Customer Reviews

Consider the Ravens: On Contemporary Hermit Life

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This book is too easily overlooked in a market glutted with self-help volumes. It's about hermits, for heaven's sake. What good are they? one might ask. We can safely assume it is not about self help. It is, in fact, about self-abandonment -- the spiritual path of emptiness.

Have you ever been tempted to ask "If the gospel and religion so good why do I feel so bad?" "How can I learn to live with just questions and learn to take responsibility for my life?"

"Retail" religion no longer serves great numbers of people seeking a deeper, personal experience of the Divine. The contemplative path is appearing, especially to those of mature years, inviting a first step or two toward releasing the soul's wandering joy. Church busy-ness must be set aside in favor of responding to a mysterious yearning, to time alone, to a call from within to rest from conventional labors.

The authors have "black belts" in solitude, reflection, prayer and what it means to heal the world by abiding attentively in the heart of it all. This is not another counterfeit movement. I don't ever expect to see them peddling their wares on "Oprah."

As a teacher in a university, I buy and read a lot of books. Most are academic, fill with more facts and figures to impress colleagues. This is my first Amazon review ever because this book is really different, contemporary and practical. If solitude is summoning you, get this book. Tolkien nailed it when he said, "All who wonder are not lost."

There is a dearth of contemporary literature on the lived lifestyles of hermits, both canonical (Canon 603) and non-canonical [="official and unofficial"]. Catholic vocations directors approached by those wanting information or discerning eremitical vocations are sometimes caught flat-footed: having little or no notion of how the rule, vows and spirituality of a hermit work "in real life".

"Consider the Ravens", by Paul A. Fredette and Karen Karper Fredette, (the editors of the English-language international quarterly newsletter for hermits, "Raven's Bread" ) gives a realistic look at various forms modern eremitical life can take, with emphasis on Catholic hermits in the United States--both religious and lay, rural and urban, canonical and non-canonical. It gives valuable insights--obtained by survey-- on the psychology, formation, spirituality, and challenges of those who live the contemplative vocation as "a religious order of one."

"Consider the Ravens" is recommended not only for those discerning a vocation as a hermit, but also for diocesian vocations offices around the country. It would also be a valuable addition to Seminary libraries, as a resource for spiritual directors who may have the responsibility of being a Bishop's delegated superior for a canonical hermit.

The author of this book is in a unique position to write about this topic. She has lived as a hermit and is now editor of a quarterly newsletter for hermits. She distributed a questionnaire to readers of the newsletter and shares the results of those responses throughout the book. This way readers obtain not only her specific experience with this lifestyle but also what this choice has been like for others.

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.

This is a wonderful book for anyone who experiences a desire for silence and solitude. It's already helped me, and I'm only up to CHAPTER TWO!

Book Review ;
" CONSIDER THE RAVENS "( A Study on contemporary hermit life) by Paul and Karen Fredette
Consider 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.

I wanted to buy this book but in reviewing the author's page/website, I found that it had not been updated since 2008. Also, the email address given for contacting in regards to a newsletter could not be validated. Authenticity is very important this day and age. If anyone has info, I would appreciate it.