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The Dean's Watch (Cathedral Trilogy #3)
The cathedral Dean, Adam Ayscough, holds a deep love for his parishioners, but he is held captive by an irrational shyness and intimidating manner. He strikes up an unlikely friendship with Isaac Peabody, an obscure watchmaker who does not think he or God have anything in common. This leads to an unusual spiritual awakening that touches the entire community.
Paperback, 383 pages
Published
January 1st 1991
by Servant Publications
(first published January 1st 1960)
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This is one of my favorite books. I have read it several times and love it more with each experience. It is the story of the Dean of a cathedral city in England, set around the year 1865. He is old and ill. He has literally worn himself out in the service of the citizens of the city. He is not well liked by the populace. He has ruffled some feathers in his eagerness to make improvements to the town. Through the repair of his watch, he makes friends with Isaac, the clockmaker. Their friendship wi...more
Again, a lovely book. A luminescent book. Goudge's ability to paint with words and light at the same time is moving and engaging. These are not plot driven books; they are character driven. The romance here is between the author and humanity. Goudge's characters are full, complex, flawed—people you can really love. If you are a reader who is looking for the kind of cheap romance you get in the dark, paranormal current stuff, you won't be interested in this - it demands too much of the heart and...more
Jul 19, 2010
Jan
marked it as to-read
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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I try to read this book every year just before Christmas. Isaac the clock maker accidentally puts a watch paper in the watch case of the Dean of the Cathedral, Adam Asycough. The watch paper is inscribed "I labour here with all my might, to tell the time by day or night, Then you a lesson take by me, and serve thy God as I serve thee." Inspired by the quotation, the Dean leaves the comfort and isolation of his study to meet the townspeople where they live and work. It's an inspiring story of lov...more
I think I may have a new favorite author! I have now read three Elizabeth Goudge books, and they have all been amazing! Her ability to create characters I love is beyond compare, but the aspect of her writing that takes my breath away is how warmly and lovingly she writes about all of her characters! She lavishes love upon those individuals who I think are beyond redemption, and then she redeems them. The commitment to love is so overwhelming as I read her books; I am driven to Scripture, to Chr...more
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I read this book some years ago but forgot the title. Finally remembered the title so I can add it to my bookshelf!
Lovely book. Goudge has a gentle style of storytelling and a way of immersing you in the hearts of the characters that made this book a delight to read. It was like winding down every time I picked it up, but certainly not boring. Lovely, lovely book.
Lovely book. Goudge has a gentle style of storytelling and a way of immersing you in the hearts of the characters that made this book a delight to read. It was like winding down every time I picked it up, but certainly not boring. Lovely, lovely book.
The Dean’s Watch, is another fairytale type book asking the simple question: “What would happen if we went out of our comfort zone and loved those around us?” Very realistic because it’s never easy to love those who are fearful or angry. But like a fairytale because rarely does everyone respond in kind in real life. But, I liked that the book made me think about my own life and where I have fallen down and where I can do better. It’s nice to have examples, like the ones in the book, to look up t...more
This book, for me, is one of the 'perfect' ones - one of the ones that touch you and change you, that you will never forget, that you absolutely have to have, physically, to dip into from time to time. One of the books that has bits of words in them that you refer to.
I love it. For me it's perfect.
I love it. For me it's perfect.
A story about an old clockmaker, a Dean of a City, and several other people. Misc feel goodism's about "wuv, sweet wuv" and how everything would just be better if we all wuvved eachother. I don't know why I keep reading Goudge's books. They tend to irritate me with their rose tinted outlook.
A simple clockmaker contentedly pursuing his craft in southern England of the 1870s takes time to insert small "watch papers" into the covers of some of the watches he's repaired. This seemingly insignificant action sets into motion a tide of spiritual change among many of the residents of this cathedral town. Elizabeth Goudge paints a vivid portrait of the many people in this book whose lives are woven together by the power of love put into action. A beautiful story; HIGHLY recommended!
A strange book with separate chapters for each of the characters as they are introduced, and one chapter telling the entire history of a particular cathedral in England just as the background for the story. Totally wholesome reading, though stilted. I found it hard to suspend disbelief.
A remarkable book, full of beautifully rendered descriptions. A calm, contemplative study of an ordinary man's struggles with life and work and relationships.
Here's a good review, in much greater depth than mine:
http://www.elizabethgoudge.org/Postin...
Here's a good review, in much greater depth than mine:
http://www.elizabethgoudge.org/Postin...
Oct 18, 2009
Sandie
added it
First of all, I did not know this was part of a trilogy until just now! Doesn't matter - great story, gently told. Also love learning about things through fiction, in this case a lesson in horology, or watchmaking. My first Elizabeth Goudge, but definitely not my last.
am very fond of her books set beautifully in historical contexts, with vivid characters both good and bad. even when there's great conflict, the book is peace-filled, which seems mysterious but is very soothing!
It is difficult to describe the sense of history, the portraiture of characters, the magic, the humour that are all to be found in Elizabeth Goudge's books. She was a great natural story-teller. She also had a profound sense of spirituality that gently pervades her work. It doesn't control or advise, it is simply present. This book is an old friend.
Elizabeth Goudge snuggles next to Raymond Chandler and Eric Ambler on my "happy reading" shelf.
Goudge is inspirational, writes stories of redemption and deliverance -- She's a great escape novelist for me.
Goudge is inspirational, writes stories of redemption and deliverance -- She's a great escape novelist for me.
It took me a while to get into this book because of the depth of detail in the first few chapters, but once I did, I really enjoyed the well developed characters and beautiful themes in this story.
The Dean's Watch is one of my all time fav book. There are some books that you read, stop for a second look up & feel you are in church praying. This book does it for me.
This is one of my favourite novels. It's a little slow to get going but once you are absorbed in the characters it picks up and you will find yourself drawn into their lives.
1960. Quite an interesting book set in maybe Ely in the 1870s, a city with a great cathedral overlooking the Fen to the east. A clockmaker, lots of descriptions of famous clocks, and the Dean who suddenly takes on human kindness and saintly behavior in his last few months of life. In a way a feel-good, believe-in-the-goodness-of-man story, but with enough psychological insight to make it credible. Good description of time and place.
Most of the good deeds in the book are made possible by Money, b...more
Most of the good deeds in the book are made possible by Money, b...more
This is my favorite Goudge book. The love of one's art, whatever that may be and the worth of it with or without recognition underlies the whole book.
I can't decide if this is my favorite Elizabeth Goudge or if it is The Scent of Water.
I love this author and have read most of her books.
I love this author and have read most of her books.
Love this book, and several more of Goudge's. It is one I revisit every few years.
Gorgeous writing, wonderful characterization, gentle plot.
Gorgeous writing, wonderful characterization, gentle plot.
I read this every Christmas season. A wonderful story. Not all of Goudge's books are good - they tend to the mystical. But this one is a good read.
So many wonderful character and lessons in this book, I think it is possible to read it over and over and get something new each time.
Elizabeth Goudge was one of my favorite authors growing up. I don't remember how often I reread 'the Little White Horse' and I was so pleased to find that her books are still out there. I read 'The Dean's Watch' as a Nook Book, but it is one of those lovely books that you really want in print. It was a lovely story, covering all human emotions from hatred to love, from fear to joy, and all in a thoroughly English setting, of course.
I read this book nearly every Christmastime. It never fails to fill me with wonder and the sense of something time-warn in its integrity.
One of my favorites. Goudge draws two eccentric personalities in loving detail and gracefully shows their transformations.
One of my all time favourite books - why - because my mum recommended Elizabeth Goudge and this is my favourite.
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Elizabeth de Beauchamp Goudge was an English author of novels, short stories and children's books.
Born in Wells, she moved with her family to Ely when her father, a clergyman, was transferred there. When her father, Henry Leighton Goudge, was made Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford, the family left Ely and went to Christ Church, Oxford.
Goudge's first book, The Fairies' Baby and Other Stories (...more
More about Elizabeth Goudge...
Born in Wells, she moved with her family to Ely when her father, a clergyman, was transferred there. When her father, Henry Leighton Goudge, was made Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford, the family left Ely and went to Christ Church, Oxford.
Goudge's first book, The Fairies' Baby and Other Stories (...more
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