IN THE COMPANY OF OTHERS, By Jan Karon

This is the most current release by Jan Karon, author of the beloved Mitford Series books.  After completing the Mitford books, Karon began the new "Father Tim" series.  This one is the second of those books  ("Home to Holly Springs" is the first)

If you've read my past reviews on Karon's previous books, I'm sure you know that I was  excited to see this book at the store. Couldn't wait to read it! I'm sad to say,  it was a huge disappointment.  In fact, I couldn't wait for it to end.

As the story begins, Father Tim and wife Cynthia have arrived in Ireland, for the trip of a lifetime that he'd been promising her for years.   They arrive at a Bed & Breakfast,  where we read about what they ate, what they wore, what the dog did, how many swans were in the lake...it seemed that for most of the book, it was one dull detail after another.   Cynthia had hurt her ankle, so they were stuck at the Inn for most of the time.  It was over 100 pages into the story before anything of note happened.  Additionally, since the dialog was written in an Irish accent, it was very difficult to understand what was being said between characters. 

Tim and Cynthia discover and old journal at the lodge, and spent a lot of time reading it, since they cant do much else because of her ankle injury.  Long passages from that journal are written out for us, and wouldn't you know it, the journal is also full of dull details!   

Toward the end,  a little drama starts happening, but since we're about 3/4 of the way into the book, its hard to really care.  I felt no connection with the characters at all, in fact, it was hard to keep them all straight!  There was the family that ran the Inn, and the additional staff, the guests, and the rest of the family and staff at a nearby home - not to mention all the people that were written about in the journal!  I finally gave up trying to figure out who was who. 

I was determined to finish it, and I did.  But it was difficult.  So disappointed in this one.

HOME TO HARMONY, By Phillip Gulley

Books like this one aren't for everybody. This book was not suspenseful nor full of drama. But...if you do like these types of books...quaint stories about small towns, where nothing too dramatic happens...then I'd recommend Home to Harmony. It's very reminiscent of Jan Karon's Mitford Series, although I'll say that even Mitford has more drama than Harmony!

Sam, a young Quaker Pastor, narrates the book. It's not really a story, but rather, lots of stories. He recalls memories of his childhood, he tells about different people in the town, he recounts experiences he's had as a young pastor, and it's all entertaining and touching, with a bit of humor and emotion. Gulley goes back and forth from the present to the past, and each story leads into the other so that before you know it, you've arrived at the last page.

There are six books in the Harmony Series. I can't say I'm on the edge of my seat to rush right out to buy the next one...but I will read the next one, simply because its the kind of book that takes you back to a simpler time and place, and sometimes we need that!


Side Note: This was the first complete book that I read on our new Kindle. (see photo on the right) I was able to purchase it immediately with their free wireless delivery! Yup, while I sat at Jury Duty, I browsed books at Amazon.com, picked a book, and was able to start reading it in a couple of minutes!

HOME TO HOLLY SPRINGS, By Jan Karon

HOME TO HOLLY SPRINGS is Jan Karon's first book in the new Father Tim Series. Having completed the Mitford Series, Ms. Karon has continued Father Tim's story, taking a closer look into his past, his family, and his hometown of Holly Springs.

At 70 years of age, Father Tim receives an anonymous note that simply reads "Come Home". It grabs his curiosity, and he ends up planning a trip "home" to see what he can find out. He leaves his wife, Cynthia, at home, as she has broken her ankle and isn't much up to traveling. So Father Tim and trusty dog, Barnabas, hit the road.

As he arrives in Holly Springs, he visits some of his old stomping grounds, and he begins to remember a lot of events from his childhood. Tim's history is mentioned throughout the Mitford Books, and with this book, we take a closer look at some of the things that have haunted him for many years. For example, he wonders why his father always hated him. He wonders what happened to his beloved caregiver Peggy, who disappeared many years ago without a word. He wonders what became of his childhood best friend Tommy Noles. He also comes face to face with his old flame Peggy Cramer - and we learn the painful secret of their relationship's breakup.

He was able to see his life's history from other people's perspectives once he returned home. The same event can have different memories for different parties involved. It made me think about how we have a certain understanding of events that occur when we're children, but when we become adults or spouses or parents, we understand those things a little differently. We can look back with a grown-up perspective and understanding that we couldn't possibly have had as children. Father Tim goes home and finds answers to many questions he's long carried in his heart and mind. This book is full of secrets revealed!

I'll have to say that it was slow in some places, but about halfway through, I started to feel more interested in what was going on. I read a few reviews from faithful Mitford Fans that felt disappointed in this book, but personally, I enjoyed it. HOME TO HOLLY SPRINGS was released in 2007, but I'm disappointed to discover that so far, it's still the only book in the series. Hopefully we'll hear more from Father Tim in the near future!

THE MITFORD SERIES, By Jan Karon

I began reading this series a few months ago, and have already reviewed the first book, AT HOME IN MITFORD in a previous post. However, once I started reading one volume after the other, I thought it best to review the series as a whole, since it is, in essence, one story.

Note: I've also read HOME TO HOLLY SPRINGS, the first in the new Father Tim Series, which is a continuation of this story, but a separate series. That will be reviewed at a later date.

THE MITFORD SERIES is the continuing saga of Father Tim, an Episcopal priest, who lives in the quaint town of Mitford. He's been a bachelor for many years, and has taken good care of the parish he leads. In the first novel, we meet most of the characters that will make an appearance in the rest of the series. They each have their own dramas going on, and they all seem to involve Father Tim in some way or another! Throughout each book, there are births, deaths, marriages, storms, fires, health crises, addiction, homelessness - you name it! As for Father Tim, he's a busy man with a lot on his plate - including the unexpected arrival of an 11-year-old boy, for whom Father Tim must now become a guardian. And then there's his new neighbor, who, much to his distress, he finds himself falling in love with. A lot happens in these nine volumes! You'll find yourself laughing on one page, and then crying on the next.

As I had mentioned in my earlier review of the first volume, there isn't lot of edge-of-your-seat-suspense. This isn't to say that its a boring story! It's an engaging story, but with a cozy and relaxing feel. Better still, we are encouraged by Father Tim and his relationship with Jesus Christ. If you feel a bit stressed and need to go somewhere to relax, head to Mitford!

I was sad to reach the end of this heartwarming series, and actually started reading a bit slower when I hit the final book!

The Mitford Series includes:

At Home In Mitford
A Light In the Window
These High Green Hills
Out To Canaan
A New Song
A Common Life
In This Mountain
Shepherds Abiding
Light From Heaven

AT HOME IN MITFORD by Jan Karon

In this, the first book of the Mitford Series, Jan Karon introduces us to Father Tim and the small, quaint town of Mitford. The book takes us through Father Tim's daily happenings, as well as through the lives of all the residents of Mitford. While there was not a lot of drama or suspense, it was truly a charming story. Actually, there were a few incidents that were a bit dramatic - like the discovery of stolen diamonds in an old urn in the church! Then there's more drama when the diamond thief is revealed! There were also other interesting tidbits in the book - such as the troubled, angry young man of whom Father Tim became a guardian when the boy's grandfather became sick. And then there's the beautiful and friendly woman that moves in next door. Everybody in Mitford seems to have a story! You get to know all the characters and all their little small-town quirks. Father Tim, although he is not perfect, has such a good heart and really loves all the people in that town, and is thoroughly involved in their lives! He seems to really take to heart what the bible says about everything - not in a legalistic religious way - but just as a simple way of life.

There are nine volumes in the Mitford Series. The author has also begun a new series, with her latest book, "Home to Holly Springs", which is the first in the Father Tim Series.

This was such a cozy book - it was kinda like sitting and chatting with an old friend.