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meganstreb's review
4.0
Great descriptions of setting and characters, very short read. Always a pleasure.
git_r_read's review
5.0
This was a nice grouping of short stories and I especially liked the backstory of Brother Cadfael when he was a soldier. He's always had this sense of doing the right thing for those in need even when he didn't wear the monk's robe.
I can definitely recommend this book, this series and this author.
I can definitely recommend this book, this series and this author.
eososray's review against another edition
4.0
Three short stories detailing Cadfaels journey to become a monk and the start of his mystery solving career.
Good stories for fans of the series but not something to start with if you're just beginning.
Good stories for fans of the series but not something to start with if you're just beginning.
crazygoangirl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
This is a collection of short stories and a prequel to Peter’s Brother Cadfael series that explains how this enigmatic crusader became a monk. I enjoyed Peters’ introduction in which she compares Cadfael’s acceptance of monkhood to Indians becoming ‘sanyasis’, and forsaking worldly life and pleasures. I hadn’t thought to compare the two and was struck by the aptness of the comparison.
The first story, The Light On The Road To Woodstock, follows Cadfael at a crossroads in his life, when returning to England from war in Normandy, he must embark on an uncertain future. As he contemplates a future course of action, he displays his honour and integrity toward both his employer Roger Mauduit and Prior Heribert of the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul whom he rescues from captivity. When he makes his final decision, it feels inevitable and destined.
In the second story titled The Price of Light, Brother Cadfael must find a pair of silver candlesticks that were donated to the Abbey by a rich, greedy & selfish landowner Hamo Fitzhamon in an attempt to curry favour from God and his disciples. He is accompanied by his young and frivolous wife, her maid Elfgiva and their grooms. The candlesticks are stolen on Christmas Eve from the altar and Cadfael once again uses his knowledge of human nature to serve justice! The story is simple enough but once again, Peters improves it with her captivating prose and narrative style. Her characterisations are brilliant and memorable, as Elfgiva is in this one 😊
In the third and final story entitled Eye Witness, Brother Cadfael must once again solve a theft - this time of the Abbey rents. Brother William whose job it is to collect them has been waylaid, robbed, attacked and thrown into the river to drown. His son Edward is in debt and not on the best terms with his father. He has an alibi however and Cadfael joins forces with the local sergeant to lay a trap and catch the thief. He uses the oldest trick in the book - hence the title! Moral of the story - Appearances are deceptive!
Brilliantly and succinctly written, Peters is as good with short stories as she is with her longer books! Love her subtle, nuanced writing and how she keeps her characters real and relatable. There are no overly dramatic crises of faith and obsessively devoted disciples (well, maybe some but not many). Instead there is a thread of practicality and common sense that runs through the stories where each character is doing his or her best to survive and thrive often against great odds. She always has me rooting for the underdog and I love that she does it with grace and dignity. I’m so very happy to have discovered her and this series. I don’t feel like I ever want to leave the Abbey or Cadfael’s side!
The first story, The Light On The Road To Woodstock, follows Cadfael at a crossroads in his life, when returning to England from war in Normandy, he must embark on an uncertain future. As he contemplates a future course of action, he displays his honour and integrity toward both his employer Roger Mauduit and Prior Heribert of the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul whom he rescues from captivity. When he makes his final decision, it feels inevitable and destined.
In the second story titled The Price of Light, Brother Cadfael must find a pair of silver candlesticks that were donated to the Abbey by a rich, greedy & selfish landowner Hamo Fitzhamon in an attempt to curry favour from God and his disciples. He is accompanied by his young and frivolous wife, her maid Elfgiva and their grooms. The candlesticks are stolen on Christmas Eve from the altar and Cadfael once again uses his knowledge of human nature to serve justice! The story is simple enough but once again, Peters improves it with her captivating prose and narrative style. Her characterisations are brilliant and memorable, as Elfgiva is in this one 😊
In the third and final story entitled Eye Witness, Brother Cadfael must once again solve a theft - this time of the Abbey rents. Brother William whose job it is to collect them has been waylaid, robbed, attacked and thrown into the river to drown. His son Edward is in debt and not on the best terms with his father. He has an alibi however and Cadfael joins forces with the local sergeant to lay a trap and catch the thief. He uses the oldest trick in the book - hence the title! Moral of the story - Appearances are deceptive!
Brilliantly and succinctly written, Peters is as good with short stories as she is with her longer books! Love her subtle, nuanced writing and how she keeps her characters real and relatable. There are no overly dramatic crises of faith and obsessively devoted disciples (well, maybe some but not many). Instead there is a thread of practicality and common sense that runs through the stories where each character is doing his or her best to survive and thrive often against great odds. She always has me rooting for the underdog and I love that she does it with grace and dignity. I’m so very happy to have discovered her and this series. I don’t feel like I ever want to leave the Abbey or Cadfael’s side!
naluju's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
maplessence's review against another edition
3.0
Ever wonder about Brother Cadfael's past before this good man joined the Benedictine order? Be careful what you wish for!
I thought all three of these short stories would refer to the good brother's pre- monastic past,but fortunately only the first one does. I say fortunately as A Light on the Road to Woodstock is a very half hearted affair. It gives the appearance of being written to satisfy the curiosity of Brother Cadfael's fans & I think Peters enjoyed writing it as little as I enjoyed reading it. This slight tale reveals very little, the "mystery" is very easy to guess. I read this story twice, convinced I had missed something. I hadn't 2★
The Price of Light on the other hand is as satisfying as a short story mystery can be. Well drawn characters good narrative description, plausible resolution. 5★
Eye Witness Not quite as good as the above, but wittier and a pleasure to read. 4★
Rounding the overall book to 3.5★
I thought all three of these short stories would refer to the good brother's pre- monastic past,but fortunately only the first one does. I say fortunately as A Light on the Road to Woodstock is a very half hearted affair. It gives the appearance of being written to satisfy the curiosity of Brother Cadfael's fans & I think Peters enjoyed writing it as little as I enjoyed reading it. This slight tale reveals very little, the "mystery" is very easy to guess. I read this story twice, convinced I had missed something. I hadn't 2★
The Price of Light on the other hand is as satisfying as a short story mystery can be. Well drawn characters good narrative description, plausible resolution. 5★
Eye Witness Not quite as good as the above, but wittier and a pleasure to read. 4★
Rounding the overall book to 3.5★
judyward's review against another edition
4.0
I have read and enjoyed several Brother Cadfael books and wondered what it was in his life that led Cadfael to become a Benedictine monk rather late in his life. This book answers many of those questions through three short stories that are a wonderful addition to the canon of Brother Cadfael.
marilynsaul's review against another edition
5.0
It was a nice prequel, but, oh, the illustrations were so horrible!!!