I’ve loved every one of this series and grown somewhat attached to the characters of St. Alcuin’s. I shall miss them all.

The books have a warmth and honesty to them which makes them a pleasure to read. Kindness, joy and simplicity abound in these wonderful stories.

Any suggestions for a similar series most welcome. ( )

While many readers might hesitate to pick up the ninth book in a series, this story holds up as a read-alone. Admittedly, there are a few choice details thrown in to satisfy loyal series readers who have follow her saga of the monks at St Alcuin's monastery in Yorkshire during Chaucerian times from earlier installments.

Fans of Kathleen Norris' Cloister Walk, will find similar themes centering around the very human struggles of those in religious community. In this fictional account, Wilcock skillfully weaves the inner worlds and viewpoints of multiple characters - the abbot, a runaway novice, a married former brother, a cook, a terrible chess player, a harried sacristan and many others – over the period of a monastic day.

The most compelling reason to read A Day and a Life, however, is to experience the gentle drama of the inner struggles of the characters. As young Colin, who is about to join the brothers, puts it, “He had come to see what makes Saint Alcuin's such a special place to be is a mix of respect and kindness, a practical compassion that goes gently in dealing with a man's ordinary frailty, clothing him with dignity again and again ...”

To spend a day with the brothers is like pouring soothing salve on a sunburned soul. I highly recommend this book. ( )

This is Book Nine in the Hawk and Dove series by Penelope Wilcock. Set in a monastery, the story line follows the lives of the monks who are members of the monastic community. The duties, concerns, and characteristics of each monk are described and considered, and are set within the ebb and flow of the daily "hours" of praise and prayer in the monastery. However, the thread that runs through the book is the concern for a missing brother, a young member who is not yet professed. The reason for his going missing and how this issue is solved reveal the only too human fears and failings of human beings. The "day" of the title refers to the journey through a monastic day. The "life" refers to the life of the young missing brother. I will tell how it ends, so as to avoid a "spoiler" here. I enjoyed this book as much as the others in this series. I received this book as an Early Reviewer title. ( )

A look into the lives and thoughts of a group of monks at the St. Alcuin monastery in early England. The author shifts between the various characters as they go about their daily tasks and gives the reader an excellent sense of how each man has an effect on the other members of the community. The best word I can find to describe this story is peaceful. The writing style is calming and there are not as many altrications in this, the conclusion to the series, as occurred in earlier volumes. And yet, so much is transpiring that it is difficult to believe it all takes place in a day. A recommended read to escape from the ugly side of humanity into a world of spirituality, forgiveness, and faith. ( )

An interesting look at what it takes to run a monastery and the crises of faith that even the most devoted people can face. ( )