Children's Fairy Tale

The Hawk and the Dove

by Penelope Wilcock

176 pages · First published 1990

In a twentieth-century English household, fifteen-year-old Melissa listens as her mother shares stories handed down through generations about the Benedictine monks of St. Alcuin's Abbey in fourteenth-century Yorkshire. At the heart of these tales is Father Peregrine, a proud and demanding abbot whose religious name, Columba, means “dove”—an ironic contrast to his hawklike temperament. When a brutal, revenge-driven assault leaves him permanently disabled, Peregrine must confront his dependence on the very brothers he once struggled to lead with compassion. Through everyday conflicts, failures, friendships, and acts of sacrificial service, the monks discover that God's grace works through imperfect people and that humility often requires greater strength than authority. Told through a collection of interconnected stories, this contemplative Christian historical novel explores forgiveness, spiritual growth, suffering, and the transforming power of love. Readers who appreciate authentic medieval settings, memorable characters, thoughtful explorations of faith, and stories of hope amid hardship will find a moving introduction to The Hawk and the Dove series.