At Home in Mitford / A Light in the Window / These High, Green Hills / Out to Canaan / A New Song / A Common Life

Mitford Years #1-6

by Jan Karon

The first six novels in the bestselling Mitford series feature Father Tim Cavanaugh, his wife Cynthia, and all the characters that have made Mitford a very real place in the hearts of readers everywhere. There are 30 million copies of Jan Karon’s books in print. This boxed set At Home in Mitford A Light in the Window These High, Green Hills Out to Canaan A New Song A Common The Wedding Story

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Humor, Contemporary, Inspirational, Faith, Christian

2114 pages, Paperback

Published September 24, 2002

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

[Pamelabyoung · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot find the words to express how much I adore this series. First of all, I love a book with a map. I know it's a small thing, but it is a really huge thing to me. Every time a place wass mentioned in the first book, I consulted the map. I love to look at maps before I travel, so it only makes sense that something so simple would mean so much to me in a book.

The characters of these books are so realistic to me and having shared these stories with my mother and mother-in-law, both of whom are now in Heaven, is something I will always cherish. Father Tim and Cynthia will never be forgotten by this small town girl. In fact, I'm inclined to pulling these books out again tonight.

[Julie Paulsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this series several times. They are my go to books when I need a pick me up. Despite tackling some hard issues, these stories are uplifting and humorous. I want to live in Mitford and be friends with Father Tim and Cynthia.

[Sharon]

Probably silly since my "to read list" is so long, but I was just in the mood to read this series all over again. The books are so "feel good" and put me in the holiday spirit. I wanted to re-live the Mitford experience all over again and decided to read them consecutively from book 1. Maybe I'll change my mind part way, but as of now, that is my plan!

[Cindy Parsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

You absolutely fall in love with Father Tim and Cynthia, head over heels in love. The characters and community of Mitford are so addicting you will want to move there when you are through with the series! You can practically taste Esther's two layer orange marmalade cake and Puny's signature cornbread! And coming from a southern background, myself, these books bring back the nostalgia of southern hospitality and friendliness! I always feel rejuvenated after reading these books! I highly recommend them!

[Jaime Miller-lópez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series. My 75+ yr old Grandma & I share them, and have made it all the way through. Funny confession...? I think I (in my late-20's) actually enjoyed them a bit more than she did!! Haha :). We purchased the series, and it is currently in Boston w/my Aunt and younger cousins :). How perfectly ironic and cute! ^_^

[Rita Anguiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved reading about Father Tim and all the crazy things that happened. It was like watching a movie about life with fun and tragedies and a lot of love. I looked forward to seeing where the story would go. Lots of great characters.

[Jan Klassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun reads!

[Jeanne M Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Mitford series

[Toni Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a wedding. The whole book consisting of 186 pages is devoted to Tim and Cynthia's wedding. I enjoyed reading every minute of it. Now on to book seven in the Mitford series.

[Susie Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hilarious, comforting, tear jerking, series. The insights into human experiences, and feelings and struggles made me you feel close to the characters. Well done!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

E

[Jean Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very nice series

[Debra Hale-Shelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A colleague of mine lent me her book. I resisted it for a long time, so sure I would not like it. Finally, for whatever reason, I picked it up and fell in love with Mitford. They're not great literature. They are great books in that they have made so many people smile and share them with each other. I talked with Jan Karon by phone some months before her final Mitford novel, just as she was releasing the Mitford cookbook. She was most kind and humble and not at all the prim-and-proper woman I had expected. As for the Episcopal minister -- the chief character in all of the Mitford books -- well, he's just too conservative for her, she said. Clearly, though, there's a bit of Jan Karon in children's author Cynthia Kavanaugh, ultimately the preacher's wife. Later, I learned that my mother-in-law was a Mitford fan as was a respected friend of mine at a small church I attended in Wilmette, Illinois. So many diverse people just can't resist Mitford.

[Karey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read the entire Mitford/Father Tim series by Jan Karon. Great books. The stories are sweet and meaningful. There is always a life lesson as well as a spiritual lesson learned from her books. The characters are mostly simple and down to earth country folk. You can't help but root for Father Tim as he evolves from bachelor Minister, to Father of an orphan boy, and then to Husband! His wife Cynthia is loving and kind, and is a good free-spirited balance to Father Tim's more serious side. In the later books Karon focuses more on Father Tim's past, as he and Cynthia go off and travel to find out more about his heritage. They are never too far from Mitford though, as his trusted secretary Emma keeps him posted on all of the town's latest news and gossip.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are my ultimate feel-good books! Whenever I feel down or bored, I pull out one of these and life is sunshiney again. My favorite was probably "In This Mountain", but they're all fantastic. I love books with colorful and realistic characters, and that's what Jan Karon excels at. The people in Mitford are mostly amazingly normal, but they're all so real that you feel like they're your personal friends. While the stories aren't that strong (in fact, the general feeling of Karon's writing is much like J.K. Rowling's), it's almost as if she doesn't want them to be; a detailed story line would detract from the people, and the people are what she's interested in.

[Deborah Bobo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am currently listening to this series and I wish I could move to the fictional town of Mitford, NC. Father Tim is the central character in the stories, but the town is filled with wonderful characters that you just want to meet and be friends with. I even picked up the Mitford cook book at the library. The dishes in the book sound so delicious, I just had to give some of them a try.



Jan Karon's writing is exquisite and John McDonough brings the characters and the town to life. I don't always enjoy listening to a book, but this series is certainly well done and has me laughing out loud at times. I will definitely listen to the entire series - "Consider it done!"

[Mary Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are the best books ever! I have every one of them and have shared them with all my sisters and friends. They all love them as well.
A minister in a small town in South Carolina deals with the wacky people in his parish and town. Lots of fun, wacky characters. You actually become part of Mitford and can't wait to open the book to see what happens to this person or that person. Don't let the religious part of it keep you away from this series. It is not a religous book. It is funny, unique, very interesting and you'll fall in love with Father Tim and Mitford.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always say I'm 26 going on 45, but the fact that I like these books as much as I do makes me way older. More like 60. No one in my peer group would like these. Unless you're Mormon, Christian, home-schooled, or happily Midwestern. Even my 87 year old grandma was bored. But, I really love these books. They center around a 60 something bachelor Episcopalian priest living in a small Southern town. All sorts of adorable things happen to him and it's so wholesome and sweet. I'm sure you'll never know.

[Alicia Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I do wish I could have reviewed these books one book at a time. This is a very subdued read but I really fell in love with the characters. Growing up in the south I just knew these characters almost on a deeper level. I cried when someone died and laughed at strange humor.
I skimmed over the scriptural verses/poems... Well I know just being honest... That stuff puts me to sleep! lol
But I appreciated it. I loved the main character because he was so normal and boring. I felt like a proud mother when he would find a road less traveled and on the road found deep happiness.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple serenity. That's the phrase that comes to mind when I think of the Mitford series. I was introduced to them through a book group and I almost didn't read them because I thought they would be slow, preachy and boring. I was pleased to discover that I was...oh can I admit it...wrong. Deep and engaging, no. Comforting and delightful, yes!
They are a welcome respite from all that is hectic and crazy.

[Bagger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you just want to read something that makes you feel good. The Mitford series is just that, don't be confused by the covers of these books. For Jan Karon has created a group of characters that are not only a joy to read but also people that you end up caring about over the course of the Mitford series of books.
Its not a deep intellectual series of books, nor is it fluff read, I would say its a little bit like life, a bit of everything all rolled into one.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this whole series. You wouldn't think the life of a small town 60 year old bachelor priest would make for a good read. But I truly love these books. I read them over and over again whenever I am in the mood for a heartwarming read. No matter your faith this book has great spiritual lessons to learn. It's really a study of people and a community and relationships. You really do feel " at home" in Mitford and feel as you become a member of the town yourself.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series -- no, there wasn't a heavy duty plot to be found, and the characters didn't have dark sides, and the town was too cute to be real, but I believe that is the point. It's a charming read for those days when you just need a lift instead of a reminder that there is evil in the world. And frankly, I never thought of them as "Christian" reads, although that's how it keeps getting classified in the reviews I read on this list.

[Ykoulouthros · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love these "cozy" books by Jan Karon--there are also three more in the series (goes up to nine) set in a friendly, small fictional Southern town. Written in the third person from largely the town's pastor's perspective, these quick reads are spiritual and uplifting without being patronizing or proselytizing. While they don't fall--or aspire to fall--in the "classics" category, Karon's stories are a welcome break from all the chaos that can envelope our modern word.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jan Karon makes you a resident of a small town where not only do you know everyone, you care about them, too. I hated reading the last book knowing that there'd be no more. But...you'll love re-reading them. The characterizations are so fine-tuned you'll swear you'd know these people if you saw them in Mitford.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheesy, saccharine, and some of my favorite books ever written. I fell in love with these characters and with each book, felt like I was at home in Mitford. Father Tim is a picture of grace. I have a problem with series reading, so I've still got the last one bookmarked on my nightstand, but I love these stories.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these books. Reading them was like a little refuge in an otherwise crazy world. I loved the characters & couldn't wait to find out what kind of crazy schemes they were up to in each book. What made reading these even better was that they were passed between my mom & I and my Aunt Mary (R.I.P.) and my Nana (R.I.P.).

[Randi · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I had a hard time getting into this book. Not my typical type of story but I'm glad I stuck it out. It was such a refreshing book. I really appreciated it at this particular time in my life. I had to read the rest of the series and am buying the whole series. I got to love the characters. I was sad when I finished I searched for more.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this series! What an uplifting set of books. I love the small town, southern folks. You very easily fall in love with Father Tim and his goodness to everyone. I liked that he was real and grouchy and not perfect. I loved how he meddled in peoples lives. Sometimes we don't meddle enough! I know I've rambled, but these were great books.

[Kelly Bastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this series while I was pregnant and on bedrest with triplets. I couldn't get enough of it! I love Father Tim, the main character, and all of the townspeople. This is definitely one of my favorite book series of all time. The first book took me a little while to get into, but I was hooked by the end. It is a very uplifting, clean series.