The Mitford Years: At Home in Mitford / A Light in the Window / These High, Green Hills / Out to Canaan

Mitford Years #1-4

by Jan Karon

Make four unforgettable visits to America's favorite small towns.

Genres: Fiction, Christian, Novels, Historical Fiction

1 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 1999

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

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I picked up this book as a suggestion from a friend. My heart was in turmoil after the death of my father and turmoil within the family. This story is set in a little town. I lived in a metro area at the time and I must say ...if everyone could live in Chipley where I live now they could have this peace in their hearts from true flesh and blood neighbors...but so many of us live in disconnected cyber families with busy neighbors, long commutes and competition in every aspect of our lives. This town is set in a God loving community with a preacher who knows you. It warms you from your heart to your sinews.

[Brenda Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series of books! Jan Karon writes small town life perfectly. Her characters will remind you of people you know or have known, especially if you've lived in a small town. I became so invested in the characters and their lives that I didn't want to put the books down. I believe there are more Mitford books and I want to read them all. I'm also going to check out www.penguinputnam.com/mitford.

[Pjtexas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jan Karon always pulls me into her Mitford books. I loved every one. It helps that I was a brand new Episcopalian when I began reading the series. I found this great new way to deal with people in my parish who are unpleasant. I associate them with a character from the Mitford series. Then, they are just funny!

I highly recommend Jan Karon's Mitford series for anyone who is looking for fun reading.

[Leaon Star · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read the whole Mitford series and love them. I'd love to live in a town just like Mitford, with Father Tim for a priest and Cynthia and Violet and Barnabas for neighbors. THIS IS THEE AMERICAN DREAM TOWN.

I'd especially love to feel close to a congregation like this... and have a home church just as this. The characters become friends.

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a slow paced book which reflects the slow pace of small town life, which I love. I am not episcopalian and it was interesting to learn about that point of view. I read the series and must confess that my taste in books now needs some adventure and a bit more intrigue. There is a time and a season for everything and the Mitford series is good for calm introspective reading.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again I started this series with one book for book group. I enjoyed it so continued with the series. Beside these four books I also read A New Song and Shepherd's Abiding. They are fun books about small town life.

[Sherry Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book series. Expecially in the winter. They are a cozy read.

[Jean Boobar · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Mitford years series by Jan Karon are what I would call "Cozy" and my rating reflects the genre. It is not Literature, but it is a good read about a minister, Father Timothy' who has made a home for a homeless dog and a homeless adolescent boy. They live in the small town of Mitford where everyone knows everyone else's business. An attractive female author moves into a home near the rectory and becomes connected with the household. The reader goes along with Father Tim as he goes out for coffee, attends meetings and visits the sick and elderly, rich and poor. He has to deal with a woman who claims to be his cousin from Europe and entertains the Bishop and his wife.

The twists and turns hold the reader's attention and the ending is pretty obvious before the end of the book, but I read the book for entertainment and was not disappointed.
.

[Shirley Kummer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally finished the 5th novel in the Mitford series. It was an entertaining read this summer as I enjoyed following Father Timothy and the many characters and happenings in this little quaint town. I also liked the way the author included scriptures, sermons and the faith that Father Tim relied upon. It was fun finding out the various mysteries being solved in each novel. Especially interesting was the age of Father Tim when he discovered love for the first time in his life. I am surprised as to how many people I run into that have read this series and loved it. Glad I finally got to read these 5 books.

[Sally Wolfsberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series by Jan Karon is a wonderful escape into the beautiful town of Mitford with its lovely people. Very easy read and very enjoyable. Fell in love with the characters and the town. Good to get away from all of the things going on today and read about life in simpler times.

[Laura]

I grew up in a small town very similar to Mitford. I enjoyed reading all 14 books in the series with a lovable cast of characters. The audiobook with John McDonough as the narrator is excellent.

[Alice H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second time through and I still want to move to Mitford and become and Anglican.

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read the first 3, which are all kind of “blah” reading.
Two of my sisters loved the books.

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite series ever.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why this won't let me enter just the book I finished, which is A Light in the Window.

[Betty Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad I decided to read this series. With everything going on in the world today this book was so refreshing. I'm looking forward to the next book.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

These High Green Hills, Book 3 of the Mitford Series

[Jeanne M Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best series I've ever read

[Margie Smetana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of warm fuzzies. Hallmark movies ….

[Erin Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jan Karon's books are a cozy blanket, a cup of tea, and warm hands by the fire... I will always remember how these stories made me feel... Simply wonderful!!

[Eleanor]

Well, I'm trying. I'm on about page 150. It is not charming me, which is odd because I tend to like these sorts of books. I'll stay with it. I find it all a bit twee. I'm only on the first book (At Home in Mitford), so I am willing to give the next one in the series a try as well. If I'm still not charmed; I'm done.

Huh. This book is wildly uneven, preachy, sappy, and completely ignores the actual history of North Carolina, including stereotyping Africa-Americans. But there is a narrative here. There is a thread of something real. I will read the next in the series and see what that reveals. I'm still not charmed, but am willing to try again.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful series by a North Carolina author set in a small town (possibly modeled after Blowing Rock, NC where the author lives.) It follows the life of Father Timothy Kavanaugh, an Episcopalian minister and eligible bachelor. It is full of warm humor, memorable characters and stories of a faithful life serving the members of his parish, dealing with all aspects of life including a burglary mystery, romance, Alzheimers, a wonderful dog named Barnabus, run-away children, alcoholism--in short all the ups and downs of life in the real world. There are actually eight or more books in the series. I had read two others: A New Song, and Shepherds Abiding, out of order and loved them so much that I went back and started the from the beginning. This set is the first four books in the series. My 12-year-old Samuel, is enjoying them also, and reading them as fast as I can finish them. I will probably read them again.

[Britt DeMill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for something nice and easy and not too deep. Just something wholesome and my mom recommended these books to me. That's exactly what I got and I really liked the whole series. Who knew I would become addicted to them and have a hard time putting them down until I finished all the whole series? Who knew I would enjoy reading about the daily ongoings of an Evangelical pastor? But, I did and the series was a good pick me up during some doom and gloom moments in my life. The first book is a little slow to begin with, but eventually picks up so if you read it...don't give up!

[Deb Amstutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of shows like "The Waltons" or the old Andy Griffith series you'll love these books as much as I did. It all takes place in the quaint little town of Mitford, NC (think: Mayberry). The main character is Father Tim Kavanagh, an Episcopal priest but it's the quirky cast of secondary characters that make the books fun to read. The plotlines are not particularly original. It's the characters, not the story that really drives the series. It's the kind of series you want to cozy up in your comfy chair with a tall glass of sweet tea on a sunny afternoon and escape for awhile.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful - that was the first word that came to mind as I began reading this series. It was a nice break from the classic Chrisitan romance. The characters are so well developed and the way Jan Karon writes makes you feel like you are living and experiencing life in Mitford. The first one took me a while to get into, but once I got to know the characters, it became a book that was hard to put down. It appeals to the small town, picket fence, where everybody knows your name dream in me.

[Irma Lasky · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are just delightful. They are totally perfect for a cold winter day by the fire with a cup of tea. Jan Karon paints her characters with a strong and humerous brush and you can't help but love them. Father Tim can make you laugh out loud with some of his thoughts and, of course, the books always have all trials work out just fine. A big break from serious reading I recommend just sitting back and enjoying small town living at its best.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished all the Mitford series again. I love these books because for me, they represent real life more than books that claim they represent real life do. The characters are well developed because they over lap from book to book and they become your friends - people you think about and wonder how they are doing. I laugh out loud, I tear up, I tell them what to do - I am part of these books, the people she writes about, the places they live, the things they do. I love these books!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this marks the 4th time I've read Jan Karon's Mitford series. I find myself drawn to it, when I need a dose of heartwarming, idyllic, small town life. It's a great escape for me and, if a place like Mitford exists, please contact me - I'd love to move there! The characters are endearing, there are a reasonable number of trials to keep the storyline believable, and the series welcomes the reader into a loving, supportive community that can be difficult to find these days....

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful series of a preacher who is not married and how he takes care of his duties in this town. Everyone loves him. One lady decides that since she is not married that he would make a great husband, so in their late years they marry. I loved this series because it was funny and clean reading.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series. Whenever I want to go to a simpler place in time I pick up one of these books. The characters remind me of the people I grew up in my small home town. I just keep one by my bedside and read whenever. Can't read one from front to back at one time but read them when I need an escape from this world.