This was told in two timelines. The first is a "modern" story of a teenage girl and her family. Her mother tells her true stories of her ancestors, passed down through the years. Those stories are about a monk, Peregrine, and are the second timeline.

While I enjoyed hearing about the teenage girl's youngest sister, Cecily, because she reminded me of some toddlers I know, I didn't much see the point in this format, as there wasn't a plot or anything in this first bit. Truly, the only thing that ties the stories together is the bloodline.

The stories about Peregrine and the other monks were more or less interesting, but there were so many monks to keep track of in such a short book - that was annoying. Also, God's name is frequently used in vain. This always bothers me, but especially here because it was the monks misusing the name, and it was written in a way that implied this was totally normal.

I probably will not be continuing with the trilogy. ( )

In the guise of a mother telling stories to her teenaged daughter, the reader is treated to a series of stories about the monks living in a monastery during the 14th century. The stories center around the arrival of a new Abbot - Father Peregrine - who the monks find cold and even somewhat harsh, though he runs the monastery well. Then he is brutally attacked one evening by enemies of his father. Reduced to total dependence on the other monks, Father Peregrine learns humility but also begins to open up to the other brothers and share his burdens with them. The rest of the stories illustrate various lessons that the good Father and the other monks learn as they work through conflicts with one another and the various challenges of life. The stories are vividly told, heartwarming, and the lessons imparted may cause give the reader much to think about. Those that love gentle stories that show the warmth of community and the struggles of living the Christ like life will should read this book and it's sequels as soon as possible. ( )

I received a copy of this book from Library Thing Early Reviewers.
Father Peregrine's name in religion is Father Columba, but for the first months of his tenure as Abbot, he resembles more the hawk than the dove. A brutal assault (part of a vendetta against his family) leaves him permanently disabled and in need of help from his brothers. He must humble himself to accept their kindness and, in doing so, learns to be more gentle with their shortcomings and forgiving of his own. Told as a series of tales passed down in a family, the reader instinctively hurries through the modern preamble to get to the monks' tales. There are some lovely evocations of monastic peace, the old monks dozing in the sun, for instance, and some surprisingly rowdy scenes of conflict as the diverse character of the monks leads to conflict and eventual resolution. A gentle tale and a hopeful view of humans' potential for love and forgiveness. ( )

I don't know how to describe this book. I thought it might be religious, or a medieval mystery, or some combination of the two. What it is, is gentle. A series of short stories retold by a woman whose mother passed the stories onto her from generations past in her family. stories about a group of brothers in a monastic setting. Each story kind of sets a life lesson before us without beating us over the head with it. I came to love each of these brothers, especially Father Peregrine the Abbot, with his hawk-like looks but his dove-like gentleness. I can't wait to read more in this series. A calming, gentle work. Really surprised me how much I enjoyed this!! ( )

I enjoyed these short stories about the monks at St. Alcuin's monastery. They particularly represent a picture of the abbot,and how his character develops over time. I also enjoyed the vignettes of the individual monks. The stories are set in a contemporary setting, within the idea of a mother telling long-cherished family stories to her daughter. I also liked this method of setting the stories, with a sort of parallel reality amongst the characters. ( )