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The Hawk and the Dove #5
The Hour Before Dawn
Once again, author Penelope Wilcock reaches back through the centuries to the ancient monastery of St. Alcuin. Abbot John is undergoing deep, emotional shock after learning of the rape of his sister and murder of his mother; Father William is discovering his own vulnerability; and there, immersed in the daily routine of simple tasks, the brothers undertake the greatest task of nurturing the grace of God in their souls.
Book 5 in the recently continued The Hawk and the Dove series, The Hour before Dawn explores the psychological impact of grief and trauma as well as how one can be healed. Wilcock deftly weaves themes of the resurrection and ascension throughout the story, exploring the process of having survived suffering, but not yet having moved on. Characters eagerly await the coming dawn of restoration. Based on solid historical research, Wilcock’s representation of monastic life is authentic, rich with poetic prose and a sense of time and place.
The Hour before Dawn affirms our need for one another’s understanding and love as well as our need for a personal relationship with Jesus. Wilcock’s newest story helps readers understand the grieving process, make connections between the Bible and everyday life experiences, and nurture an attitude of understanding and kindness.
Book 5 in the recently continued The Hawk and the Dove series, The Hour before Dawn explores the psychological impact of grief and trauma as well as how one can be healed. Wilcock deftly weaves themes of the resurrection and ascension throughout the story, exploring the process of having survived suffering, but not yet having moved on. Characters eagerly await the coming dawn of restoration. Based on solid historical research, Wilcock’s representation of monastic life is authentic, rich with poetic prose and a sense of time and place.
The Hour before Dawn affirms our need for one another’s understanding and love as well as our need for a personal relationship with Jesus. Wilcock’s newest story helps readers understand the grieving process, make connections between the Bible and everyday life experiences, and nurture an attitude of understanding and kindness.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
14 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
About the author
Penelope Wilcock
27 books135 followersPenelope (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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 12, 2016
Beautiful story with much wisdom and spirituality, exploring that "bardo" between a tragedy and eventual healing from grief. Father John, now Abbot of St. Alcuin's Monastery after Father Peregrine's passing, has suffered a personal tragedy. Accused as witches by the villagers, his mother has been killed, his sister violated and their home razed. Now fragile, he sinks to the depths of hurt, self-blame, and despair. With the help of Father William, another monastic, he gropes his way towards the light and back to equilibrium and calm acceptance through the two of them forgetting themselves and helping someone in dire need. Abbot John utilizes his skills as former Infirmarian. Father William experiences an epiphany of his own.
I was immersed in that medieval monastic world but did miss Father Peregrine. This was another of Penelope Wilcock's wonderful The Hawk and the Dove series, with her same strong characters, and lessons for us. I appreciated we were spared the modern family; the novel plunged us right into monastery life.
I was immersed in that medieval monastic world but did miss Father Peregrine. This was another of Penelope Wilcock's wonderful The Hawk and the Dove series, with her same strong characters, and lessons for us. I appreciated we were spared the modern family; the novel plunged us right into monastery life.
March 24, 2025
A good story, but gives more to an interesting plot and loses the rhythm and prayer that gave the previous books their beauty. I will take my leave of the series here, mainly because it’s the last physical copy Jim gave me, but also because it lowkey ends with scandal (even if justified) and I liked the first three better.
January 2, 2012
Not going to lie - I was pretty disappointed with this fifth book in the Hawk and the Dove series. I've read all four of the other books in this series and enjoyed them; sadly the trend went spiraling downward by the time I had finished The Hour Before Dawn.
While the characters remained relatable, it was the plot I found to be lacking in my tastes. The majority of the plot centers around newly installed Abbot John's sister, Madeleine, who at the very beginning of the book is accused of being a witch and is brutally raped. John and Madeleine's mother is killed during the incident, and the home Madeleine and her mother share is torched. What killed me was the graphic telling of this incident. There was just way to many details, and I really didn't need that mental image stuck in my photographic mind. There were a few other graphic incidents, but I won't mention them for the sake not spoiling it for potential readers.
The last fourth of the book was better, as the characters began to reconcile and move past their own personal trials to get on with life. Still, I thought the apparent speed at which Madeleine began to act like her old self a tad unbelievable. After everything that had happened, you would think it would take longer to recover. All in all, I wasn't impressed with The Hour Before Dawn. I'll still keep an eye out for the sixth book, due to be published sometime in 2012, I hope it'll have a better plot line than the 5th did.
I received a free galley of this book from Crossway and Netgalley for this review. These opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review.
While the characters remained relatable, it was the plot I found to be lacking in my tastes. The majority of the plot centers around newly installed Abbot John's sister, Madeleine, who at the very beginning of the book is accused of being a witch and is brutally raped. John and Madeleine's mother is killed during the incident, and the home Madeleine and her mother share is torched. What killed me was the graphic telling of this incident. There was just way to many details, and I really didn't need that mental image stuck in my photographic mind. There were a few other graphic incidents, but I won't mention them for the sake not spoiling it for potential readers.
The last fourth of the book was better, as the characters began to reconcile and move past their own personal trials to get on with life. Still, I thought the apparent speed at which Madeleine began to act like her old self a tad unbelievable. After everything that had happened, you would think it would take longer to recover. All in all, I wasn't impressed with The Hour Before Dawn. I'll still keep an eye out for the sixth book, due to be published sometime in 2012, I hope it'll have a better plot line than the 5th did.
I received a free galley of this book from Crossway and Netgalley for this review. These opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review.
June 5, 2012
She did it again! This segment ended with a little "thud." But no matter. I have begun to assess these books with "tears per page." They are moving. This one deals with horrible circumstances and how the imperfect members of the faith community handle them together. Lovely.
February 7, 2017
Had to go back and re-read as I stopped to re=read her previous trilogy. A beautiful book though not for everybody. The themes she touches on in turn, touch me deeply.
November 1, 2017
This is another one of those books that I am in two minds about. I knew from before I read it that is was very controversial because of the subject matter and some of the content. Basically, it begins with an account of an attack by a group of drunken village men on the mother and sister of Brother John, Abbot of the fictional St Alcuin’s monastery in Yorkshire. The attack culminates in the women’s house being burned down, Madelaine’s John’s mother is accidentally killed and his sister very deliberately raped.
I do understand where the author was coming from with including these scenes, I really do. It resulted from a desire to explore the impact of emotional trauma as well as the struggle of Christians to reconcile their faith with the bad things that happen in the world, and to other Christians. I am not one of those people who thinks we should shy away from exploring difficult or painful subjects in Christian Fiction. In fact, I find such content less objectionable when it has a serious purpose then when it simply used to create drama.
However, I do object to the context in which the scenes in question was presented. It was made out that the villagers attacked Madelaine and her daughter because they were suspected of being ‘witches’ for being able to read, and knowing about herbalism. Later in the story, when a distraught John was considering pursuing legal action, it was claimed that this would only cause more trouble because a Sheriff would probably also suspect such a woman of being a witch.
Sorry, but I consider such claims to be patent nonsense, which only serves to perpetrate myths about history. There is plenty of evidence that Medieval women could read, and plenty of evidence that they owned books, including religious books and missals. Some women even wrote or translated religious books and were never suspected of ‘witchcraft’ for doing so.. It was entirely acceptable for women to be literate, and herbalism was a commonly known and widely accepted practice for both sexes.
I almost think that in some places, a false or misguided basis was being created from which to condemn supposedly sexist and misogynist attitudes which may not have even existed in the first place, or at least not have been so pervasive as was claimed. Finally, I was a little concerned about one scene in the monastery in which a monk referred to the spiritual resurrection of Christ. Church doctrine for much of the last 2000 years has held to a physical resurrection: only Gnostics believed it was spiritual.
Once I got past certain passages, I did find this book more enjoyable and I will certainly try to finish the series, but this instalment is not for the fainthearted or easily offended. Sadly, also, on a historical level the points detailed above prevent me from giving it a higher rating.
I was sent a paperback copy of this title from the publisher Lion Fiction upon my request. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
I do understand where the author was coming from with including these scenes, I really do. It resulted from a desire to explore the impact of emotional trauma as well as the struggle of Christians to reconcile their faith with the bad things that happen in the world, and to other Christians. I am not one of those people who thinks we should shy away from exploring difficult or painful subjects in Christian Fiction. In fact, I find such content less objectionable when it has a serious purpose then when it simply used to create drama.
However, I do object to the context in which the scenes in question was presented. It was made out that the villagers attacked Madelaine and her daughter because they were suspected of being ‘witches’ for being able to read, and knowing about herbalism. Later in the story, when a distraught John was considering pursuing legal action, it was claimed that this would only cause more trouble because a Sheriff would probably also suspect such a woman of being a witch.
Sorry, but I consider such claims to be patent nonsense, which only serves to perpetrate myths about history. There is plenty of evidence that Medieval women could read, and plenty of evidence that they owned books, including religious books and missals. Some women even wrote or translated religious books and were never suspected of ‘witchcraft’ for doing so.. It was entirely acceptable for women to be literate, and herbalism was a commonly known and widely accepted practice for both sexes.
I almost think that in some places, a false or misguided basis was being created from which to condemn supposedly sexist and misogynist attitudes which may not have even existed in the first place, or at least not have been so pervasive as was claimed. Finally, I was a little concerned about one scene in the monastery in which a monk referred to the spiritual resurrection of Christ. Church doctrine for much of the last 2000 years has held to a physical resurrection: only Gnostics believed it was spiritual.
Once I got past certain passages, I did find this book more enjoyable and I will certainly try to finish the series, but this instalment is not for the fainthearted or easily offended. Sadly, also, on a historical level the points detailed above prevent me from giving it a higher rating.
I was sent a paperback copy of this title from the publisher Lion Fiction upon my request. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
January 5, 2018
Wilcock again does an amazing job of exploring the complexity of the heart and human relationships. This book's subject matter was much more intense than her previous work. I loved the way character's stories providentially wove together as well as the beautiful picture of the healing grace found in ordinary rhythm, work, and even food. Her narrating of the inner thoughts of characters, is lovely. These books have a gentle instructive nature as I think they lead our hearts and minds in patterns of thinking about how the Gospel can and shoud manifest in our relationships. The one difficulty I had was the speed at which a very tramatized character seemed to recover. I don't think I woud have noticed if the dates had not so clearly been pointed out repeatedly. I understand though that the author was also trying to metaphorically tie the spiritual meaning of certain periods and days in the church calendar to elements of character development by having them coincide. In this respect the story was more poetic than realistic in its lapse of time.
October 31, 2020
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.
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.
December 16, 2023
In Penelope Wilcock’s fifth installment of The Hawk and Dove series, The Hour Before Dawn, abbot John learns his mother has been killed and his sister raped and left for dead after being accused of witchcraft. While coping with this unbearable burden Prior William asks him to search for his sole surviving Augustinian monk, Fr Oswald. Oswald is found blinded, gelded and his tongue cut out. Each of the three must find a new equilibrium within the monastery of St Alcuin. Bringing Madalene, John’s sister to the monastic campus poses its own problems. The human struggles and challenges to monastic life pose existential and religious questions of purpose, meaning and faith.
July 17, 2025
Wow one of those books that just pounds on your heart. This book gives courage to the suffering. This book is about resilience and its true source. This book is about the savagery of humanity and how to survive it. This book is about how to break and be healed.
***Trigger warning this book has a gang rape scene some readers have found the description too graphic. I didn’t find it gratuitous but it was hard to read.
***Trigger warning this book has a gang rape scene some readers have found the description too graphic. I didn’t find it gratuitous but it was hard to read.
May 5, 2019
You will appreciate this book more if you read the first 4 of the series in order first. Once again, Wilcock deals with difficult subjects with deep, rich insights. There are heart-breaking scenes, followed by hope and joy. There are great truths shared about healing, restoration, loving and sacrificial service, and what a real relationship with Christ is all about.
January 11, 2024
Each book in this series is beautiful and precious to me, but I found this one especially thoughtful and touching. Wilcock brings up hard questions--and she doesn't offer all the answers--but everything is grounded in a passionate love of Jesus Christ.
June 23, 2020
Very moving. I love all of the books in this series.
September 21, 2021
If I was a writer, I would want to pen this series. Beautiful theology, characters, plot. I am hooked.
November 7, 2021
A deep dive into trauma & grief, and the possibility of healing & life & love. I think this is more powerful than any textbook on the subject. Much to ponder on.
April 2, 2022
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.
May 3, 2024
I love these little books.
August 6, 2024
Another wonderful book in the series — each one has a beautiful theme and takeaway for me. Loved Father William’s conversion moment in this one.
December 26, 2011
"The world is always darkest the hour before the dawn." Many of us have either heard or read this particular saying and it is from this that the title is taken from and it is a very fitting title for the story. It is a story which the author explores the varying paths of grief and the only way to truly come out of it.
This is the fifth book of the series but can be read with minimal confusion on its own. It follows Abbot John and William, first as they travel to visit John's sister after her attack and then later as they go in search of Brother Oswald, one of Father Williams brothers from his old order. It is upon finding Brother Oswald that the path to happiness could finally be taken (you have to read the book if you want to find out why.)
As someone whose only knowledge of monasteries came from watching Sound of Music it was very nice to have it all spelled out so nicely both in the book and with extra explanations afterwards. Wilcock seems to have done real research into this topic and tells her story with ease. It is a deep book and one which shows how God can lead individuals to a place of healing. as explained in one of my favorite quotes of the novel:
"God is the Creator who goes about making us and remaking us even when our hearts are broken and our lives are shattered. He searches for every shard of who we once were and makes something new of all those pieces and His love."
In all honesty I probably won't go back and read the rest of the books in the series, but I don't regret spending my time in reading this. Thank you to Crossway Books for giving me a book for review.
This is the fifth book of the series but can be read with minimal confusion on its own. It follows Abbot John and William, first as they travel to visit John's sister after her attack and then later as they go in search of Brother Oswald, one of Father Williams brothers from his old order. It is upon finding Brother Oswald that the path to happiness could finally be taken (you have to read the book if you want to find out why.)
As someone whose only knowledge of monasteries came from watching Sound of Music it was very nice to have it all spelled out so nicely both in the book and with extra explanations afterwards. Wilcock seems to have done real research into this topic and tells her story with ease. It is a deep book and one which shows how God can lead individuals to a place of healing. as explained in one of my favorite quotes of the novel:
"God is the Creator who goes about making us and remaking us even when our hearts are broken and our lives are shattered. He searches for every shard of who we once were and makes something new of all those pieces and His love."
In all honesty I probably won't go back and read the rest of the books in the series, but I don't regret spending my time in reading this. Thank you to Crossway Books for giving me a book for review.
December 15, 2024
More mature topics, not graphic. As always, so many things to provoke thought.
Content considerations: rape, mutilation
Content considerations: rape, mutilation
November 12, 2016
The Hour before Dawn (The Hawk and the Dove #5)
by Penelope Wilcock
The Hour before Dawn is the fifth book in the series, The Hawk and the Dove. Penelope Wilcock paints the image and reality, that this world can be an awful, unkind place. This book follows the main characters in the preceding book, The Hardest Thing to Do. In this book, Abbot John finds out his sister has been raped and his mother is dead. The abbot then travels the emotional road of healing with his friend, Father William. (To learn more of their strong bond one should read the previous book) Father William has his own struggles as he finds a lost acquaintance, whom has been been physically and emotional battered, due to some of William's choices.
I enjoyed reading this book for the realistic events and feelings that the characters showed. But as the title implies, the dawn will come. Days will be dreary, but healing can be accomplished.
I recommend this book to those who are dealing with a loss or a great hurt and are looking for encouragement .
I received a free copy from the publisher. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.
by Penelope Wilcock
The Hour before Dawn is the fifth book in the series, The Hawk and the Dove. Penelope Wilcock paints the image and reality, that this world can be an awful, unkind place. This book follows the main characters in the preceding book, The Hardest Thing to Do. In this book, Abbot John finds out his sister has been raped and his mother is dead. The abbot then travels the emotional road of healing with his friend, Father William. (To learn more of their strong bond one should read the previous book) Father William has his own struggles as he finds a lost acquaintance, whom has been been physically and emotional battered, due to some of William's choices.
I enjoyed reading this book for the realistic events and feelings that the characters showed. But as the title implies, the dawn will come. Days will be dreary, but healing can be accomplished.
I recommend this book to those who are dealing with a loss or a great hurt and are looking for encouragement .
I received a free copy from the publisher. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.
November 22, 2011
If one has ever faced extreme grief, one can relate to the pain of the abbot John. At times things in life happen that seem impossible to overcome. This book proves that senseless acts of violence can bring destitute victims closer to each other and Christ. I really enjoyed looking into the life of monasteries and the bonding of the brothers involved. I enjoyed the themes of resurrection ans ascension. Just because you are down, it does not mean you are out. It's not over until God says it is, even if you think you cannot carry on.
November 12, 2015
The best part of this book is the discussions it fuels. The Hour Before Dawn takes an in depth look at how people deal with tragedy and faith. Although I didn't agree with some parts ( Times have changed since the 14th century :) ) there were some parts that were really inspiring. And most importantly, the book leaves you filled with hope. Thank you Penelope Wilcock for tackling some difficult issues and the encouragement. God Bless!
I won this book through a goodreads giveaway.
This book is available at ChristainBook.com
I won this book through a goodreads giveaway.
This book is available at ChristainBook.com
March 25, 2016
A rewarding read
Beautifully written and inspirational as it focusses on the depths of relationships which are finely tuned within the confines of a holy calling. Honest interchanges, personal insights, perceptive reflections on the agonies born within the soul as a result of cruelty at the hands of ignorant men. A truly rewarding read which needs to be read as part of the six part series to be best understood and appreciated. I can only commend the author for her skilful writing
Beautifully written and inspirational as it focusses on the depths of relationships which are finely tuned within the confines of a holy calling. Honest interchanges, personal insights, perceptive reflections on the agonies born within the soul as a result of cruelty at the hands of ignorant men. A truly rewarding read which needs to be read as part of the six part series to be best understood and appreciated. I can only commend the author for her skilful writing
November 7, 2013
My motto, when it comes to fiction, is typically, "I read dead people." But I have to say that Wilcock is one of my favorites--and she's still alive. This is the fifth book in the Hawk and Dove series and just as wonderful as the four previous ones. Wilcock's characters are dynamic and three dimensional. She tackles very difficult subject matter in a beautiful way. And she always brings it back to biblical virtue without being syrupy or preachy. I'm a huge fan!
January 19, 2016
The Hour Before Dawn was a good read with enough action to keep the reader interested. There were a few times the reading lagged and for that I only gave it four stars. If you are interested in abbeys and priories and religious orders in your reading you will find this an enjoyable read. It is a member of "The Hawk and the Dove" series by Penelope Wilcock.
I received this book free from Goodreads First Reads.
I received this book free from Goodreads First Reads.
November 28, 2015
I received this book from Goodreads giveaway.
The Hour Before Dawn was well written. I didn't like some of the details about the rape in the book. I did like the theme of the promise we all have of heaven. It has great accuracy of the 14th century monastery. If you love medieval mysteries, this is the book for you.
The Hour Before Dawn was well written. I didn't like some of the details about the rape in the book. I did like the theme of the promise we all have of heaven. It has great accuracy of the 14th century monastery. If you love medieval mysteries, this is the book for you.
June 17, 2016
This is the fifth in The Hawk and the Dove series. Abbott John is still new at his job when he gets tragic news regarding his family. William proves his worth, and another brother joins the monastery. The message in this one is strong about handling adversities and relying on God to do so. I was a little uncomfortable with the ending, but I suppose that is the reality of monastic life.
February 14, 2012
I love this author! I found myself writing long passages from this book in my journal. There are so many insights into healing after suffering, being a friend to the grieving, and moving on after a crisis.
October 27, 2015
I won this book at a giveaway. This is really a good story, in the darkest moments there is still so much gentleness. The characters are so 'human' with all their faults and doubts but find their way out of the hard times.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews