A simple novella with an unexpected outcome.

Upon arrival at a rural monastery Brother Ambrosius meets Benedicta, the shunned and reviled daughter of the local hangman. Seeing it as his divine duty to protect her he embarks on a friendship which is a source of contempt for both his superiors and the local community.

I originally only decided to read this book because it was short and I didn't have a lot of time but I enjoyed it far more than I expected.