Book Description: His mother wanted him to be a monk... His father wanted him to be a man... A priest tempts him to pursue power... But Colin must find his own way.
After his mother’s tragic death, seventeen-year-old Colin Hay is so consumed with anger that he tries to kill his cruel father. Running from these tormenting desires and his home, he seeks the protection and cleansing of the Glastonbury monastery, at a time when King Henry VIII is closing monasteries all over England.
But Colin’s past has followed him to Glastonbury. As he now pursues forgiveness and salvation, Colin is conflicted by the doctrines he learns at the monastery and the grace he receives from a local family with a forbidden English Bible. And then there is a quick-tempered priest whose lust for power threatens to compromise Glastonbury Abbey, and to destroy the astonishing treasure it holds—the Holy Grail.
My Review: LeAnne Hardy writes a wonderful, historical novel in Glastonbury Tor. Before beginning this novel I confess that I had to look up Glastonbury Tor. I wasn't familiar with what Glastonbury Tor meant but I found out that this is no ordinary place; in fact, it is considered to be a holy place where people go and after climbing up the hill they are different people as they come down the hill chanting and singing....maybe not changed people but definitely "enlightened" and seemingly happier.
As I began reading Glastonbury Tor my heart ached for Colin and his mom. Colin's father is a wicked, selfish man who only wants to satisfy his own desires.
Colin never really knew his father and then a tragedy strikes. Colin runs away seeking something that he's never known.
The language and descriptions of the book took me back to Medieval times. Times when people had to seek the Good and that is exactly what Colin does.
He has a "coming of age transformation." He seeks the truth trying to rid himself of the the terrible anger he has against his own father. An anger he feels may consume him.
Colin is counseled by Father David to make his way to Glastonbury. Father David tells Colin that he has the gift of learning and the monks at Glastonbury can teach him more than ,he, Father David knows.
So, Colin begins his life's journey. However, upon reaching Glastonbury, Colin is told by the Abbot that he may stay as long as he needs for a spiritual retreat.
The story continues and the "simplicity" of the unlearned mind is also revealed in this story. As "the great library was sold, piece by piece. Few outside of the abbey valued reading, and one day I saw customers leaving the fishmonger's with purchases wrapped in illuminated missal that had been laboriously copied before their great-gradsires were born." (p. 174) Even though people were quite uneducated it was the "voice" of the educated who saved and carried on the work so that others could learn.
Of course, there is a bit of romance in this lovely read. God and the Holy Word are incorporated into this truly great story allowing the reader to see how God works all things for our good!
This 5 star read flows allowing the reader to "cross over" into another time and another place.
If you're a history buff and love to read of days gone by then don't miss this great read!
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*This book was provided for review by Kregel Publications*
About the Author:
LeAnne Hardy has traveled the world responding to God's call to be a missionary, a call that has taken her to Africa, South America, and Eastern Europe. The diverse settings and plots in her books have been inspired by her real-life encounters there. Many of the stories and scenes from her books come from her family's experiences on the mission field or are based on true stories of others.
Thank you, Tammy. I truly felt exhilarated sitting near the top of the Tor on the anniversary of the abbot's death, singing Graham Kent's Knowing You. That song had become my theme as I wrote this book. Sadly, many who climb the Tor today are searching for some New Age version of enlightenment, not the Christ whose power and glory I wanted to show in this story. I hope your readers enjoy it.
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