Confession of Brother Haluin: The Fifteenth Chronicle of Brother Cadfael of the Benedictine Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, at Strewsbury

Hard core Cadfaelians may find this particular story too simple as you can pretty much from the beginning assumes what is about to happen. Yet Ellis Peters still keeps her writing style and has points to make. She will keep you off balance so you are not sure that you know the answer. In an interview on the DVD of Brother Cadfael - A Morbid Taste for Bones (1994), Ellis peters said that because they have trouble adapting her stories for video, which she would attempt to simplify the stories.

Although I have read the book and am sad that they did not make a video of this journey, I must say that Stephen Thorne's reading gives an added dimension to the story allowing you to race ahead or contemplate the past as he make the characters come alive with his unique voice for each.

This of course is book 15 in the series and so many things have been said, does not need to be said again. So lets hear the confession of brother Haluin and sojourn trough 12th century England with him as he takes a journey of the soul.

Love can be a beautiful but terrible thing (3/3 people found this helpful)

Ellis Peters gives us another lesson on emotions - love can be beautiful and terrible, love can be forbidden, love can become hatred. Amazingly, we can find this in the Abbey of St Peter and the confession of Brother Haluin but this confession is only the beginning and Brother Cadfael will have to help two young lovers, so they won't suffer the fate of two young lovers of the past who were victims of love and hate. Beauty and age are another underlying theme and never Ellis Peters got so close to the sins of the flesh and mind.

A mystery of twists, turns, and a surprise ending. (2/2 people found this helpful)

Sometimes I can figure out "who done it," but not this one. It keeps you hooked until the end. A monk who has been with the order for 18 years is seriously injured, and given Last Rights. He wants to give a final confession: That he killed his former lover and their unborn child! Alas, he eventually recovers from his injuries, although permenantly crippled. He goes in search of the girl's mother to confess to her and ask forgiveness. He goes on foot, with crutches, accompanied by Brother Cadfael. The story doesn't become an strange mystery until he arrives at his destination. Then, you're on the edge of your seat until all the questions are answered. A very good book, as are all of Ellis Peters' Cadfael stories.

Not the best, but remains, I confess, a worthwhile read. (1/2 people found this helpful)

A tight read, but a very predictable plot. The strength and joy of it are Peters's prose and characterizations.

My favorite yet, a true tale of redemption. (1/1 people found this helpful)

I was deeply impressed by the book. I really like the fact that English monasticism of the early 12th century is presented in a positive light and the characters are so human. Typically, monks are presented as irrelevant to understanding the human condition. Here, Ellis Peters give us a glimpse of a very positive "alternative lifestyle The note of redemption so common in this series was especially striking here. Through unbelievable horrors, strength for good arises.

Confession of Brother Haluin: The Fifteenth Chronicle of Brother Cadfael of the Benedictine Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, at Strewsbury

Ellis Peters

Reader Reviews:

Confession is good for the soul (3/3 people found this helpful)

Love can be a beautiful but terrible thing (3/3 people found this helpful)

A mystery of twists, turns, and a surprise ending. (2/2 people found this helpful)

Not the best, but remains, I confess, a worthwhile read. (1/2 people found this helpful)

My favorite yet, a true tale of redemption. (1/1 people found this helpful)

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