Consider The Ravens: On Contemporary Hermit Life

Book Review ; " CONSIDER THE RAVENS "( A Study on contemporary hermit life) by Paul and Karen FredetteConsider The Ravens is a well researched and documented study on contemporary hermit life. It is obvious many people are called to this way of life today and Consider The Ravens describes how many hermits and solitaries deal with living this life style in a contemporary society. The book describes the solitary and hermit life very well even discussing private, physical as well as the social economics of the hermit life and without blame discribes the maturation process just by including many interviews with hermits. It includes a discussion on the validity and reasons why many individuals consider and follow this way of life. I congratulate this author because they have treated this subject in a (delicate) manner in keeping with the true calling of the hermit; that is to remain hidden in obscurity and yet make a profound contribution to society of simply by being. The author a Christian hermit herself covers many areas of eremitic life specific enough to be both encouraging and a witness to those who called to the eremitic life today. For me this book is very much a confirmation of a life style that God is again calling individuals to today.

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Lot of great gems in this book that I am sure will be helpful to me as I push forward on my spiritual path. Only negative things I can say is that the book can be repetitive and there were some chapters I had to push through because they seemed to repeat things already said. Lots of humor in this book and much knowledge on the way of the Hermit. Plan on reading Ordinary Monks and Mystics as a compliment to this book.Also the Christian angle of this book may turn off some, but as someone whom is not christian I had little difficulty in appreciating what value this book bestowed.

This book is a marvelous account of the variety of solitary life today. It's written through a Western religious lens, but the core ideas about living a solitary, contemplative life transcend culture. This book made me feel affirmed for my approach to life, and understood. These are important gifts.

Introductory. My first reading of the hermit life. It helped to read that the hermit life is a calling. The author trusted that the reader was well along his/her path and recognition of their calling and not given to a “romantic” view. I truly appreciated having found this little book,

I bought this book without realizing it was about the Christian tradition of hermits. I thought it was a much more general focus. I have to say that I'm quite disappointed, but I'm hoping that there might be some good stuff in this book for me despite my disinterest in Christian tradition. It's my own fault for not reading the reviews well enough before I bought it. It's really hard to read now, not having expected it to include things like "Vows of Celibacy." Just a heads up to anyone else considering this book: If you're not looking for a text concerning the Christian spirituality of hermitude, this book is probably not for you.

I have been in following ravens bread website, for a number of years, and enjoyed this book as it distilled the good advice of that site. A great benefit of the book is that is clearly explores the vocation of hermit.

Good insight on eremetic lifestyle. Not much insight into solitude vs loneliness. I still don't understand people who are happy with prolonged lack of contact with others.

This is an excellent guide to the Christian eremetical life. It is written by two modern day hermit's from the US (the Americanisms would normally grate on me , but the book is so good ner a heckle was raised.) If I were to recommend only one book(and I have read many )for the would be solitary/hermit in the modern world it would be this one.It's style is clear and crisp. As well as a basic background to hermit vocations in history it deals with modern hermits in urban settings, wilderness hermits and hermits of all denominations (with reference to other religions with similar traditions). The adivice is practical and shot through with a passionate spirituality and obvious conviction that this is a calling as needed and rewarding (and arduous/painfull) today as it ever has been.It manages to avoid the excess intelectualisation of the solitary life that some infuse their writings with and presents a human and accessible and above all passionate guide. I for one congratualte the authors. Well worth the read if this topic stirs your heart.

An important work on the dynamic of modern eremitical lifestyle in the Anglosphere. Includes spiritual, ecclesiastical, sociological and legal aspects of this misunderstood vocation. Although principally addressing the the Roman Catholic experience, it includes contributions and insights from Anglican and non-christian religious hermits. Recommended for seminary libraries, bishops and their designates responsible for canonical hermits within their dioceses. The editor is a hermit.

Paul and Karen Fredette invite the reader to enter a hidden world of prayer and spiritual discovery with insight and understanding, enabling us to hear from the sentinels of silence. We glimpse the world of devotion and humility where holiness and humanity are inextricably joined.. This is a book of hope and encouragement to persist in prayer and to live that prayer as fully and deeply as possible. A wonderful insight.

Bought as gift for a happy recipient.

Outstanding book by Karen who walks the talk.