In the Company of Others

Mitford Years #11

by Jan Karon

Father Tim and Cynthia arrive in the west of Ireland, intent on researching his Kavanagh ancestry from the comfort of a charming fishing lodge. The charm, however, is broken entirely when Cynthia startles a burglar and sprains her already-injured ankle. Then a cherished and valuable painting is stolen from the lodge owners, and Cynthia's pain pales in comparison to the wound at the center of this bitterly estranged Irish family.

In the Company of Others is a moving testament to the desperate struggle to hide the truth at any cost and the powerful need to confess. Of all her winning novels, Jan Karon says this "dark-haired child" is her favorite-a sentiment readers everywhere are certain to share.

Another stirring page-turner about Father Tim—this time set in County Sligo—from the bestselling author of At Home in Mitford, Somebody Safe with Somebody Good, and other books in the Mitford Series.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Ireland, Audiobook, Adult Fiction, Inspirational

399 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2010

About the author

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 a Charlotte, N.C. advertising agency. She advanced in the company after leaving samples of her writing on the desk of her boss, who eventually noticed her talent. Karon went on to have a highly successful career in the field, winning awards for ad agencies from Charlotte to San Francisco. In time, she became a creative vice president at the high-profile McKinney & Silver, in Raleigh. While there, she won the prestigious Stephen Kelly Award, with which the Magazine Publishers of America honor the year's best print campaign.

During her years in advertising, Karon kept alive her childhood ambition to be an author. At the age of 50, she left her career in advertising and moved to Blowing Rock, North Carolina, to pursue that dream. After struggling—and failing—to get a novel underway, Karon awoke one night with a mental image of an Episcopal priest walking down a village street. She grew curious about him, and started writing. Soon, Karon was publishing weekly installments about Father Tim in her local newspaper, The Blowing Rocket, which saw its circulation double as a result. "It certainly worked for Mr. Dickens", says Karon.

The Father Tim stories became Karon's first Mitford novel, At Home in Mitford. That book has since been nominated three times (1996, 1997, and 1998) for an ABBY (American Booksellers Book of the Year Award), which honors titles that bookstore owners most enjoy recommending to customers, and the only book ever nominated for three consecutive years. The fourth Mitford novel, A New Song, won both the Christy and Gold Medallion awards for outstanding contemporary fiction in 2000. A Common Life, In This Mountain, and Shepherds Abiding have also won Gold Medallion awards. Out to Canaan was the first Mitford novel to hit the New York Times bestseller list; subsequent novels have debuted on the New York Times list, often landing the #1 spot.

Karon has also published two Christmas-themed books based on the Mitford series, The Mitford Snowmen and Esther's Gift, as well as Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader. Other Mitford books include Patches of Godlight: Father Tim's Favorite Quotes, a compilation of wit and wisdom, and A Continual Feast: Words of Comfort and Celebration, Collected by Father Tim. In addition, Karon has written two children's books, Miss Fannie's Hat and Jeremy: The Tale of an Honest Bunny, and an illustrated book for all ages, The Trellis and the Seed.

Karon says her character-driven work seeks to give readers a large, extended family they can call their own. Though Light From Heaven is officially the final novel in the series, there's yet another Mitford book in this prolific author. Karon urges her millions of ardent fans to look for the Mitford Bedside Companion, releasing in the Fall of 2006. "It has everything in it but the kitchen sink", says Karon.

Reviews

[Fergus, Weaver of Autistic Webs · Rating 5 out of 5]

IF YOU’RE GOING THROUGH HELL,
KEEP GOING.
-Winston Churchill

My FAVOURITE Karon novel...

Jan Karon REALLY put her heart and soul into this one!

This is NOT your usual heartwarming and homey Father Tim book. No - this is a much more brooding and melancholy story about the witty, ever-positive Episcopalian cleric.

Here we leave the friendly, sunny skies of the little American village of Mitford for the darker old-world flavour and subtle family secrets of present-day Ireland.

Father Tim’s supposed to be on vacation, and so he is... in his dreams!

It’d be better to change his name to Murphy, in fact, because everything that CAN go wrong on his holidays... DOES go wrong. Ancient rancour, confused bitterness, feuding families. And that’s just the locals.

On top of that, Father Tim’s bride has seriously hurt her foot, and they’re both housebound.

For the duration!

And when you’re confined to an old Irish inn, overseen by a family of managers that has lots of secrets to tell, the predictable happens.

They all confess their sins to Tim (even though he’s not Catholic)!

With his wife not her usual happy self, Father Tim has a heavy cross to bear...

We ALL have dark times in our lives. Sometimes the mere effort to work our way through the mire of our aggravation hurts. But Father Tim himself comes from a hurting family, and you know what?

He’s slogged through the SAME muck so many times with his family, friends and parishioners that he knows it all by rote.

BUT with the steady application of the same antidotes, faith, hope and love, he KNOWS before it emerges when that old sun is gonna burst through those clouds!

This is a fine, compelling and nuanced novel. Unfortunately, I read it when experiencing a grim period within our family, and I didn’t give it my usual wholehearted attention.

It involved a glaring misdiagnosis. It shouldn’t have happened. But it did.

But by sheer slogging - the bright sun appeared again in our lives. Faith, Hope and Love won out.

So read this at a time when you NEED a little more drama in your life... NOT when you have too much. Cause I guarantee you’ll get it here.

Sure, times are tough for his Irish hosts. But Tim’s got broad shoulders and a pair of ears to LISTEN as well as hear.

And the strength of his character, and his stubborn but kind-hearted determination not to allow a bad situation become ugly, saves the day.

This is an lengthy and emotionally dense book for those grey days when you want to read a book that, while substantially problematic, offers the hope of a silver lining.

For it portrays the joyful determination of Father Tim and his soulmate, together, a happy new-world couple, to help heal old-world wounds - out of the depths of their gratitude for their Irish hosts’ intimate sharing of a buried, ancient, hurting past.

Now, a myriad of Karon's devoted readers have balked at this one, labelling it as brutally uncharacteristic. I disagree.

Jan's only human, she hurt at that time - and so Churchill's only partially right:

For if you're going through Hell, SHARE with folks about it!

Don't keep it locked inside.

It'll fester as it does for these poor Irishmen...

No, the Indian writer Nilanjana Haldar is right:

Quiet Screams need Quiet Healers!

Five Wanna-read-again stars.
***
And now, 12 years later I'm REREADING it. Love it!!!

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

Familiar with the term "Deux ex machina"? It's a device used in ancient Greek drama, where having written themselves into a corner, the author would add a god coming down from the heavens (lowered on stage w/a crane) to solve everything.

Well, I've decided that that's what Father Tim has become. He swoops down from the sky (in this case from an airplane) and by the time he and Cynthia leave all the wrongs have been righted, everyone has found God (the Episcopal sort, even if they're Catholics) and they all live happily ever after.

Don't get me wrong. I like Karon. And I really like Father Tim. But taking him further and further from Mitford, from those wonderful characters who feel so real, is diminishing her writing.

And if she wanted to write a story about the diary characters, fine, then she should have done that instead of plunking it into her book here. I skipped virtually every entry, wanting to get back to the REAL story.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another reviewer suggested the Father Tim / Mitford books were an example of "deus ex machina." Made me laugh--although I tend to agree. But--isn't this why readers select these books and return to Father Tim and his wise counsel, again and again? Because he provides a template for hope when our worldly cares seem insurmountable. The fact that the hope provided is the deus part of the literary convention doesn't detract from the writing.

While the overall pattern in every book is the same--Tim is reluctantly at the center of One Big Mess, and finds the right words to handle difficult people and deeply rooted problems--it's nice to see a bit of Ireland, meet jolly companions, and wade around in a gentle theology.

One of my former Episcopal priests said (about the Father Tim/Mitford books) "Oh, I read one of them and wasn't moved to read another. Clearly, the author is in love with her priest!" I tend to agree with him, too--and kind of admire the author's chutzpah in writing herself a lovely role as helpmeet.

Jan Karon's books are reliably sweet in nature and just different enough to keep me reading.

[Missy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's been several years, but I used to enjoy the Mitford series books. So when I saw this on the "high demand" shelf at the library, I picked it up and looked forward to another comfortable, enjoyable read. The setting is Ireland (Father Tim and Cynthia are on vacation). I enjoyed the descriptions of the setting and language - a lot of similarities to Scotland where I was a missionary - but overall this was my least favorite of Karon's books. First, there were way too many characters. I tried to keep them straight, but there was a rather large chunk of the book - somewhere about halfway to 2/3 of the way through - where I had no idea what was going on. I couldn't remember who was who or what everyone's relation was to everyone else. Turns out it didn't matter as much as I thought it would in the end, but still... Father Tim and Cynthia find an old Journal at the Inn where they are staying and they read from it regularly. It's interesting and I loved the people in the journal, but I found it awkward at times and couldn't figure out what the point was in relation to everything else going on at the moment. Also, I didn't particularly like Karon's writing style. This is billed as "A Father Tim Novel" and when she refers to him she simply says "he" or "him," never calling him by his name unless someone else is specifically saying it. This gets confusing when Tim is talking to another male and you aren't sure who she is referring to at certain points in the conversation or she says "He went somewhere..." and it's vague which "he" she is referring to.

Overall, I liked the story and I do like a book which wraps everything up in a pretty little package when all is said and done. In that regard, this book didn't disappoint, but there were way too many times in the thick of it when I was confused. I was so glad when it was over. 2.5 stars.

[Terrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read most of Jan Karon’s Mitford series as quickly as they were published. I loved them all so much I decided to read them again along with the new Father Tim series. It is so refreshing to read about honest, decent people dealing with regular life in a quaint and humorous way. IN THE COMPANY OF OTHERS failed in my expectations. The story takes the Cavanaugh’s to Ireland and places them in the middle of characters that the story is really about. I felt the plot was weak and there were too many characters to keep track of. The middle of the book was downright boring. Karon has said this was her favorite book, of all she has written. It has been my least favorite to read.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I love this author and this series. This one almost felt like she had a ghost writer. I was disappointed in both the story and the audio narration. The characters didn’t even feel like themselves. The story takes place in Ireland, which played some part in the disconnected feeling, but other novels in this series take place outside of the characters’ hometown and were enjoyable! So that definitely wasn’t all of it.

My sister and I read this together for the first 100pp and then I decided I didn’t want to go on with it. Neither of us were impressed, up to that point. Then I circled back because I thought this might be a good insomnia listen. It was good for that 😀 so I went on and finished it. She went on with the paper book, and wound up being happy that she finished the book. I did skim the sections containing the journal as I found that storyline completely uninteresting and disconnected from the rest of the story.

Will definitely continue on with the series as this author has never disappointed either of us before and I don’t expect she will again. Don’t judge the series by this book. It’s a great series and a wonderful, non-preachy way to understand how Christianity works, when it works as it should, and not as a way to force people to behave in certain ways.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hoping that after spending the last Mitford book away from Mitford, at the hometown of Father Tim, in this book In the Company of Others by Jan Karon, we would be returning to Mitford and it's lovely citizens.  Instead we find ourselves in Ireland,  on the west coast in County Sligo, in a charming fishing lodge.  Still, even though I am far from Mitford, there are have characters I come to love, and we even have a mystery!  Agatha Christie here we come.  I loved the mystery, I loved the secret journal Cynthia and Father Tim spend so much time reading, I loved all the characters coming in and out of Broughadoon.  But I don't think I would love a vacation with Father Tim and Cynthia, relaxing is not what I'd call a vacation with those two.  I am hoping that we will finally return to Mitford in the next novel, perhaps we will finally get to rest, we need a break from this last vacation.  After these last few months one thing I really need is to rest, so back to Mitford we go, hopefully.  

[Claudia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a disappointment to me. It was a confusing mixture of two plot lines: one about Father Tim and Cynthia vacationing at a quaint family-run inn in Ireland, the second set in the mid-nineteenth century at the same locale. The 19th century story line was left mid-air with a quick and unsatisfying tie down. The contemporary plot line included so many characters I needed a roster to keep them all straight. Finally, Tim and Cynthia were portrayed as being drawn into the family drama on a very intimate level and I just couldn't buy it. They just didn't belong there; they belonged at Home in Mitford.

[Kathrine · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading all the Mitford books, this book did not hold a candle. I agree with the other reviews that it was plodding and confusing. when I saw a page with journal, I dreading reading that part. The journal really didn't add to the overall plot. I didn't keep the characters & their relationships straight until the very end.
The ending did (finally) bring it all together but didn't need 400 pages to do it.
Agree that if you are a fan of the Mitford books, you will miss those characters & strength in this book.

[Pgmjoleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mainly enjoyed the characters - especially Father Tim and his wife and the dynamics between them in this story. The other characters were also very well-drawn. I liked the setting in Ireland - good description of places, language, and culture. The book had a story within a story when the couple read a journal written more than a generation previously by the man who built the large country house near the B&B where they were staying in Ireland. I listened to this as a book on tape while I was driving, and I found the switching back and forth between present and past a bit irritating and not particularly relevant. This may have worked better if I had been reading a paper copy. Listening, however, was fun because of the Irish accents! The book's climax was a bit preachy, but I could deal with that. The plot was slow-paced and not especially surprising or interesting. The real strength was the characters and the way Karon celebrated everyday life, caring human interaction, and framed it all within an overtly Christian worldview without having it be too preachy most of the time.

[Anne White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still my least favourite of the series, and I think this was only my first re-read while I've gone through the rest many times. Long and melodramatic, though it had its moments.

[Carrie Brownell · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the back of the dust jacket I noticed that Karon called this her favorite of all of her novels, her dark-haired child. I can see why many folks wouldn't enjoy this particular "Mitford" story as well, it haven't a completely different setting and something of an admittedly slow start.

I confess to being tempted to set this one aside but, in the end, I'm very glad that I pressed on. By about the halfway point, I was swinging along with the plot and enjoying Karon's beautiful descriptions of Ireland and its people.

I might have enjoyed this one because I, myself, write stories that are not set in my country of origin. The tedious amount of research that goes in to making sure you understand a place, a people, and their language, is remarkable. I could tell that Karon had done a great deal of footwork to make sure this book was believable and, almost out of a respect for her efforts more than any other reason, I pressed on.

Her descriptions are delightful. The e-mails that Father Tim exchange with Emma are brilliant and made me laugh out loud more than once. The slang she pulled out to use was appreciated.

All in all, I believe I can understand why she would say this book was a favorite. She worked hard for it and I think she won.

[Beka Metz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one took me a little time to get into. But once I did I was hooked and invested with these Irish characters. And Father Tim never lets me down.

[Laurel Bradshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Have really enjoyed Jan Karon's books for her interesting characters, uplifting message, and sense of fun and humor. I especially enjoyed the first Father Tim novel, which seemed to be a bit edgier than the previous Mitford series. This book was a bit disappointing to me. I expected much more from a book set in Ireland. Except for the attempt at local dialect (which I listened to as an audiobook) there was nothing much Irish about the setting, or representative of the culture. While the characters were interesting, and the humor was there, it was difficult to sort out who was who and how they were all related. I also found this book's message bordering on proselytizing which got tiresome. And the last minute change of heart of deeply embittered and wounded characters was just not believable.

Audio version read by Erik Singer. Description from back of box: Father Time and Cynthia arrive in the west of Ireland, intent on researching his Kavanagh ancestry from the comfort of a charming fishing lodge. The charm, however, is broken entirely when Cynthia startles a burglar and sprains her already injured ankle. Then a cherished and valuable painting is stolen from the lodge owners, and Cynthia's pain pales in comparison to the wound at the center of this bitterly estranged Irish family.

Series info:
#2 of series
See: Home to Holly Springs

[Rich · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pacing was too slow. I loved her first five books, and told everyone about them. But from that point on, the pacing has slowed to a snail's pace. Yes, I realize these books fall in the slice-of-life type of book, but even with that, the pacing is deadly dull. Her transitions are confusing, causing me to go back and re-read previous pages and paragraphs. She makes a big deal of Father Tim's cousin and wife coming to visit, but their arrival is barely commented on. I hate saying this because I loved her first books so much.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book as much as the other Mitford and Father Tim novels, especially the long passages from a journal written by an Irish doctor in the 1860s--I wanted the author to get back to the story of Father Tim and Cynthia in Ireland. And having Cynthia stuck with an injured ankle seemed a device to free up Father Tim to do some things and keep him from their planned travels around Ireland. And I had trouble keeping track of the characters at times. But I still enjoyed the book, and really like this whole series--this one just paled in comparison with the others.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favorite of the Mitford/Father Tim series. Way too many characters, then toss in that almost half the book is an 1862 journal entry, with rambling & uninteresting stories, made for a very difficult read. A very condensed section of the old journal & better fleshing out of the characters would have made this novel much more interesting. The first Jan Karon book that I read that I was glad to see the last of!

[Conchita Matson · Rating 4 out of 5]

These wonderful books remind me of what is important; sharing the love of God with others by being kind and giving of your time. It might seem a simple boring life but it isn’t, it is truly fulfilling being obedient to God.
I missed the usual reader, Mr. McDonough, who embodies all the voices so well but this reader was good also.

[H. Daley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable but the old journal entries seemed completely unnecessary and spoilt the flow.

[Catherine Leggitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I turned the last page, an overwhelming sadness dropped over me. I didn't want to leave this cozy Irish fishing lodge. I'd become so enthralled with the place, visualization facilitated by Jan Karon's awesome mastery of the language. The book is beautifully written. I took this life-altering vacation on the shore of Lough Arrow along with retired Episcopal priest Tim Kavanagh and his wife Cynthia. They came for much needed rest, but got an adventure instead. An intruder startles Cynthia, resulting in an injury to her ankle. A valuable painting vanishes without a trace. Relationships are not what they appear at first glance. Behind the civility and grand hospitality lurk ugly secrets. The Kavanaghs (and the reader) are quickly drawn into the lives of this Irish family.

An old journal illuminates family dynamics. Unforgiveness is at the core of the problem. Reconciliation is the heart of this story. The amazing beauty of the love of God washes away long-held resentments and pain, making this book unforgettable. Love the plot and the resolution.

One small fly in the ointment--I found the Irish dialect off-putting and hard reading at times, particularly in the many pages of journal and I fought the desire to skim over much of it. For that reason, had there been a 4.5 rating, that would have been my choice.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jan Karon is like a fine wine. She gets better and better as the years go on. I loved In the Company of Others. There are so many passages I would like to quote. I agree with Ms Karon, this is her finest yet. Beautiful scenery depicted to us. Tim and Cynthia have one of the most wonderful blessed relationships and I long to be like them. What a wonderful model for us all.

The whole mystery of who was in the cabinet, who stole the painting, just brilliant! I loved the journal writing. I couldn't wait for them to open it every time! There wasn't a character I didn't like. I think it is somehow how Ms Karon writes that all the characters just come, and I don't confused when she introduces us to that many somehow.

Then there is Bella, a young woman, feeling so many different things, as teenagers tend to do. What a beautiful picture of God's grace and mercy. The same can also be said for Evie, or Evelyn. No matter what you do, or how much you think you are in control, God is the one and only.

If you weren't in tears or deeply moved by this book, I am sorry you missed the boat.

I don't mind waiting 3 years for a book like this. It will stay with me forever. Thank you Ms Karon, you are a true blessing to this follower.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't be fooled by my 3 star rating. I still enjoyed it, as I always enjoy these books, but this one takes place in Ireland and I really missed Mitford. Besides Father Tim and his wife Cynthia, we only get glimpses of Mitford characters Dooley and Emma via emails. Instead, we're introduced to lots of new characters at the B&B they're staying at, both alive and dead (via the journal of the man who built the place in the 1860s). Not only that, but Cynthia sprains her ankle and is house bound, so they just hang out with these new people and get REALLY involved in their lives, like super personal stuff.aybe that's normal for a priest, but honestly, it kind of annoyed me! I wanted to tell Tim and Cynthia to butt out!

Anyways all the new characters were confusing to keep straight, plus there were mysteries like a break in, an art theft, and paternity mystery. plus mysteries from the journal they were reading. I enjoyed it, but not as much as other books. I was homesick for Mitford, I guess.

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good there were completely unfamiliar references to Tim and Cynthia's Ireland trip. How had I missed a whole book? But there it was, sitting on my shelf unread. The author says this is her favorite of her novels. I'm inclined to agree.

I'm surprised at the not-up-to-snuff copyediting and typesetting, though. I'd expect better from Penguin. I noticed the same in SSwSG, can't recall from the earlier books in the series.

And now I have read three actual ink-on-paper books in a row (plus a pixels-on-screen one I can't review yat). All three were not-terribly-challenging fiction, to be sure, but I feel as if I might be on my way back to being a literate human being.

[Will Waller · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow this book is slow. slow. slowwwwww...

There are far too many characters.

There are far too many distractions.

And there is far too much of the same - deus ex machina. Or more appropriately, Tim ex machina. He swoops in to save the day.

Also Ibiza is mentioned like 8 times. Very odd. Karon must also be into clubbing if she mentions it so often.

Really her worst of the series. It's unnecessary, although does hint at some incestual relationships which an early Karon wouldn't have done.

I just didn't enjoy it. I knew where it was going to go - yes, resolutions. Less characters, more character development please!

[Lana Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in a fishing lodge in Ireland. Audio version of book rich with Irish accents and fiddle music. Father Tim (referred to as Reverend in Ireland) and wife, Cynthia (children's book author and illustrator) spend their vacation in a fishing lodge in the countryside. They grow attached to the owners of the lodge and the estranged extended family from the estate house up the hill. This book held much more drama than the usual lighthearted Midford series. Ended well.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

no, not at all a stirring page-turner. i'll go along w/most of the reviews i read: too many characters, too unbelievable a plot, too silly to throw in the diary. still enjoyed it enough to finish. the thing that pained me most was to think of people who got to go to ireland & stayed in their room most of the time.

[Clara Roberts · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read 137 pages of a 399 page book. The author does not 'flesh' out her character. Characterss appear in the story without an introduction. Most novels have a purpose, i.e, to tell a story that is romance, mystery, historical or drama. This book seems to have no purpose. I wonder if the writer is paid for putting words on the paper rather than telling a story.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is an excellent example that the ministry God gives you does not need to (nor really should it!) end when you're retired or even in a different country. I love how both Father Tim and Cynthia were able to use their God-given gifts to be a blessing in the lives of the people they met at Broughadoon.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely story about touching lives of others, just think if you could make that much difference to a stranger....

[Gail Barger · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I requested this book using the library's curbside pickup I discovered they had pulled the large print version for me. At around 700 pages I think I felt overwhelmed before even starting! I have usually loved all of the Mitford/Father Tim books, this one was ok and had it's moments but it felt so slow to me. Tim and Cynthia are on vacation at a quaint fishing lodge in Ireland and get drawn into some heavy family drama with the owners and all the other people they come across. There were a lot of characters, alive and dead! Part of the book is them reading an old journal they find at the inn about a doctor that lived there in the 1800's. I thought the journal part didn't add as much to the overall plot but things did sort of tie up a bit at the end, however it felt like it took too many pages and so long to get there!