A Thorny Path

The Fairhaven Chronicles #4

by Sharon Downing Jarvis

A nasty neighbor who is sponsoring what could be an ugly anti-Mormon rally is just one of the concerns weighing on Bishop Jim Shepherd's mind. In his fourth year of service as bishop of the tiny Fairhaven Ward, he's also dealing with the death of one of his most faithful members and a variety of martial and emotional problems- some humorous, some dire- among the members of his flock. But there is also the joy of his wife, Tricia's pregnancy and the pending birth of their fourth child, along with the hop that several people receiving the missionary discussions will finally join the church. It is another season of growth and change in the sleepy little Southern town of Fairhaven, Alabama. If you haven't met Bishop Jim Shepherd and the colorful members of his ward, you're missing something truly special!

Genres: Lds Fiction, Fiction, Lds, Religion, Christian Fiction

279 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2006

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the previous three books in the Fairhaven Chronicles series, but this one was so over the top, it became silly. A Thorny Path was like a collection of all of the most loved and perhaps legendary of Mormon mythology. Not that these kinds of things haven’t happened, but so many in a row, to one small group of people? The others leaned in the same direction, but were at least reasonably well-written, with an eye toward building an appreciation of the characters. This one seemed to leave out the latter goal, in favor of gluing together a series of extraordinary spiritual experiences for the characters in the story. Thus, I had no sense of liking or connection to the characters as I had in the previous books.

This appears to have been the final book in a series that was intended to go longer. I don’t know why it didn’t, but it seemed to me that the author tried (unsuccessfully) to wrap up the series by throwing in all of the excitement and attention-grabbers that otherwise would have been more carefully spread out through several books and story lines. At the same time, she neglected to fully flesh out, or even bring to completion, several sub-plots that had originated in previous books. Thus, it was an unsatisfactory way to end the series, in my opinion. I enjoyed the book, but not nearly as much as the others.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was handed this book to read. iI took sometime to get to the top of my TBR list and then a slower than usual amount of time for me to stay within its pages. It seems to be an accurate portrayal of the concerns and life of a Bishop, and his family, in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It touches on and explains the culture, doctrine, perspective and the way members strive to live their lives as Christians - following Jesus Christ.
Why 3 stars then? I found myself skimming some of the interactions between characters and while there is some mystery in solving family history research questions, I found it to be 'as expected' for me. Which, truthfully, if all family history questions were solved as well - it would be wonderful!
Read, to be informed, if you wish.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cozy, slice of life book, written with everyday conversations and happenings. It will most likely appeal to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I found that despite the title, the family portrayed in the book had very few obstacles to their happiness and everything seemed to work out easily for them.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The element of the story in this, the 4th and final book in the Fairhaven Chronicles series, that I found most touching and memorable was the struggle Bishop Shepherd encounters when he attempts to do his family history research. He and his family undertake a trip to search out the area Bishop Shepherd's family originated. As he prayerfully seeks guidance in this task he and his family encounter people who direct them to a gold mine of information about Bishop Shepherd's family and they make some new friends along the way. The Bishop also has to deal with a cantankerous neighbor who is so belligerent against the Mormons that she is promoting an anti-Mormon rally in sleepy, little Fairhaven. This good Bishop prayerfully goes about serving his flock in a way that benefits all who come in contact with him, including his soon to be enlarging family. I really like this series. If you have read Jan Karon's Mitford Series and enjoyed those, then this short series will touch you as well,
particularly if you are LDS.

[Verona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series had been enjoyable reading for me. Number 1, I loved the southern accents spelled out in its pages. I loved the family, the characters, in these books. They are real people. I feel like I know them, and like them. The father, the Bishop, and his wife, I especially relate to. They taught me so much about acceptance, good feelings and attitudes, forgiveness, overcoming faults, and on and on. I just love them and what I learned from them. The story was interesting to me as well. This fourth book had a specific theme of the anti-Mormon activity, which was a look at what might happen and how it could be dealt with. I also enjoyed the family history lesson underlying that main theme. I relate to that activity and how they went about researching and finding their ancestors. It was just such an easy, pleasant book to read. I loved relaxing with this book at the end of the day. It gave me pleasant dreams. I appreciate this kind of clean, family-oriented, value filled literature.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a gift from my mother for Valentine's Day. It is a new series to us, neither I or my mother had never heard of it before, so my mother didn't know she was picking up book four of a series when she decided to get me a sweet gift for Valentine's Day. Having said this, I thought that the book was just mediocre. It didn't hold much excitement or anything that would keep me coming back for more. Maybe it would have helped to have read the first three books and become more familiar and attached to the characters. However it still wouldn't solve the fact that there just wasn't any excitement to the novel. But a good wholesome read that teaches good values and maybe even a love for geneology work.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is the last book in the series. I have read them all and enjoyed them. the characters are people you would recognize, the place a lovely small town. This book delves into genelogy as the family goes on vacation to search the bishop's fathers side. It is a productive trip as they find they had been mispelling the last name. On return they must deal with their anti-mormon neighbor her hate filled letters to people in the neighborhood and a anti-mormon rally that is coming.
it's an easy book to read and is not great literature but you know you don't have to worry about the language. It is not too goody-goody though as even bishops are human.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sad to have finished this truly great series. Oscar and I have loved these books, and always looked forward to reading them together. I hope the author will someday write more about Fairhaven. I will miss the characters so much. Oscar commented how emotionally invested you become in the characters. I felt the same way. This book begins with the Shepherds on a trip to Georgia to work on Jim's family history. He is searching for more info on his maternal grandfather. The entire story is well written as always.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny everyday LDS life type of book about a family and their adventures. Cheesy at times, preachy at times, but an easy read & a quick read. Really pretty right on about ward members, callings and their interactions.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Gives you a motivation to do family history. Also fun to go through the frustrations the bishop goes through with the anti-Mormon group.

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this series.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting journey. I think there needs to be a book five and I think the baby needs to be named Benjamin.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe not for everyone, but it was just what I needed at this time. This one I am keeping.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth book in the series. It follows the same Bishop and his ward. Just fun, and at times humorous.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is like reading about your life and your ward. I can identify most of the characters and their problems and joys. I enjoyed reading about Fairhaven.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this. The book doesn't have as much depth nor is it as well-written as the Mitford series, but I think the books in the Fairhaven Chronicles series get better as you go.