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Out to Canaan (Mitford Years #4)
by
Jan Karon
Thousands of readers have come home to Mitford, the little town with the big heart, whose endearing and eccentric residents have become like family members. But now change is coming to the hamlet. Father Tim, the Episcopal rector, and his wife Cynthia are pondering retirement; a brash new mayoral candidate is calling for aggressive development; a suspicious realtor with pl...more
Paperback, 368 pages
Published
April 1st 1998
by Penguin Books
(first published 1997)
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The 4th book in this beloved series. The fact that I have now read four books in the saga of Mitford and Father Tim Kavanagh is testament to the fact that I love these books. Father Tim is one of my all time favorite characters in literature. This loving servant of God tries so hard to be the good shepherd of his charming, lovable, sometimes exasperating "sheep". In this episode Father Tim is rapidly approaching retirement and he struggles to tie up some rather frustrating loose ends before he l...more
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I'm definitely running out of Mitford steam. This one had a villain in the form of an overbearing woman who never put in an actual appearance . . . pulling strings from behind the scenes, thwarted by Good People and God at every turn. With all the praying going on, I have to wonder why Father Tim never prayed for her? Too far gone? Satan's agent on earth? (Edith Mallory is her name - an aggressive woman who had designs on Fr Tim himself in an earlier book, the minx! Now she's just after Mitford...more
The word is out--Father Tim is going to retire in 18 months. Bishop Stuart Cullen has made it official in a sermon in which he likened Father Tim’s retirement as an adventure equivalent to Abraham’s venture into Canaan. Suffused with goodwill from the sermon, at first the villagers congratulate Father Tim and wish him well. However, when reality sets in--there will be (unwelcome) change--the complaints start. No one wants to break in a new priest.
But over riding all other concerns is the upcomin...more
This book made me want to buy the cookbook at last. Actually, I haven't read many of the reviews for this volume, but I was surprised by those who said this was their favorite in the series. The book was good, yes, but not profound. God's provision in this book was, I felt, a bit contrived. I don't mean to indicate a disbelief in commonplace miracles. Perhaps the problem I have is that the human author's presence in each of these incidents was far too present. They were simply too obvious and to...more
I'm going to write the same thing for the entire series. It's a syrupy sweet old fashioned read which does not demand anything of the reader. Many find the series feel good, and there are some sparkles of true conflict here and there, but mostly it's about the mundane daily plight of a vicar who finds love later in life and saves people - emotionally and physically.
If you like the first in the series, keep reading because you will be comforted by the characters and will want to see who is added...more
If you like the first in the series, keep reading because you will be comforted by the characters and will want to see who is added...more
As someone else has pointed out, it is hard (for we two, at least) to put events into chronological perspective. I have tried to read these books in order, and have read 9 of them, but the chronology escapes me, as do some unanswered questions...
In this book I found out that the rectory in Mitford has been sold, but I have yet to find out why. This would be a major decision by Father Tim or the diocese, but I have yet to know why this happened.
Another big question is "Who ran over Barnabas the...more
In this book I found out that the rectory in Mitford has been sold, but I have yet to find out why. This would be a major decision by Father Tim or the diocese, but I have yet to know why this happened.
Another big question is "Who ran over Barnabas the...more
This is Book #4 of "The Mitford Years", a charming series about life in a small North Carolina town. Father Tim has his hands full taking care of things in town, being a good steward of Sadie's house and estate, and trying to find lost kids and put a family back together for his foster son. And everyone wants to know who is he backing for mayor in the up-coming election?
I read most of these books long ago, and have re-read some of them for book club. This is a wonderful series and I recommend it...more
I read most of these books long ago, and have re-read some of them for book club. This is a wonderful series and I recommend it...more
This was my favorite so far! The author has taken several books to accomplish what some do in one book, which is to make me really care about what happens to these characters and this town. I was dying to know if someone was going to save Fernbank, and was so worried about Barnabas! I still think that Father Tim is a just a bit slow and waffles too much -- I figured out that Edith Mallory was behind it all WAY before he did, and am interested to see how she'll play out in the books to come. Defi...more
This is Book #4 of "The Mitford Years", a charming series about life in a small North Carolina town. Father Tim has his hands full taking care of things in town, being a good steward of Sadie's house and estate, and trying to find lost kids and put a family back together for his foster son. And everyone wants to know who is he backing for mayor in the up-coming election?
I read most of these books long ago, and have re-read some of them. This is a wonderful series and I recommend it to anyone wh...more
I read most of these books long ago, and have re-read some of them. This is a wonderful series and I recommend it to anyone wh...more
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Thousands of readers have found a home in Mitford, the little town with the big heart. But now change is coming to the village, Father Tim, the Episcopal rector, and his wife are pondering the murky uncertainties of retirement; a brash new mayoral candidate is calling for aggressive development; a shady realtor with plans for a health spa is cycling the beloved house on the hill; and, worst of all, the Sweet Stuff Bakery may be closing. Meanwhile, ordinary people engage in the extrordinary strug...more
Here’s what I like about this book. I love the relationship between Cynthia and Timothy, it is what a marriage should be. I love what they have done for Dooley. He is a great character. I enjoy the heart warming stories about the people in Midford. It is a quaint little town. One I would love to visit.
Here is what I don’t like: If you have not read the series in order, forget it. You will be lost. This author does a poor job reminding the reader of the history of this series. I always feel like...more
Here is what I don’t like: If you have not read the series in order, forget it. You will be lost. This author does a poor job reminding the reader of the history of this series. I always feel like...more
The continuing saga of Father Tim continues. Again, I cannot emphasize how wonderful it is to read such a wonderful series about life in a positive and uplifting way. Anything more I say about this book would ruin the story for those of you who want to read it.
This is a well written story, characters are well developed. You fall in love with all the little shenanigans and issues going on between them and all the other towns folk. Then when tragedy does come along, it is so respectfully and real...more
This is a well written story, characters are well developed. You fall in love with all the little shenanigans and issues going on between them and all the other towns folk. Then when tragedy does come along, it is so respectfully and real...more
In this fourth book of the Mitford series, the townspeople are in the midst of a mayoral election, an unscrupulous realtor is trying to buy up businesses, and Father Tim has announced his retirement. In other words, everyday life is fraught with trials, but through strength given from above, the good people of Mitford persevere through the tribulations. For an entertaining tale with endearing characters, this series is sure to be a favorite.
I have really enjoyed this series. I am reminded of BBC series like Cranford where you are drawn up into the lives of the characters in little towns. There are no massive plots, just interesting storylines. I especially love the religious quotes and insights from Father Cavanaugh. They are always uplifting and I find them to be little jewels throughout eat book. I look forward to following the lives of the people of Mitford.
I finished this book two days ago and yet I cannot remember a thing that happened. Oh wait, there was a random election.
Yeah, these books are not amazing. But they're good filler when you just want something nice and chill to read. And I love that they're squeaky clean and wholesome, though honestly, I wouldn't mind some action now and then. Like something other than someone stealing Esther's orange marmalade cake.
Yeah, these books are not amazing. But they're good filler when you just want something nice and chill to read. And I love that they're squeaky clean and wholesome, though honestly, I wouldn't mind some action now and then. Like something other than someone stealing Esther's orange marmalade cake.
May 18, 2008
Jen
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Jen by:
Lori Nettnin
It's been a while since I picked up a book from the Mitford Series. They're hard to come by overseas. The story continues with Father Tim & Cynthia Kavanaugh and their friends and family in Mitford. It was easy to pick up and read, even after putting the series to rest for a while. Jan Karon does a good job at helping you remember where you left off.
In this book, I got to take a trip to Lakeland, FL with Father Tim. Funny to me since I just moved to Tokyo from Lakeland, FL. I also got to rea...more
In this book, I got to take a trip to Lakeland, FL with Father Tim. Funny to me since I just moved to Tokyo from Lakeland, FL. I also got to rea...more
Father Tim and Cynthia are toying with the idea of retirement. But, is this really what they want. Mitford is heading for changes.
Along with our usual friends there now enters a new candidate for mayor, a less than scrupulous realtor who wants to take the mansion on the hill and turn it into a spa, and the Sweet Stuff Bakery may be forced to closed.
But, as the residents of Mitford do, they work together to solve their problems.
Now go to #5 "A New Song".
Along with our usual friends there now enters a new candidate for mayor, a less than scrupulous realtor who wants to take the mansion on the hill and turn it into a spa, and the Sweet Stuff Bakery may be forced to closed.
But, as the residents of Mitford do, they work together to solve their problems.
Now go to #5 "A New Song".
The wonderful fourth book in the Mitford series. In this book, a mayoral race causes tension, we learn more of Dooley's family, and Buck Leeper returns. The only thing I don't really appreciate in this book is much the same as the other ones - the fact that there are a few more uses of God's name than should be. But all in all, I much enjoyed my fourth visit to Mitford and can't wait to pick up the sequel.
I love how Karon continues to come up with clever, intriguing story lines that capture my interest. She is able to take a civic event as ordinary as a mayoral election and provide an element of mystery that is interwoven throughout the majority of the plot. Winnie Ivey really shines to me in this volume. Karon's ability in taking minor characters and developing them by providing unforeseen temporary trials is truly captivating and prevents the story line from becoming too mundane. On to the next...more
I like the series, but I thought this one had just just a bit too much religion in it. It got in the way of the story. I have not minded the religion that the author includes in her story, because it fit into the story. She went overboard on this one. I still like the characters and the story, though I didn't think the H. Tide issue was ever satisfactorily resolved.
This series gets better the farther I get in. Father Tim is my hero and I love the way the people help each other in these books. Real Christian love and sacrifice. I have started collecting the series of 9 (scored three at a Christian book outlet) and am excited she wrote even more on Father Tim beyond that!
More of a good vs. bad theme to this one and quite captivating. Father Tim is more stressed than ever as Mitford and his life begin to see change. Another sucess for author Karon as she delves us into the world of the fictional NC town of Mitford. Always a quick read as you want to know what happens and always pleased when you get to the end. Karon knows what she is doing to get you to read the whole series!
Aug 29, 2012
Dawn Branch
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fab-fiction-for-fun
I recommend all the books in the Mitford/Father Tim series by Jan Karon. All are compelling reads that you cannot put down. They are touching. They have sad parts. They are funny. They are uplifting. I feel like Father Tim is a trusted friend now. Read them in order if you can.
Longtime mayor Esther Cunningham, revered for preserving the traditions of the town, finds a formidable foe in Mack Stroupe, a free-spending industrialist who stands for the two most reviled words in Mitford: change and development. If that isn't enough, a suspicious company called "Miami Development" wants to buy Sadie Baxter's home--a Mitford landmark--and turn it into a hoity-toity spa. Father Tim has his hands full again with Dooley, his foster child who is back from prep school for the summ...more
This is my favorite Mitford book so far. There's a lot of action - even political intrigue in the mayoral race. Towards the end it feels like a Shakespearean comedy - everyone getting married - even Barnabas and Violet become friends! This is the first one that made me cry - can't wait for #5.
Well, I stayed up too late to finish this book, so I obviously liked it! I like how, at this point in the series, Karon is evolving her characters and continuing plot lines from the previous books without changing things so much that the reader feels betrayed.
Apr 01, 2013
Barbara
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Barbara by:
Church Book Club member
Quick, feel-good read in the same vein as the first 3. Rather than tiring of some of the sameness, I find it comforting and inspirational. While the story did not occur over the Easter season, it was still a good read for me at this time of year.
This book was as charming and as funny as the others but much more uplifting and cheery than the last one, which was especially sad and painful. In fact at the very end I was a little overwhelmed with how many happy marriages popped up but it really felt right, and satisfying to see the characters so happy.
I forgot to add this series until I read Justina's review. Love this author, and the characters are so fun - I didn't want the series to end, but Justina - you will be glad to know that you don't have to wait for a sequel to this one.
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Born Janice Meredith Wilson in 1937, Jan Karon was raised on a farm near Lenoir, North Carolina. Karon knew at a very early age that she wanted to be a writer. She penned her first novel when she was 10 years old, the same year she won a short-story contest organized by the local high school. Karon married as a teenager and had a daughter, Candace.
At 18, Karon began working as a receptionist for...more
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At 18, Karon began working as a receptionist for...more
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“The standing fields [ready to harvest]were the legions who hadn't filled their God-vacuum with the One who was born to fill it; the standing fields were those who waited for someone to reach out and speak the truth, and tell them how they might be saved.”
—
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“Paul said in the second epistle...the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine...they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn from the truth and wander away to myths.”
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