The Mourning Dove: A Story of Love

by Larry Barkdull

The year is 1959, in Boise, Idaho. Nine-year-old Hannibal has lost his parents and moves in with his recently widowed grandfather, Pop. Hannibal grows up under the loving guidance of Pop, who subtly imparts life's important lessons: the responsibility that comes with love, the nature of charity respect for all living things, and the dangers in telling a lie.

Pop is a humble man whose loving example extends far beyond his small circle. While he has attained no social recognition or position, the ripple effect of his example reaches generations into the future. With simple storytelling and honest sentiment, The Mourning Dove answers the question, "What is the worth of one person?"

Genres: Fiction, Adult

80 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

I am a longtime publisher and writer of books, music, art and magazines. My most recent books are Priesthood Power–Blessing the Sick and the Afflicted and Rescuing Wayward Children. I have just completed a major 5-book doctrinal series called The Three Pillars of Zion, which was announced August 2009. I have created two Facebook groups called, “Rescuing Wayward Children” and “Three Pillars of Zion–Becoming a Zion Person.”

For nine years, I owned Sonos Music Resources and published the Tabernacle Choir Performance Library, and I was also the owner and publisher of Keepsake Books. Combined, I have published about 600 products for numerous authors, composers and artists. I founded two non-profit organizations: The Latter-day Foundation for the Arts, Education and Humanity (to promote LDS arts), and Gospel Ideals International (to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ on the Internet). My wife, Elizabeth (Buffie), and I have been married for 38 years we have ten children and 15 grandchildren. We live in Orem, Utah. Visit me on Facebook: “Larry Barkdull”

from http://www.larrybarkdull.com/about-me

Reviews

[Skye Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet and tender. I loved this little story about a child and his grandfather. It felt very sunny, southern and nostalgic and I loved the layers of meaning, symbols, and lessons learned throughout the story. So sweet. So charming. Such a lovely little book and one I’ll be thinking about for a while.🤍

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannibal is a nine-year-old boy who lives with his grandpa, affectionately called "Pop," after both of his parents die. The book focuses on just the first year and a half when Hannibal starts living with Pop, but in those eighteen months he grows and learns some very important lessons that impact him.

This book may be short [only 84 pages], but it's precious and powerful. The bond and love between Pop and Hannibal is so sweet. You can't help feeling the same affection Hannibal feels for his grandfather. Pop's stories are wonderful, from the lighthearted one about Ol' Man Johnson to his heavier, more allegorical tales. The ending will definitely bring a tear to your eye, and you'll walk away feeling as if you've gained something.

I highly recommend this book to all readers. It doesn't take long to finish; maybe a few hours at most. But they'll be a few hours well spent.

[Stephanie K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a nice little story about a boy and his grandfather & their dealing with the boy's parent's death. I liked the relationships portrayed between the characters and the little experiences the boy had & learned from.
The author of this book is a very good writer and I enjoyed his style. But when it came to the end, I felt the story was wanting. It seemed to me that some of the things he wrote about were forgotten in the ending... they weren't tied back in or applied to the theme. I wish he had made a stronger connection with what was written before. He kept the flow of the main theme, but had additional parts that seemed needless.
Other than that, overall, I found the story interesting and thought-provoking. I would recommend it, despite the cut off ending.

[Ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story behind this book so much!

[Tiffany Collette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved all of the little life lessons and reminders of true love. Jaw dropping ending. “What will you do with your chance?” So, so good!

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morally uplifting without being overly sentimental. This humble story astonished me with its simple wisdom. I was engaged from the beginning, surprised at how quickly it was over, and amazed at how much it held. Well done.

[Del · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books on the Attonement and understanding one meaning to the parable the podigal son. This book is hard to find but if any of you want a copy to barrow, I am happy to share.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is as simple and easy to read as any. Yet, the more I ponder it, the deeper and more tender my thoughts. This is truly a treasure for virtually all ages.

[Jose Infante · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tuve una infancia muy cercana a mis abuelos, se podría decir que en algún momento incluso fueros ellos quienes tomaron la mayor parte de mi crianza, todas mis tardes, mañanas y noches de la niñez están llenas de recuerdos de conversaciones, juegos, preguntas, momentos hermosos junto a mi abuela y mi abuelo. Está historia me ha tocado muy de cerca en esa parte y el abuelo me ha recorda en muchísimas cosas a mis propios abuelos, la forma de hablar, de resolver los problemas y de acercarse a su pequeño nieto que está aprendiendo de la vida. Mi abuela también era una señora muy creyente de dios y muy pragmatica, y mi abuelo un señor que decía las cosas como las pensaba sin pelos en la lengua y que no pensaba dos veces en hacer cualquier cosa para verme feliz. Agradezco mucho los pensamientos bonitos que me ha hecho recordar este libro.

Una historia bastante agradable y bonita, con una enseñanza moral muy profunda y buena en cualquier momento de nuestra vida. No soy una persona religiosa y mucho menos cercana a la iglesia ni a las enseñanzas de la vida desde el punto de vista de "Dios siempre está ahí y nos ama" pero a pesar de tener un poco de esto en su punto principal, la enseñanza moral de este libro va mucho más allá de solo eso y me hecho detenerme a analizar actitudes y situaciones que he tenido o por las que he tenido que pasar más de una vez.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent enough moralistic tale about the lessons a boy can learn from his grandpa and his mistakes with a wayward friend. Although it starts off with the boy's moving in with his grandpa following the accidental death of his parents, the loss of which touched on repeatedly, the boy isn't really shown to go through any great emotional struggle in connection with the loss of his parents -- or it's just not successfully conveyed. The focus is more on the life lessons he learns while staying with "Pop" and the lessons about the nature and pitfalls of lying are quite true-to-life. It was a nice short read.

[Patrick Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the late 1950's, a young boy is sent to live with his grandfather after the tragic death of his parents. The book focuses on the first year and a half that they spend together. Hannibal falls in with a wayward neighborhood child and it precipitates some life lessons. Through his grandfather's stories, Hannibal is given guidance on the right choices to make in life. His grandfather shows him the value of love, truth, charity and forgiveness. To the reader's and Hannibal's surprise, the grandfather has learned these lessons in unexpected ways. A nice read that I really enjoyed.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect going into this book, I picked it up at a book sale at the library mainly because I am a bird nerd. Wow, was I not expecting a heart touching, tear jerking story. It is such a touching story about a grandfather and his grandson who he is now the sole guardian of. They both learn many life lessons several of which may bring tears to your eyes while reading. Their bond is incredible and the wording had me folding some of the corners of the paper so I could come back to those specific moments. It is a very easy and quick read, it makes you appreciate life and living it everyday with the ones you love. Would recommend!

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book completely touched my soul. One of the best books I've ever read. A quick read with twists and turns, will leave you sobbing by the end. A story about the power of humanly love, with weaved in nods to our creator for His pure love to us. A nostalgic classic feel for those who grew up in the countryside. Highly recommend!

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nine little chapters that are loaded with humor, wisdom, simple-life lessons. I truly enjoyed reading about Hannibal and his grandfather Pop. Two grieving souls, who help one another continue on with life. Simple storytelling the reaches out to all of us.

[Jaycee Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I had expected, but it was so heartfelt to the point where I almost cried. I think that this book gives off a great message. I read this book in two days, although I was expecting more action and adventures. By the end of the story, I was pleased about the way it turned out.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a lot of dealing with death in this book, but it wasn't too heavy for my kids (4-13). I really liked how lessons were taught in each chapter without it having to spelled out. The ending was also very moving.

[Coco Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short sweet story. It got a little preachy sometimes, but it was about good wholesome principles. So that was refreshing. It was very relatable and I loved the message at the end of the book and his story.

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a number of important lessons available to the reader in this sweet story of an orphaned boy and his widowed grandfather working through grief together. The grandfather understands perfectly the power of a well told story. These aren't easy lessons, but they are powerful lessons.

[Danni · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a very good little book.

[Richard Dial · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring story of a young man living with his grandfather in Idaho, and the lessons he learns about life and love.

[Anna Shiverdecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple but touching.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. It's not the love story you might be thinking of. I liked seeing the influence the grandpa had on the boy.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 1/2. There were some meaningful aspects of the story, but it was slow and disjointed.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good short story about a boy learning about unconditional love and family. Rated G

[Olivia Blackley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this short story to help me finish my library’s challenge and ended up extremely moved by the sweet and surpisingly spiritual messages

[Samantha Kaiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story that I feel everyone needs to read once in their life. Even the simple days of life are beautiful.

[Jam Pilarca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story with a darling lesson. Good to read when you’re having a bad day.

[Allison Evans]

The Mourning Dove is about Hannibal. He is a young boy, and his parents have died in a tragic car crash. Now Hannibal has come to live with his grandfather. This novel is about Hannibal's experiences dealing with the loss of his parents, but more importantly it is about the lessons his grandfather teaches him about love. The novel jumps between different refining experiences Hannibal goes through, as well as stories his grandfather tells him, all influencing Hannibal as he grows and learns.

This is a very tender book. It is simply written, but the messages in it are clear and powerful. Hannibal struggles through different moral dilemmas, and it is lovely to see how his grandfather wisely, and lovingly guides him along. It is pure and sweet. I would recommend this to any human who has a heart larger than that of the Grinch.

[Ryan Rodriquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

There isn't a person on this planet that hasn't done something they've regretted. There are people however, who have never experienced forgiveness for those/that thing(s), even if it's forgiveness from themselves. Orphaned nine-year-old Hannibal Huish lives with his recently widowed grandfather, "Pop" who is a great provider of instructing Hannibal in making the "right" choices. Hannibal befriends a neighbor, who is in desperate need of a friend, and together get into mischief as young boys often do and Hannibal learns the power of forgiveness and redemption. Pop is a wonderful role-model who has weathered some storms himself and shows Hannibal the grace of forgiveness, the vulnerability in honesty, and the power of respect and love as only he can.

[Gabriel Hathaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannibal and his Grandfather are united together through trial, after Hannibal's parents are killed. His grandfather teaches him, through many life changing experiences. Hannibal learns throughout the story about the importance of honesty, the sanctity of life, and how love endures forever.

I truly found this book life changing. It touched my heart. I absolutely loved the beauty of the story. Seeing Hannibal go through these experiences made me look at my own childhood, and I felt the story was driven by good morals the entire time. This is a story I would encourage all to read.

This book fulfills a requirement for my YA lit class in realistic fiction.