infirmarian who will take over as abbott. Winter still has a hold over northern England, but the promise of Spring is a whisper of hope to their souls. The deprivation and denial of Lent also brings forth spiritual fruit and growth. Abbott John is soon tested in his new obedience when faced with the turmoil that erupts following Father William’s arrival.The phrase the hardest thing to do is repeated throughout this book. The monks face it when trying to live in peace in a community with diverse attitudes and temperaments. They find it in mundane activities as well as in the spiritual realm. There is an underlying theme of forgiveness and mercy that is well-suited to the season of Lent and the monk’s preparations for the Easter feast. I love how Wilcock takes the unfamiliar lives of 14th century monks and makes them relevant for modern day believers. The book reinforces the message of community in Scripture — the truth that we are of one body and every member is important no matter his role. I also liked that forgiveness is depicted in a realistic way — a hard thing for those who must give it as well as for those who receive. Beloved characters from previous books make an appearance as well as new who add to the diversity and vitality of the monastery of St. Alcuin.It is not necessary to have read the first 3 books in the series to enjoy The Hardest Thing to Do, but I would recommend that you do. The series is wonderful; you need the full experience. You can check out my reviews of the first 3 books HERE.Highly Recommended.Audience: adults.(Thanks to Kregel and Lion Hudson for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
    • 4/5
      I was re-reading The Peacemaker by Ken Sande of Peacemaker Ministries when I received Penelope Wilcock’s new book, The Hardest Thing To Do, in the mail. What a lovely (and convicting) serendipity! Ms. Wilcock’s new installment in the saga of the monks of St. Alcuin’s Abbey is a long time in coming. The original trilogy of books about St. Alcuin’s and Father Peregrine its abbot began with The Hawk and the Dove and continued in The Wounds of God and The Long Fall. These three books were published by Crossway in the early 1990’s.Now we have a fourth book in the series, twenty years later, and it lives up to the fine standard set by the other three. In The Hardest Thing To Do, St. Alcuin’s has a new abbott, Father John, but the brothers are still serving each other and the same Lord, still living quiet, peaceable lives, still striving to practice the rule of St. Benedict in a fallen world. And of course, as is the way of this world, the brothers have a new challenge when they must decide what to do with a human “wolf” who has come into the sheepfold and who threatens to spoil both their peace and their way of life.In The Hardest Thing To Do, Ms. Wilcock has dropped the framing story that she used in at least the first book of The Hawk and the Dove trilogy. In that first book, a mother was telling stories about the abbey of St. Alcuin’s to her daughters who were experiencing some of the same growing pains as the monks. The part of the novels that is most memorable, however, is the story of the monks themselves, so it was a good move to drop the frame and concentrate on the abbey.I was concerned that this sequel, twenty years later, might not live up to the quality and depth of the first three books in the series, but I needn’t have worried. Ms. Wilcock, a Methodist minister, has a fine grasp of human foibles and sin and peace-making and the cost of following Christ in our interpersonal relationships. The book is about radical, costly forgiveness, and it doesn’t sugarcoat the difficulties of such a choice to forgive our enemies. Forgiveness and reconciliation in the face of real hurt truly are the hardest things to do.Asking for forgiveness:I am filled with terror lest you turn me away. I long for the beautiful Gospel that has always puzzled me, but that I know has a beacon in the life of this house. For the forgiveness and gentleness I have found, I should like the chance to show my gratitude. For the hurt and anger I have caused, I should like time to try and make amends. And I have glimpsed the face of Christ here. Before that glimpse dims and is smutched and bleared by the sordid life of the world, I should like to try if I might to touch for myself the vision of that fair loveliness. . . compassion . . . faith . . . peace.I would pray that all of us could be enabled to do the hard work of forgiving and asking and receiving forgiveness because it’s the only way to true heart peace
    • 5/5
      I was surprised how easy this book was to get into. The settings and characters were interesting and keep you drawn in. I wasn't sure what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. I am now looking for the other books in the series so that I will know and understand more. I believe that without the other books, if you are interested in monasteries, that this book is the one for you.
    • 2/5
      Recently, there was a kidnapping of a small boy in British Columbia. Miraculously, the boy was returned unharmed. It almost never turns out that well. Imagine - especially if you are a parent - that someone has abducted your child. We all know how these real life stories usually end. Could you forgive the abductor? As I will explain, while reading this book, I could not help but thing about this case, and others like it in recent years.The Hardest Thing To Do, by Penelope Wilcock is set in a medieval monastery. It chronicles the daily lives, and conflicts among, a community of monks and an outsider, the abbot of a neighbouring monastery who had been cruel to a former abbot.The most interesting aspect of the book is the description of the monks' daily activities, and the authentic Latin prayers sprinkled here and there throughout the text. Unfortunately, the tale itself is somewhat less than gripping, and the characters seemed, to me, to be rather flat. It is unfortunate because, the story as a whole seeks to impart an important message. Throughout, the author suggests that the 'hardest thing to do" is something different for each man. However, the overall message seems to be that the thing that is truly the "hardest thing to do" is to forgive.
    • 5/5
      "The Hardest Thing to Do" is a wonderful medieval mystery. Father John is a compelling protagonist, and his relationships with others is what drives this novel. I highly recommend this book if you love mysteries (think Brother Cadfael) or are interested in the Catholic church.
    • 4/5
      Set in 14th-century England, in a monastery which until recently was headed by a most beloved man, Father John is overwhelmed and humbled by his new responsibilities as abbot. He has served in the infirmary for many years before becoming abbot, and so has cultivated the attributes of kindness and mercy more than most men. He will need both as a man from another monastery, one known for its cruelty and arrogance, has fled from his burnt-out monastery and the hatred of the community to find asylum in their walls. The difficulty lies in the fact that that man, William, and Father Peregrine were enemies. William had humiliated Father Peregrine and used him to assert his selfish will. Now he is needing to ask for mercy from those who love the good Father but he has yet to shed his pride and arrogance. Can the good brothers find a way to forgive him and extend mercy to him?Written in a gently spiritual way, with interesting characters, this book will appeal to those who like books such as Jan Karon's Mitford series. It is deceptively short, being only 245 pages long but requiring more time to read because of thought-provoking comments. There is no rushing through this book!
    • 2/5
      I’m a newcomer to this series, and I think that has been my greatest downfall in trying to read it. I’ve jumped into the middle of a series before and been fine, but this was just too hard to get into. There are many characters, and I had a hard time latching onto the qualities that distinguished them from one another. As an enthusiast of historical fiction and religious fiction, I was looking forward to this book, but the writing itself didn’t take me to the intended setting. I have considered revisiting this because so many other reviewers have enjoyed it, but it will be a while before I try to reread it. I would not say this is a bad book, but I think it requires the right mood and dedication.
    • 4/5
      This book, an examination of the challenges of giving and asking for forgiveness, was a lovely read. I found the descriptions of monastic life soothing, and it was also nice to see flashes of humanity and the struggles it brings in the members of the Benedictine house where the book is set. I enjoyed it, and I would like to read other works by this author.
    • 4/5
      Sometimes a story is all about the journey, not the destination. _The Hardest Thing to Do_ is not a surprising book; without knowing anything about it at all, one can guess at the central conflict of the narrative from the title alone, and the conclusion is not an unexpected one. And yet, it works well as a meditation on the difficulties of Christian forgiveness and human weakness.This book is the fourth entry in "The Hawk and the Dove" series, of which I knew nothing before picking it up. Set at a reasonably-sized English monastery, the story involves a cast of several dozen men. This is initially somewhat overwhelming, but I found that Wilcock does a good job of developing the distinctive personalities and quirks of at least the central characters. Helpfully, the book includes a character reference as well as a glossary, monastic schedule, and liturgical calendar. These latter items indicate the level of care the author has taken to depict the atmosphere of a classical Catholic monastery. Small details about the kitchens and choir, the rule of silence in the cloister and the chants of the Triduum liturgies, the fraternity of the brothers and the simplicity of the cells, all serve to enhance the authenticity of the novel. Unfortunately, that authenticity is not matched by the atmosphere of the late Middle Ages. I was never fully convinced by the language and idiom used by the characters, and there are one or two examples of anachronisms (or if not actual anachronisms, then easily perceived as such). While reading, I believed that I was in a monastery patiently experiencing the privations of Lent; I did not believe that I was in the century advertised.The other issue I had with the story is that the author sometimes violates the principle of "show, don't tell"; as a result, the central antagonist is never fully convincing as the twisted villain he's supposed to be. All his wickedness takes place offstage, as it were, but we never see that particular element of his character exposed in his actions. He seems to have undergone a significant part of his character arc before actually being introduced as a character.Utlimately, though, the story succeeds despite these problems because its conflict is an ancient and timeless one. The problem of forgiveness is still as relevant as ever — and high-profile — in today's world. Wilcock's work does not really break any new ground in our understanding of its mystery, but serves instead as a gentle reminder of that which all Christians — and all people — are called to do for one another.
    • 4/5
      I received this novel through LibraryThing's early reviewer's program, I was not sure what to expect. It took a bit to get into the book, as I have little knowledge of monks. I did not realize this was fourth in a series, I had neither read or heard of the other books. As I got into the book I couldn’t put it down! The book shows the effects of arrogance and the struggle to be able to forgive. It was very insightful on the life of a monk and intrigues me to learn more about them. I enjoyed this book very much and plan to read the previous books in the series.
    • 4/5
      This story is primarily set in a 14th century monastery as the brothers await the return of their former brother/infirmarian who has been appointed their new abbot and chronicles the adjustments that are made during the transition to his new leadership. On his way back to the monastery, Abbot John Hazell, encounters Father William, former prior of another abbey who has been reduced to very low circumstances. When Father William presents himself at the door of St. Alsuin's abbey, he sets in motion a time of turmoil and self-examination for both himself and the other members of the community.Father William's past behavior at his former abbey has caused many to despise and mistrust him. Can the brothers of St. Alcuin's find a way to forgive him? Can William find a way to change? Truly, these are hard things to do.The story takes place during Lent in the form of journal entries for the days of the season culminating in Easter. The depiction of daily monastic life contrasted with the expression of the tensions that were also present between the brothers. It also enhanced the appreciation of the resolution.I enjoyed this book and plan to read the previous books in the series.
    • 5/5
      I received an ARC (advanced reading copy) from Crossway through LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.The Hardest Thing To Do is the first of three sequels to the Hawk and the Dove trilogy which takes place early in the fourteenth century. I had not read any of the books before this one so I didn’t know what to expect, but I am very glad to have been given the opportunity to review it. What a wonderful read!The story focuses on a monastery in a time of change and struggle as the monks welcome their new abbot. At the same time that his new role begins, Abbot John is faced with a troubling challenge. A man – a monk from another house – comes to them seeking refuge, a man they consider to be their enemy but who is now in dire need, his life in danger. No one trusts or even likes him and the brothers have to deal with issues of forgiveness, bitterness and trust as they take him in while deciding what to do about him in the long-term. The question that insistently stands before them is, “What would our Lord have us do?”Penelope Wilcock presents the lives and events in the monastery through a journal style of writing. It is an easy book to read, very interesting, captivating, and pulled me in from the first page of the story. The believable characters stay on the reader’s mind as they are followed through their daily routines, their anxieties, joys, fears, and deep desire to walk with Christ. A lovely point in this is that the author had several of the monks discover things that were “the hardest thing to do” for them.Having not read any other books in this series I am now keen on doing so. If you enjoy historical fiction, then there is a very good chance you will thoroughly enjoy this one. A review that does not give away too much of the story can hardly give the book justice, but The Hardest Thing To Do is well worth the read.
    • 5/5
      Here is a sampler of the extraordinary writing style and life lessons shared by Penelope Wilcock in her novel, The Hardest Thing to Do. “It’s only . . . he has suffered too much. He cannot see his way forward. Life is sustained by hope, in all of us.” (p. 151)“May you be robed in Christ’s grace. May his love be a cloak about you and his peace be the robe of your true self. May you touch and know his healing, find for sure his forgiveness, wherever you are, and whatever happens now. Find thy lamb, O Jesu, good Shepherd, in thy love, and free him of the thorns that bind and cling.” (p. 154)“The hardest thing is having the power to overrule but not using it, accepting that not everyone sees things my way--I have to respect that.” (p. 168)“People are never loveable when they are tense and scared. . . Their faces go hard and pinched and their eyes look like something boiled. Unhappy people get mean and suspicious; always looking out for what others might be doing to them, never at peace. Happy people look soft and quiet, gentle, at ease in the world and with themselves, even when they have ailments and troubles to bear.” (p. 168)“You choose with your heart. I choose with my head. And there is no going back from our choices. We do not ever come to the same crossroads again . . .” (p.196)“In the delicious sunshine of the day, birds feverishly gathered twigs for nests taking shape in every hedgerow. The wood doves, who had their dovecote supplied, occupied their hours in the ostentatious courtship, throats puffed to the huge maximum. Sidling and bowing in pursuit of desirable favors.” (p. 220)Though the setting is a religious community, the content of the book is never preachy. The novel format allows 14th century monks to stumble along learning life’s lessons much as we do by learning from our successes and failures and by observing the same in others.This was an Early Reviewer copy received from Library Thing.
    • 1/5
      I found this book difficult to get into and difficult to continue. There were some nice messages in it but it felt like I was stomping through the mud, turning the pages was hard and I did not get much out of it. Unfortunately, the hardest thing to do, was make it through the book.
    • 4/5
      I requested this from Early Reviewers, thinking it was a historical novel set in a medieval monastery. It is - but when I got the book and saw that it had come from a Christian publisher, I had misgivings. I don't normally read "Christian" fiction. However, "The Hardest Thing To Do" surprised me. I thought it was well written, and the characters were interesting. The book's theme of forgiveness - while cloaked in the language of Catholic theology - is universal enough to appeal to a wide range of readers.
    • 2/5
      i received The Hardest Thing to Do as an ARC. I really just couldn't finish this book. Although well written, it just didn't hold my interest. Just not my cup of tea.g
    • 1/5
      I have to admit being tempted to forget about reviewing this book, but that wouldn’t really be fair to anybody. After forcing myself to finish the novel in the hope that something was going to happen, I shut the book feeling rather empty. The one spot where there certainly should have been tension and excitement, the final vote to accept or not accept Father de Bulmer into the Abby was dealt with in four short lines. After 205 pages of building up to this point, one would have expected at least a review of the monk’s emotions, perhaps a count of the vote (which negates the entire point of the story – was the monk forgive by a majority, or did he squeak in by one vote), or, who voted for and who voted against him - something, anything more than just, “Thank you my brother, you have a welcome in this house.”With that predictable outcome and one other small bit of excitement, we are left with page after page of what basically lays out like a diary. A diary that would be interesting to the writer who knows all the details we are not given but which leaves the reader feeling pretty left out. The story might have been better with the proper language being spoken, a lot more character development to add some spice – surely all the monks were not the boring, lifeless beings the book makes them out to be, along with the removal of the short chapters which contain a few paragraphs of…nothing.In summary, I cannot recommend this novel to anyone. The people who would be interested for the historical information would probably be put off by the lack of period language use.
    • 3/5
      In this fourth book of Penelope Wilcock's Hawk and Dove series, readers are asked to consider the nature and difficulty of forgiveness. Set in the early fourteenth century, the story begins when the monks at a quiet monastery are startled by the arrival of an old enemy, Prior William, who comes to ask for refuge and forgiveness. Can they trust William? Readers follow the lives of the peace-loving monks as they go about their humble, daily chores, tending the garden, preparing meals, and meeting God in prayer. Wilcock's story unfolds in the form of journal entries that challenge us to ask ourselves, "What is the hardest thing to do?" Part of the gentle answer is that forgiveness is hard to do, and perhaps it's impossible to grant without knowing God's grace and mercy. This is a beautiful, lyrical look at a long-ago time and place, wrapped around a very modern dilemma: that of forgiving our enemy and loving him, too.
    • 5/5
      The Hardest Thing To Do is my first Penelope Wilcock's novel. I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC and wasn't really expecting the delight this book about monks offered. However, Wilcock hooked me quickly with her setting in a fourteenth century monastery, where I felt as though I was lurking with monks and perhaps snuggling from the bitter winter in a flea-bitten wool blanket and eating gruel right along with them. The novel takes the reader through the day-to-day routines and monotony of the monastery. When an uninvited guest ends up on their doorstep, the new abbot takes him in and doctors his wounds, much to the dismay and fear of all who've heard about this visitor. Most of the novel deals with the struggle all of them endure as Father John tries to come to grips with the descension and his own doubts, working towards forgiveness and trust. But the visitor must show himself worthy. The Hardest Thing To Do is surely a beautiful work of fiction and its thought-provoking story is gripping. I highly recommend this book for not only those interested in the medieval period but also those readers searching for inspiration in their daily lives.
    • 2/5
      (This is a review of an Advance Copy.)"The Hardest Thing To Do" was an easy, but troublesome, read. Set in a monastery, it was very interesting to read about the 14th Century life of men whose lives are professed to be for the love of Jesus. Being the first book in a sequel trilogy, we come in with the setup, of a small community awaiting its new abbot, John, a character from the previous books. This book stands well on its own, without having to look for the first Hawk and the Dove trilogy.We get to know everyone, and their daily lives, in short order (this book is only about 250 pages). We also get to know about John in some great detail, as he is traveling back home from getting his education for running a monastery, which also sets up the opening for the antagonist in this plot. The plot is a little hard to swallow, though, where men who are about love, have to wrestle with loving someone that they hardly know, after hearing what is practically rumor-like diatribe from Brother Thomas and townsfolk. It just does not seem reasonable that men of God would harbor such ill will as proposed by the author. On the other hand, Wilcock is seemingly very versed on the subject of monastic life, yet her prose did not seem to be so skilled. Hopefully before the full print run, some changes were made. Her writing style, though, will most likely remain unchanged. The character's longer monologues are often nerve-wracking, stream of consciousness-type speeches, without breaks for interaction from other characters being spoke to.The chapters are short, which is fun, but these are more like diary entries—any uneventful days are given short shrift, sometimes equaling less than a page worth of text. When seeing these short pieces, I often asked myself, 'Why bother?'A glaring error, I believe, is when one character interrupts Abbot John, blasting him with apologies, and we are left there, with no explanation of why there was a disruption, nor why the Brother was so frantic.Overall, it was a short time filler. It is not, however, tempting enough to read the previous three books, nor wait for the next two.
    • 1/5
      The hardest thing to do by Penelope Wilcock was a book that I could not get into. I attempted to read it multiple times but was not able to much further than the pages that I had read previously. The book did not hold my attention; it may be because of the topic or the setting - I am not certain of which. Overall, I found the pages that I read dull and uninteresting.
    • 4/5
      Hmm.. Monks.. Not what I was expecting, but nonetheless was pretty good. I love how there is a glossary in the back so people like me (that don't what they're talking about) is described. Keep up the good work, Penelope!
    • 3/5
      At first I was quite wary of reading this book as it is the fourth in the Hawk and the Dove series and I have read none of the previous books. However, this novel can most definitely stand alone and be read without previous familiarity with the series. My largest drawback was that I had a bit of a hard time getting into the book at the start. One of the most interesting parts of the book was its description of and attention to the details of the monastic lifestyle. The author has done her homework in this regard.
    • 2/5
      From the back:"The first of three sequels to the celebrated "The Hawk and the Dove" trilogy takes place one year after the end of the third book, in the early fourteenth century. A peaceful monastery is enjoying its new abbot, who is taking the place of Father Peregrine, when an old enemy arrives seeking refuge. Reluctantly taking in Prior William, the upended community must address old fears and bitterness while warily seeking reconciliation."Review:"Christian Fiction" is a tricky label and I have not read widely in it. Ten years ago, I read a book by and interviewed Jan Karon who wrote the hugely popular Mitford series. Although they feature Father Tim, an Episcopal priest, the stories are about modern everyday life in a small town. Most people can relate to the problems, foibles, and dilemmas she writes about. Religion is there, but it's in the background; faith is an element of personality. I also read a historical novel "Stones of My Accusers" by Tracy Groot several years ago. Moody Publishers stated as their mission:"...to equip and motivate people to advance the cause of Christ by publishing evangelical Christian literature..." That book was remarkably free of "evangelical" language. Jesus was treated as a real and flawed person and the "resurrection" viewed with skepticism by the main characters. In fact, I didn't even recognize it as "Christian Fiction" until I read the publisher's mission. "The Hardest Thing to Do" is a different book altogether: an outright, unapologetic panegyric to Christian beliefs and religious lifestyle. That doesn't make it a bad book. I actually enjoyed the quiet contemplative nature of the writing, the insight into a religious community and the obvious research that went into the book. I very much appreciated the major themes of forgiveness and "why can't we all just get along?" I would even go so far as to recommend that the publisher send copies to all the so-called Christians in the US Congress, in hopes that they might learn a few lessons in charity and social responsibility, but I'm not holding my breath. But in the end, the central conflict of the story didn't work for me. The Hardest Thing to Do didn't seem all that hard. The "enemy" the good brothers had to deal with was defeated when he showed up at their door: his house burned, his flock scattered, his body and spirit injured. It didn't seem much of a leap to apply a little Christian charity. If a raider had come through and burned them out, killing their brethren, etc., and they truly forgave him; I might have been more impressed. But the book is what it is: a quiet, uplifting, devotional story. Some people might want or need just that; others might want a little more spice.I received this Advanced Reader Copy from the publisher through the Early Reader program at LibraryThing. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
    • 4/5
      Overall, it was a good story, well written and thought provoking.The differing viewpoints worked together like the community it was supposed to portray. While I can't speak to the accuracy of the monastic life described, it "sounded" right - there weren't any seriously jarring moments. I usually avoid reading sequels before their predecessors. However, I made an exception here (the last I say!) and it well paid off. The references to the previous books were more of the familiarity of a old family tale rather than essential parts of the plot or storyline which you had missed altogether. I definitely want to read the previous trilogy now to find out what had happened before - and see how these characters were like when they were younger.
    • 5/5
      I recieved this book as an early reviewer, and I honestly had a hard time getting into it. Once I did, I could not put it down. There are a lot of characters and the list of the community was very helpful. A very heartfelt and intelligent read. The detail of the 14th century lifestyle of the monks was well written and opened a whole new world in which you could taste, hear and feel their emotions. Excellent story, and a surprising ending. The back cover needs to be re-written, poor description of this wonderful book. Hard to read also, small print. I will be reading the first 3 of the series.
    • 4/5
      This is a well-written account of the Lenten season in a medieval English monastery. The psychological portrayals of the monks are very perceptive and realistic. The historical setting is well-done, except for strange anachronisms, such as a reference to the “party line” by one monk. This book is the fourth book in The Hawk and the Dove series, and I assume would have been even more enjoyable if I had known the characters’ back story. (The Hawk and the Dove is the first volume.)Why I liked this book is well-expressed in this quote from it:“ it was not so much the aspects of monastic life he had expected -- the prayer, the devotion, the rhythm of life – as the small bright shards of vivid personality” .
    • 3/5
      This book will find its audience, who are most likely fans of intricate monastic detail provided with Lessons (capital intentional). I was often thrown off, however, by less than careful usages of modern phrasing in the midst of details of abbey life. "No big deal", for instance, dates from the nineteenth century (I looked it up), not the fourteenth.

    Book preview

    The Hardest Thing to Do - Penelope Wilcock

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