The Hardest Thing to Do

The Hawk and the Dove #4

by Penelope Wilcock

A leader is making his way home. A priory has been torched. And now an enemy is knocking at the door. Prior William has caused a lot of pain in his time and is known for being an evil man. So when his own priory is burned to the ground and he seeks refuge with the brothers of St. Alcuin, everyone is quite uncomfortably surprised. The newly installed Abbot John faces the first challenge of his leadership as the brothers debate about mercy and justice, revealing their innermost thoughts and fears in coming face-to-face with a real enemy. After all, is it not positively ludicrous to invite a wolf in to live with the sheep? Yet, where is the beauty of the gospel without the risk of its grace? Penelope Wilcock takes us on an imaginative journey into a world rife with hostility and pain, exploring the complexities of grace, the difficulties of forgiveness, and the cautions of building trust. Her intimate knowledge of the human spirit will challenge our very own prejudices as we, along with her characters, are forced to ask ourselves, “What is the hardest thing to do, and will anyone actually do it?”

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Inspirational, British Literature, Christian Historical Fiction

255 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Penelope (Pen) Wilcock is the author of over twenty books, including The Hawk & the Dove Series 1 (9 volumes), and The Hawk & the Dove Series 2.
Having got back the publishing rights to her books, she and her husband Tony Collins have now republished them under their own imprint Humilis Hastings on the Amazon publishing platform. Pen Wilcock shares the profits from all her Humilis Hastings sales with a community of Carthusian monks in Sussex where she lives.
She has been a Methodist minister and has worked as a hospice and school chaplain.

Reviews

[English · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a few years since I finished the original Hawk and Dove Trilogy, three short books set in and around a Monastery in 14th century Yorkshire, exploring the lives of its inhabitants, and the spiritual resonances of their choices, actions, and behaviour. This picks up a couple of years after the Trilogy ended, with the death of the much loved Abbot Columba. A new Abbot had been appointed, formerly one of the brothers of the Abbey named John, who had to trek halfway across England to St Alcuin's from Cambridge.

The brothers were going about their lives, preparing for his arrival when they hear the news that a nearby Augustinian Monastery (an order based largely in England named after Augustine of Canterbury) has been burned to the ground, and all its members reportedly killed. The Abbot was William de Bulmer, a man noted for his arrogance and an almost pharisaical obsession with order and rules. Those who had read the former series may remember that the second book involved a confrontation between the two men, in which William showed contempt for the disabled Abbot Columba. It is a slight that many of the brothers of St Alcuin's had not forgotten or forgiven.
So when William de Bulmer arrives on their doorstep, shortly after their new Abbot, tensions are running high.

This is the central conflict of the story and the reason for the title 'The Hardest Thing to Do'- reaching out and accepting a man deservedly despised and hated. However, it also applies to the resentment, hardships and inner demons which all the monks have to is wrestling with. Could Brother Thomas, the close friend, and confidante of Abbot Columba overcome his hatred and bitterness to accept a man in need, instead of stirring up dissent amongst his brothers?
What of William be Bulmer himself? Would his presence bring indelible divisions to St Alcuin's, and what made him so closed to love and compassion for his fellow men.

I did not agree with everything in the book or all the interpretations of scripture that were presented, but this book proved to be a moving and thought- provoking study of moral and spiritual matters, in which many of the characters were forced to examine themselves and change their own lives. Through ordinary men and women, they are relatable to our own lives. The author has also provided a useful Glossary and chart of the canonical Hours which were observed in Medieval Monasteries.

I requested a copy of this book from the Publisher, Lion Fiction. I was not required to write a positive review, and I did not receive any financial compensation. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Meredith Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stuff. Peace studies monks. Good reminders about holiness in community in imitation of Christ. I like the story and the characters. Didn’t realize it takes place intentionally throughout the course of Lent (each chapter is numbered by Lenten day) until I started reading it on Ash Wed and it was Ash Wed in the book. So that was very cool.

Only cringe stuff was the recurrence of the title in random places that didn’t quite fit and the wild variation of language in people who supposedly live in the 14th century but only sometimes talk like it. not that big of a deal

[Danielle Barger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is simply delightful!

[Chad D · Rating 4 out of 5]

As is usual for this series so far, this book is what Christian fiction ought to be. Thoughtful, wise, useful. A man comes into the abbey who has wronged them, and they need to learn to forgive him, and he needs to learn to be a better Christian. There's all these narrative bits around it of finding one's true vocation and about "the hardest thing to do," which comes up six or seven times from various speakers, because we all have things to do that we find individually quite hard, that are different for each, in the same way that vocations are different from each. The narrative ties up a little bit too easily, perhaps. But it's a little book. In real life it would have been more complicated. Very much like what happens in this book, though, just more complicated. So there is much to learn from this book, and much to enjoy, the warm authentic glow of just the sort of thing God would do.

[Lara Lleverino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love this series! Reminds me so much of Father Tim and the Mitford books!

[Carole Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at The Power of Words: http://bit.ly/1S81B0w

The Hawk and the Dove series by Penelope Wilcock is unusual, and that’s a very good thing. The stories are more literary in style, yet they have an easy flow and are very entertaining. Descriptive words like thought provoking, merciful, unapologetically honest, moving, insightful and timeless come to mind. I highly recommend this series. Book #4, The Hardest Thing to Do, can stand alone, but reading from the beginning will give a much better understanding of characters and setting.

Set in the 14th-century Benedictine monastery of St. Alcuin’s on the edge of the Yorkshire moors, The Hardest Thing to Do gives a vivid view of monastic life – from worship, study and prayer, to gifted areas of service (obedience), and surprisingly to the same faith and community struggles that we face today.

This story covers the entire season of Lent, something that I found fascinating because I’ve never been in a church that observes this practice. These words of Brother Theo convey its essence: “The slow, painful journey of Lent takes us from ashes, through fire, to Easter light: reversing our tendency to fall asleep and neglect the flame, to let the fire go out.”

The Hardest Thing to Do is indeed timeless and relevant because it explores the essence and struggles of obedience to Christ’s teachings probably better than anything I’ve ever read. Drawing from circumstances between Father Peregrine (now deceased), Brother Tom and Prior William in book #2, The Wounds of God, this story delves into human nature with great insight, along with the need for repentance, confession, and forgiveness. It also left me pondering a question for which I have no answer as of yet: Is it harder to forgive a person who has wronged someone we deeply care about, rather than if we ourselves had been wronged?

What a memorable, seemingly unlovable character is William! A man of calculating self-interest, he “had lost his hold on most of what is good and true a long time ago, and what’s left that could have been redeemed is all seared and terrified and shuttered away now.” William is just one of several richly-drawn characters.

One of the most moving parts of this story is the way the monastery’s infimarians – Brother Michael, Brother John (now Abbot), and other helpers – treat the elderly and dying with tender care, honor and respect, never letting frailty or illness define who they have become. William had found that the earth was no longer a safe place for him, and Brother Michael’s prayer for this seriously ill man were especially beautiful to me: “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 hishealing, 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.”

With forgiveness being at the heart of this story – both the giving and receiving of it – I found Theo’s thoughts worthy of remembering: “It’s a matter of trying to stand where the other man is standing and seeing it how he sees it, and then it starts to make some sense.”

The Hardest Thing to Do is a book that fans of historical and character-driven inspirational stories will enjoy. Highly recommended.

Thank you to Kregel for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[MaryJo Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hawk and the Dove series is so different from my usual reading fare, but I'm hooked.
Not only is Wilcock a very good writer, but she carries off a very unusual theme in a setting that can difficult to maintain the realism of.
This is a book about Christian spiritual maturity, so if that puts you off, go no further.
What is especially fascinating in this setting is the struggles for that maturity among a group of brothers in a medieval British abbey. These are real men with real weaknesses, strengths, and struggles. The reader can become very fond of these brothers, and even identify with some of them.
In this story beloved Abbot Peregrine - as he was affectionately known - has ended his days on earth. The man newly elected to take his place hasn't even applied his new robe when a man
from the past comes to them for help - a man much loathed, especially by Brother Tom.
The working through of this dilemna takes place during Lent, much testing the mettle of many of the brothers, but most especially the new abbot, and Tom.

[Rod White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to go to wherever in England this woman lives and at least give her a hug. It is so kind of her to produce encouraging fiction that deals with real issues. The characters she introduces after her previous work (the Hawk and the Dove -- ojne of the best things I ever ran into), are just as compelling as those I learned to love in her first go around in the monastery. I am on the second book of this trilogy, as I write, and it gets even better.

[Tabitha Driver · Rating 5 out of 5]

For an already slow-paced book it had a slow start, but this book doesn't disappoint. Brother Tom stole the show as always, and I'm glad the abbey is finally getting better tasting bread. As always Wilcox balances humility and dignity, and I loved the repeated phrase "the hardest thing to do" showing each monk's personality...and the difficulty of the mundane. Another structural aspect of the book I appreciated was that it was designed to correlate with the Lent season.

This is the type of book one reads for the emotion and character development--not the twists and action. But there were two times when she surprised me, and I physically reacted. (1) I'd had the thought, "Well, of course they're going to vote Willem in." and then, of course, they didn't. I loved how she showed that by voting him out he'd already poisoned them with fear and hatred. (2) Looking back, the attempted suicide feels like the obvious plot choice, but at the time, I wasn't prepared for it.

I would have liked a little bit more of Cormac and his reaction to being "deposed". I loved the scene of Brother Willem serving Father John and showing his loyalty when their wealthy visitors came. And I appreciated Brother Tom's stumbling words in support of Brother Willem staying. I appreciated how Father John and Brother Willem's vocations were contrasted --one raising his status and another lowering his status for the good of the community-- even though they both probably would have preferred to remain in their old positions.

The part where Brother Michael tells Father John he lost the bet was hilarious....but I do want to know what actually made Father Willem laugh.

As soon as I finished the book, I wanted to pick it up and read it again. In fact, I did reread parts of it immediately.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book is heartwarming and oh-so thought provoking! You do not need to read them in order, although doing so will help immerse you into life at St Alcuin's monastery in northern Yorkshire.
There is much to appreciate in the writing of Wilcock. She brings 14th century alive in various ways. We travel north north with the new Abbot John (formerly the head Infirmarian-doctor) from Cambridge in early Spring, through many difficulties along the way. Then, just before arriving both he and the rest of the monks learn of a devastating fire at a near by Augustine abbey.
Each monk has unique jobs, usually fitted well with their talents and interests, although not always. Every monk has developed friends within community, and a few they just don't get along with and cause disruptions--much like life. Into this small community comes the Abbot leader of the burnt abbey, bringing painful memories and an arrogant attitude that are so contrary to life in St. Alcuin's.
Father John and novice master Father Theodore struggle to figure ways to help the burnt and lost Abbot William adapt and find his place in this new community, letting go of some of his old ideas. I found myself pondering several of my relationships and how I can listen more carefully and help those around me to live life more fully.

[Maedoc · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book found me first in a Benedictine guesthouse two years ago, I couldn't finish it during my stay so I ordered it on my kindle. I rarely spend money on fictions for a long long time but this one total worthes the money (and time ;)) What motivated me to write this review now is, I think I finally understand brother Tom's feeling toward Farther Chad...when I myself stayed on a monastery for a while, day after day trying to press down some uncharitable inner murmurings in choir and was distributed too by the sound of certain steps and coughs...Gush, I used to think the author dramatized brother Tom's character a little too much by that narrative! Now I see why this series has a "fan club" in Benedictine communities (and some Carmels ;)) Forgiveness surely is an old theme, how can we forgive those who hurt us because they cannot do otherwise, so they are totally not aware of it and will never ask for forgiveness because they are not capable of doing so? Well, I guess to get our sense marches our reason is always the hardest thing...

[Sarah G · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had to pick one work of fiction that has had the greatest impact on me spiritually, it would need to be The Hawk and the Dove series by Penelope Wilcock. This is saying something, as I have loved all my time spent with C.S. Lewis, Andrew Peterson, George MacDonald, and others. Still, Wilcock brings the life of the brothers at St. Alcuin's to life with a gentle lustre that makes their struggles and victories so real, that they have mirrored in my own. They have made me long for greater simplicity and devotion to Christ, made me want to be a more humble servant and sent me repeatedly to the feet of my Savior for strength and mercy. It took me a while to get to 'The Hardest Thing To Do'; perhaps the ending of #3, 'The Long Fall' wrecked me significantly enough that I needed time to recover, or possibly I did not believe that the series would be the same following the passing of __________(hidden for spoiler). I was not disappointed #4, however, and have now added the rest of the titles to my TBR list. I cannot over-recommend these books for the Christian reader.

[Lori Eby · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I say for this book goes for all six books in this series: I wouldn’t call them high art or stellar literature by some standards, yet they accomplish for me what the best books do: they pull me in, engage me in the characters, and change my thinking. It’s the theology that almost makes me want to reread them immediately.

They nearly earn five stars, and I almost fear it’s literary snobbery that keeps me at four stars, for although I’d say the writing hasn’t reached perfection (too saccharine? sometimes cliche? predictable? emotion leads the way?), these books lead me to see humans, vulnerability, mercy, and grief with new eyes. The insight and tenderness is tangible, and if it’s the right time for you, these stories will change your life.

Also, the first two books contain stories within a story, and I find I can easily skip the framework story and lose nothing: it’s the stories set in the monastery that are memorable.

[Eric Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fourth book of The Hawk and the Dove series follows the men of St. Alcuin's Benedictine abbey in their life after Father Peregrine. The book takes place over the season of Lent, with each chapter marked out as a day of this liturgical season. In this season the new abbot Father John takes his place, while one of Father Peregrine's rivals arrives to the abbey seeking refuge although first must find reconciliation. While the plot for this particular book is strong, the book in many ways feels like a movie sequel where it does not need to be. Countless references to Father Peregrine are made, as well as to the days when the main characters were novices in the earlier books. Perhaps this helps a reader jumping into to this book without reading the first three, but if one has read the first three these pieces can be a bit of a distraction. Overall a good book in a rich series.

[Gerry Connolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hardest Thing to Do is the 4th in Penelope Wilcock’s Hawk and Dove series. It is the 14th century and the Benedictine monastery St Alcuin’s is welcoming its new abbot Fr John. He is the former infirmarian, a gentle and unassuming man. Suddenly at the gate appears a burnt and beaten man, William de Bullmer, the abbot of St Dunsdale, an Augustinian monastery. Prior William is a cruel, arrogant man whose despotic ways so alienated the surrounding folk that they burnt the abbey to the ground and left William for dead. In his heyday he had humiliated the beloved abbot Fr Peregrine of St Alcuin’s. Now he seeks refuge at the house where he is despised. Br Tom must reconcile his visceral hatred of this man with the Rule of Benedict to provide succor. That’s the hardest thing to do. Delightful read.

[Julia Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the 4th one in the Hawk and The Dove series by Penelope Wilcock. The story takes place during the 14th century outside of London in a Benedictine Monastery. This is one of my all time favorites - the story continues flawlessly and the characters new and old continue to become my dear friends. The life lived at the monastery is knocked for a loop when a new monk arrives that has the reputation of being very evil. Will the monastery take him in or turn him away? The story unfolds beautifully as we see a very real struggle in humanity of how to deal with evil among us. Most excellent read.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still such a great series! The format changed for book 4; it is written in chapters comprising one day each in the life of the Benedictine Monks at St. Alcuin's in the early 14th century. The setting is during Lent, leading up to Easter.

It is incredibly humbling and encouraging to see these brothers struggle with the hard life they have chosen and seek Christ in that. They are not without sin, but they purposely address and oppose their sin, though sometimes it takes a while. The love that they have for one another is so wonderful.

In this book, many of the brothers reveal what is "the hardest thing to do" for each of them. Yet, they continue to step into that hardest thing...

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read the first 3 books in this series years ago when they first came out. Then a couple of years ago I learned Wilcock had written more! I finally got copies of the new ones and, of course, had to re-read 1-3 before getting to this one. Again, she writes with deep, rich spiritual insights into a life of discipline and commitment to Christ. The meaning of true love, forgiveness, and Christian community will challenge and bring changes to the reader's life.

[Diane Fournier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story in this series. Learned much about forgiveness and relationships. Forgiving someone who wrongs you is hard but I think sometimes forgiving someone who has harmed someone you love is harder. I fail at this myself. The author brings such depth and emotion to these life lessons.

[Anna Moffett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful next book in the series. Features themes of forgiveness, reconciliation & death to self leading to beautiful new life — truly “the hardest thing to do.” (Started this book around Ash Wednesday, not realizing the timeline was a daily chronicle through the Lenten season.)

[Andrew Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gentle, heart-warming and occasionally humorous - loved it.

[Paula M. Yerke · Rating 5 out of 5]

If ever there was a series written for me, this is it. I love you Penelope Wilcock. Can't wait to start book 5.

[Paula Yerke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is sublime!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much meaty truth in this story. So much human-ness. And every book comes with new, wonderfully-complicated characters.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series is amazing. It a story of relationship and human experience. The characters are relatable and even though it is set in history in a monastery, it is still so relatable.

[Jenny K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series shows so clearly our humanity. From peasant to priest to nobleman, we all struggle with forgiveness.

[Sydnee Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book! Definitely made me take a look at my own life to see where I am a William or a tom! Such a good story you don’t even realize it’s working on your soul too!

[Raquel (Silver Valkyrie Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I missed Father Peregrine almost as much as the brothers in this story did! While I didn't like everything about how this story was presented, some good points were made, some interested character arcs were completed, and the overall experience was enjoyable.

Be aware that this book contains a suicide attempt.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first 3 but then it tied itself up with a neat bow. It feels like we're all just trying to find our way in a world without Fr. Peregrine and I enjoy watching the monks grow in their new roles.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and engaging Lenten story about a community of monks who lived in the Middle Ages, whose stories resonate still with many of us who live in this modern world. This is a slow, wise, comforting, truthful book about loss and betrayal and death -- and the hope of grace and mercy and redemption. It is a book that demands time and attention -- not because it is a difficult read (it is not!), but because there is so much it has to offer in each short chapter. It is beautifully written.



Quotes:
"A miracle alters the normal course of things, turning what comes naturally into something new. In the everyday we take a flint and a rag, or take a taper to a candle, and we make a light. We take the light to the hearth and start a fire. When night comes down and we cease to feed it, the flames die away... and all that is left is ashes.
A vocation can be like that, or a marriage, in the everyday. Someone sets alight something new, it flames up warm and bright. But with time and neglect, it dies down, dies out. As the years go by while you walk this way, you will sense among your brothers those of whom this is true...

And when it is like that -- as it can be for any of us at times -- the going is so arduous... if you see that your brother has become like a bottle in the smoke, just the used remnant of what must once have been a vocation, oh, do not judge him. One day it might be you...

But the miracle starts here... a miracle is not the everyday way of things -- light, fire, ashes. A miracle changes everything, challenges the order that we know. In a miracle God smiles and says, 'Try this for a change: ashes, fire, light.' Inside a soul, when all is ashes -- when a brother has become as grubby and unattractive as a bottle in the smoke -- the secret fire of the Holy Spirit arises out of the kind desire of God, burning away the dross and the sin, kindling again the precepts, the statutes, the rule of life. Fire is painful, oh, God, it is painful; there is nothing warm and cozy about the mercy of God as it burns away coldness and indifference. But the flowering of the miracle is luminous; there comes light that is evident to everyone who has eyes to see; the inner light of peace betokening the house where Christ lives again: resurrection, I suppose... So the slow, painful journey of Lent takes us from ashes, through fire, to Easter light: reversing our tendency to fall asleep and neglect the flame, to let the fire go out."

With this beginning, we are introduced to William de Bulmer, a "wolf in sheep's clothing," whose comfortable life in a neighboring abbey is literally burned up in a blaze set by the people he was meant to serve. His choices come back to haunt him, and he finds himself at the mercy of the new abbott of St. Alcuin's. The choice for the community there is simple: will they mete out the justice that this supplicant rightly deserves? or will they see past his demeanor into his pain, and offer him the mercy of Christ? How can they (in a practical way) do either thing well or wisely? Must they lose their common sense in order to be merciful? Will they be held guilty of lawbreaking if they choose to overlook his sin? And how will their community withstand the inner tension and division that these hard choices must bring? Some have hope for William, that he will find a resurrection of his own, after a long Lenten season. Others are not so sure that this is reasonable or even possible... and one injured party's demands for retribution threatens the peace of all his brothers.

Despite the fact that this story unfolds hundreds of years before our time, human nature remains the same, and the scenarios play out across the globe day after day in our modern world. The questions raised in this book remain with us today, and that is what is so timely and beautiful and comforting about Penelope Wilcox's books. In a quiet voice she points us toward a better way of life by SHOWING through story, not just TELLING through lecture. The result is powerful and moving and hopeful, and this book especially is perfect for a springtime read!


"The whole way and example of our Lord is not survival but compassion. Salvation is not only knowing that, but having the guts to live it." (Wilcox)