Leaving North Haven: The Further Adventures of a Small-Town Pastor

by Michael L. Lindvall

Like its predecessor, Good News from Haven, Leaving North Haven is a collection of related stories following one year in the life of the wise and understanding pastor of a small Presbyterian Church, Rev. David Battles. The books are set in the fictional town of North Haven, Minnesota.

North Haven is a place that has seen better days and Battles is torn by his love for the rhythms and folkways of the tiny village and his longing for a more glamorous assignment. Fans of Good News from North Haven will be pleased to encounter many of the same characters in the sequel, though the two can be read independently. In Leaving North Haven, Lindvall's storytelling is keener than ever, weaving emotion and compassion with gentle humor.

251 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2002

Reviews

[Marijke Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been many years since my husband and I first encountered Good News From North Haven. Back then, we laughed and nodded and talked about the book. The story about The Iron Butterfly and the Young Mothers who wanted to update the kids’ Christmas program has even made it into a couple of sermons my husband has given over the years. So this second volume was welcomed into the fold as well. And enjoyed as much. Humor, depth of emotion, contemplation. These things author Michael Lindvall does well. Not quite the uproarious laughter we had back at that fateful Christmas program, but real-people kinds of laughs in recognition of a shared experience. And some tugs of the heart that we also recognize. Lindvall shares some common ground with us: being Presbyterian, living in Minnesota, ministering in small towns, experiencing church and community life from the unique vantage point of ministry. Maybe, because of these things, I am meant to love these stories (I can’t speak for my husband; he hasn’t read it yet), but I think many will recognize the people, the setting, the dynamic of life and the glimpses of typically-suppressed Nordic-Minnesotan emotions and will enjoy the laughs and a few tears as Pastor David Battles (and his family) prepare to leave their congregation after 12 years. Growing up, growing old, growing close, leaving well and following God’s call are never easy…but they are certainly memorable.

[Rev. Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet read that, from what my minister friends who pastor in small towns have told me, is an accurate portrayal..sort of reminded me of Philip Gulley's Harmony series: "Like its predecessor, Good News from Haven, Leaving North Haven is a collection of related stories following one year in the life of the wise and understanding pastor of a small Presbyterian Church, Rev. David Battles. The books are set in the fictional town of North Haven, Minnesota. North Haven is a place that has seen better days and Battles is torn by his love for the rhythms and folkways of the tiny village and his longing for a more glamorous assignment. Fans of Good News from North Haven will be pleased to encounter many of the same characters in the sequel, though the two can be read independently. In Leaving North Haven, Lindvall's storytelling is keener than ever, weaving emotion and compassion with gentle humor

[Beth Orr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book on fictitious North Haven, Minnesota and Rev. David Battles, wife Annie, and children Jennifer and Chris. There were more chapters in this book with each being a stand alone story. They are a part of the author’s collection of stories from his own Presbyterian minister’s life.
It took awhile to read because there wasn’t an obvious connection between the chapters so no big urge to keep reading it all right away.
My favorite stories were about the super hyper little boy James born to a teenage mother and a tired overworked grandmother. A couple, Angus and Minnie, in their 90s enveloped James into their loving home and lives, especially the reticent Angus. Everyone in the church and community were consequently enriched.
However there were a few stories where “I scratched my head and wondered what the point was”. Still it’s an enjoyable and touching book.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the stories in the first book, Good News from North Haven, but it was this book that I really connected with. I suppose that is in part because we just went through a church closing in one of the small towns where my husband was pastor, and less than a year later we left the other church also (due to his health issues). So the whole "leaving" part really hits close to home, as well as being Presbyterian in a small midwestern town, although not in Minnesota. And Lindvall tells about people and their lives with such humor and grace, and weaves through it the good news of the love and hope that come from God.

[Kathleen Brandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a pastor of small town churches for most of my career, I could relate to these stories and the characters encountered.

[Kathleen Meacham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quirky, odd, and nice. Good to read something solidly clean. Glad to see the scripture verses.

That said, for me the writing style is strange on 2 counts. 1) A character will be presented in a chapter and then a few chapters later the same character is re-introduced like you don't already know the background -- spoiler alert here -- i.e. Larry who had an accident and became a photographer after he was an unsuccessful realtor-- yes, we know all that, so why outline the character that way again later on? 2) A single sentence would be written that begged for expansion, then the subject would be completely dropped like it was never even there. Five chapters down the road it would suddenly be addressed. When these odd/random sentences were originally thrown out, I would find myself re-reading them a few times and trying to tie them to something, but to no avail. I don't have a problem with hinting at something and then later addressing it, but the way it was done in this book, just did not work.

Also as one of my pet peeves I would be remiss if I did not say that the version I read had some printing errors (missing words) and at one point the character being discussed was referred to by the wrong name. Yes, I double checked it, and this is a personal thing that makes me a little nutsy -- smiles.

All in all the book was a disappointment to me, although it had some touching and humorous moments. Sometimes I found myself scratching my head though and saying "huh"? Even though I love quirky characters i.e. The Mitford Series by Jan Karon (they don't get much quirkier than most of those people), it did not work for me in this book.

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nostalgic and reassuring. Nothing earth shattering but comforting over all