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Mitford Years #8
Shepherds Abiding
The eighth novel in the beloved Mitford series, by the bestselling author of At Home in Mitford and Somebody Safe with Somebody Good
Millions of Americans have found Mitford to be a favorite home-away-from-home, and countless readers have long wondered what Christmas in Mitford would be like. The eighth Mitford novel provides a glimpse, offering a meditation on the best of all presents: the gift of one's heart.Since he was a boy, Father Tim has lived what he calls "the life of the mind" and has never really learned to savor the work of his hands. When he finds a derelict nativity scene that has suffered the indignities of time and neglect, he imagines the excitement in the eyes of his wife, Cynthia, and decides to undertake the daunting task of restoring it. As Father Tim begins his journey, readers are given a seat at Mitford's holiday table and treated to a magical tale about the true Christmas spirit.
Millions of Americans have found Mitford to be a favorite home-away-from-home, and countless readers have long wondered what Christmas in Mitford would be like. The eighth Mitford novel provides a glimpse, offering a meditation on the best of all presents: the gift of one's heart.Since he was a boy, Father Tim has lived what he calls "the life of the mind" and has never really learned to savor the work of his hands. When he finds a derelict nativity scene that has suffered the indignities of time and neglect, he imagines the excitement in the eyes of his wife, Cynthia, and decides to undertake the daunting task of restoring it. As Father Tim begins his journey, readers are given a seat at Mitford's holiday table and treated to a magical tale about the true Christmas spirit.
365 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
788 people are currently reading
4423 people want to read
About the author
Jan Karon
144 books2,650 followersBorn 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 886 reviews
December 22, 2010
I read Jan Karon's Shepherds Abiding every year at Christmas time and every year I find another heart warming message I hadn't found before. This years message was 'The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.' It wasn't even close to any usual Christmas message I've treasured over the years. But the part about keeping an untroubled spirit encouraged such a feeling of free-spiritness in me. This book is about how an retired minister makes his Christmas in the small town of Mitford. All of the Mitford series characters are present but this time we get to see more of the ones that have kept a low profile in her other books. What a joy it was to get to know them better. As a gift to myself, I think I'll keep this book close this Christmas season to remind myself to keep an untroubled spirit during this busy time.
December 22, 2011
Who knew that books could be just like comfort food? I've not read the Mitford books, stumbled onto this one (#8) because I'm on a Christmas-book reading binge this month.
I listened to this one and it was like having mac and cheese made by mom, or vanilla wafer/banana pudding or homemade egg custard with nutmeg browned on top. SIGH...I feel like I've gone home -- At various times during the story I felt as if I was in my childhood home town. Then there were parts that reminded me of the town where my children grew up, even parts that reminded me of facets of life with friends here in a Mexican retirement community.
It just FELT good, and comfortable, and easy. What skill Jan Karon has, with characters, dialogue and setting a scene. I loved the old guys in the beruffled pink tea-room "where all the food is one food wrapped inside another food."
Sweet, sweet, sweet. without being sappy or smaltzy...well ok, it's a Christmas story -- they are supposed to pull a few heart strings, ok???
I listened to this one and it was like having mac and cheese made by mom, or vanilla wafer/banana pudding or homemade egg custard with nutmeg browned on top. SIGH...I feel like I've gone home -- At various times during the story I felt as if I was in my childhood home town. Then there were parts that reminded me of the town where my children grew up, even parts that reminded me of facets of life with friends here in a Mexican retirement community.
It just FELT good, and comfortable, and easy. What skill Jan Karon has, with characters, dialogue and setting a scene. I loved the old guys in the beruffled pink tea-room "where all the food is one food wrapped inside another food."
Sweet, sweet, sweet. without being sappy or smaltzy...well ok, it's a Christmas story -- they are supposed to pull a few heart strings, ok???
December 19, 2018
I'm so glad I took the time to re-read this. Updated review to come.
FIRST READ
*happy sigh* This is just such a beautiful book, y'all! Such a sweet, fun, simple Christmas read. Highly recommended!
FIRST READ
*happy sigh* This is just such a beautiful book, y'all! Such a sweet, fun, simple Christmas read. Highly recommended!
December 9, 2023
Is this my favorite Mitford novel? Nah. But it’s hardly Christmas to me if I go a year without reading it.
December 28, 2024
In the midst of a busy Christmas season, I always find some quiet time to return to small town Mitford by rereading this book. I cannot recommend it to everyone as it is #8 in Jan Karon's endearing Father Tim / Mitford series. 5 stars
December 14, 2022
From the 2022 reread: rereading this series w my sister who is reading it for the first time. Timing worked out perfectly to read this one in December. The series does get better with age and I think, with my age. I appreciate gentler fiction as I get older so it just becomes more tailor made for me as the years pass. Highly recommended.
From the 2021 reread:
I loved this reread. I love these characters so much and the audio narrations by John McDonough can’t be beat. I may just reread the ninth book.....I’m sorry I skipped right over this one, thinking it wouldn’t disturb the order of things bc it did and I shouldn’t have done it. What a great series that gets better with age.
****From the 2011 reread****
This was a reread for me but I love the Mitford series. Excellent non-preachy Christian lit about a small NC mtn town you'd love to live in or visit.
From the 2021 reread:
I loved this reread. I love these characters so much and the audio narrations by John McDonough can’t be beat. I may just reread the ninth book.....I’m sorry I skipped right over this one, thinking it wouldn’t disturb the order of things bc it did and I shouldn’t have done it. What a great series that gets better with age.
****From the 2011 reread****
This was a reread for me but I love the Mitford series. Excellent non-preachy Christian lit about a small NC mtn town you'd love to live in or visit.
November 5, 2023
(I wrote this review in 2007)
I finished Shepherds Abiding. It didn't matter that it was the eighth in the series and that I didn't know all the characters...the story was exactly what I needed this week.
I've been thinking a lot about things and people that I miss (especially around the holidays), things I'm unhappy about (yes, there are some), the fact that the living room won't stay cleaned (it's a living room), and the general imperfection that always seems to interfere and mess up the perfect life I thought I was somehow entitled to.
Shepherds Abiding is full of imagery of things imperfect, broken, less than ideal. One-winged angels, families with missing siblings, lost letters, and, central to it all, an antique Nativity set that Father Tim is restoring as a Christmas present for his wife.
In a nice touch of irony, as Father Tim is consulting Botticelli paintings to choose the perfect colours for angels' robes, old Uncle Billy down the street is also making a present for his own wife: a wooden tray for her jewelery, with handles swiped from the kitchen cabinets. Both gifts are welcomed and loved.
The book is about restoring, repairing, finding what has been lost, and reconciling the past and the present. And even about extending grace from unexpected quarters: another couple sit "in their twin recliners" in front of a fake fireplace that "featured a forty-watt bulb that flowed through a revolving sheet of red cellophane." The wife opens a gift from a neighbour and recognizes something that she herself donated to a rummage sale "a hundred years ago."
"And to think I gave her a two-layer marmalade [cake]" [she said.]
"Th' poor woman has a gimp leg, Esther, which don't leave much room for shoppin'. Besides, why
did you put it in th' Bane an' Blessin'? It looks perfectly good to me."
"Well, yes," said Esther, examining it more carefully. "After I put it in, I wished I hadn't."
"See?" said her husband, hammering down on a couple of cashews. "What goes around comes
around."
It's about finding peace, mystery and wonder at Christmas in whatever place in the story you happen to be...understanding that God is allowing you to be a part of it all...whether your life is about Renaissance angels, or recliners, or somewhere in between.
It's about allowing some living room.
I finished Shepherds Abiding. It didn't matter that it was the eighth in the series and that I didn't know all the characters...the story was exactly what I needed this week.
I've been thinking a lot about things and people that I miss (especially around the holidays), things I'm unhappy about (yes, there are some), the fact that the living room won't stay cleaned (it's a living room), and the general imperfection that always seems to interfere and mess up the perfect life I thought I was somehow entitled to.
Shepherds Abiding is full of imagery of things imperfect, broken, less than ideal. One-winged angels, families with missing siblings, lost letters, and, central to it all, an antique Nativity set that Father Tim is restoring as a Christmas present for his wife.
In a nice touch of irony, as Father Tim is consulting Botticelli paintings to choose the perfect colours for angels' robes, old Uncle Billy down the street is also making a present for his own wife: a wooden tray for her jewelery, with handles swiped from the kitchen cabinets. Both gifts are welcomed and loved.
The book is about restoring, repairing, finding what has been lost, and reconciling the past and the present. And even about extending grace from unexpected quarters: another couple sit "in their twin recliners" in front of a fake fireplace that "featured a forty-watt bulb that flowed through a revolving sheet of red cellophane." The wife opens a gift from a neighbour and recognizes something that she herself donated to a rummage sale "a hundred years ago."
"And to think I gave her a two-layer marmalade [cake]" [she said.]
"Th' poor woman has a gimp leg, Esther, which don't leave much room for shoppin'. Besides, why
did you put it in th' Bane an' Blessin'? It looks perfectly good to me."
"Well, yes," said Esther, examining it more carefully. "After I put it in, I wished I hadn't."
"See?" said her husband, hammering down on a couple of cashews. "What goes around comes
around."
It's about finding peace, mystery and wonder at Christmas in whatever place in the story you happen to be...understanding that God is allowing you to be a part of it all...whether your life is about Renaissance angels, or recliners, or somewhere in between.
It's about allowing some living room.
December 4, 2024
A lovely, Christmassy read with plenty of light and hope and the usual Mitford shenanigans. I love seeing Father Tim and Cynthia’s relationship. Their dialogue is so often such fun to read, especially when it’s Christmas and “that, of course, explains everything!”
This book reminds me of A Common Life in that we see snapshots of what’s going on in the minds and lives of other characters whom we ordinarily wouldn’t spend much time with. JC’s battle with Velma and the ensuing struggle of the Turkey Club to find a new place to eat are hilarious. Jan Karon’s writing style is perfect for this type of story.
The book does repeat the popular misconception that December would have been too cold for the shepherds to be in the fields, but that’s a very small thing. A great read for Christmas or any other time of year!
This book reminds me of A Common Life in that we see snapshots of what’s going on in the minds and lives of other characters whom we ordinarily wouldn’t spend much time with. JC’s battle with Velma and the ensuing struggle of the Turkey Club to find a new place to eat are hilarious. Jan Karon’s writing style is perfect for this type of story.
The book does repeat the popular misconception that December would have been too cold for the shepherds to be in the fields, but that’s a very small thing. A great read for Christmas or any other time of year!
December 14, 2017
I intentionally read this last (that's right, I've read all the Mitford/Father Tim books now!!) because I realized it was a Christmas book so I wanted to read it at Christmas time. Father Tim finds an old derelict nativity scene and decides to refurbish it as a surprise for Cynthia. Other Mitford townspeople get into the holiday spirit. That's about it.
But it's sweet and Christmas-y and I love how so many people get involved with helping Father Tim meet the Christmas deadline. Good Mitford book to go out on, although now I ought to read them all in order.
But it's sweet and Christmas-y and I love how so many people get involved with helping Father Tim meet the Christmas deadline. Good Mitford book to go out on, although now I ought to read them all in order.
August 24, 2024
It just keeps getting better and better.
August 9, 2020
First time reading this gem!!! Loved it completely.
December 27, 2007
Like comfort food, this is a comfort book. I unabashedly love Jan Karon's novels.
January 10, 2025
Books read & reviewed: 1️⃣4️⃣🥖4️⃣0️⃣0️⃣
╔⏤⏤⏤╝❀╚⏤⏤⏤╗
3️⃣🌟, it forgets its own characters a
——————————————————————
I feel like this book is more of a book about all the people in town living their life having many experiences on christmas and that this book is not really focusing on a single person even though that is what the synopsis might look like. The introduction and the plot exploration of the "main characters" or so it may be could literally only be found on the ending or on some parts of the book, it was quite fun doe
➕➖0️⃣1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣4️⃣5️⃣6️⃣7️⃣8️⃣9️⃣🔟✖️➗
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*Pre-Read✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
Ooh a Christmas novel, christmas ended already doe
╔⏤⏤⏤╝❀╚⏤⏤⏤╗
3️⃣🌟, it forgets its own characters a
——————————————————————
I feel like this book is more of a book about all the people in town living their life having many experiences on christmas and that this book is not really focusing on a single person even though that is what the synopsis might look like. The introduction and the plot exploration of the "main characters" or so it may be could literally only be found on the ending or on some parts of the book, it was quite fun doe
➕➖0️⃣1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣4️⃣5️⃣6️⃣7️⃣8️⃣9️⃣🔟✖️➗
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*Pre-Read✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
Ooh a Christmas novel, christmas ended already doe
December 7, 2020
Well... I've just finished this and really didn't enjoy it too much. The writing was actually pretty good and not as contrived and cheesy as I'd feared. However, it seemed so disjointed throughout---jumping from one scene to another like a soap opera, and sometimes without any indication who was talking and what scene we were actually in. I'm assuming this is her writing style and probably not as irritating if one is familiar with the characters. I definitely needed to read the prequels to follow this one.
I really didn't like the crazy rush that surrounded the priest's Christmas preparations...I can't stand it when stories feature crazy people running around like headless chickens, only to find "peace" on Christmas Day. Of all people, he should understand the concept of Sabbath and a peaceful rest of contemplation. Christmas is a manmade holiday so I can't tell one how to celebrate it, but if you are running around like a psycho the other 364 days of the year, the "peace" of Christmas might be difficult to find.
Toward the end of the book, I was just reading to finish without really paying attention to characters. Again, she shifts so quickly...
My husband and I are watching the Father Brown mysteries on BritBox so that is the figure I had in my mind for this character the whole time. I don't know how I would have followed it if it weren't for that. Ha!
My favorite quote from the book was this: "Many things that deserved to be believed, he believed with all his might." I love that. I plan to keep this around until next Christmas and see if I read the other Mitford books in the meantime. Maybe I'll enjoy it more then.
I really didn't like the crazy rush that surrounded the priest's Christmas preparations...I can't stand it when stories feature crazy people running around like headless chickens, only to find "peace" on Christmas Day. Of all people, he should understand the concept of Sabbath and a peaceful rest of contemplation. Christmas is a manmade holiday so I can't tell one how to celebrate it, but if you are running around like a psycho the other 364 days of the year, the "peace" of Christmas might be difficult to find.
Toward the end of the book, I was just reading to finish without really paying attention to characters. Again, she shifts so quickly...
My husband and I are watching the Father Brown mysteries on BritBox so that is the figure I had in my mind for this character the whole time. I don't know how I would have followed it if it weren't for that. Ha!
My favorite quote from the book was this: "Many things that deserved to be believed, he believed with all his might." I love that. I plan to keep this around until next Christmas and see if I read the other Mitford books in the meantime. Maybe I'll enjoy it more then.
May 2, 2023
This was a lovely little book, #8 in the Mitford series. Though this is not my usual genre, I adore this series. Even if you are not a church goer, there are wonderful messages throughout these books. For me, the series is warm, comforting, and takes me back to small town life, where most people know each other, care for each other, have community spirit, and where being kind is still important. The world today often seems to lack these qualities and I feel as though after reading one of these books, that maybe there are places on earth still like this, and this offers hope in a world that is so cold and cruel at times. Mitford is a place where love never dies. Corny? Yes. Sometimes we all need corny.
August 3, 2024
2024: This is my third time to read this one, and I can't figure out why I used to consider it my least favorite. I loved revisiting all of these characters.
2020: A pleasant book to read during the Christmas season.
I had seen this (book #8) described somewhere as a "stand alone," but that is not true. I read the whole series years ago and was able to remember some of the characters, but I can see how a first-time reader would be utterly confused with the rapid entrance and exit of dozens of Mitford folks in the storyline.
I highly recommend the whole series.
2020: A pleasant book to read during the Christmas season.
I had seen this (book #8) described somewhere as a "stand alone," but that is not true. I read the whole series years ago and was able to remember some of the characters, but I can see how a first-time reader would be utterly confused with the rapid entrance and exit of dozens of Mitford folks in the storyline.
I highly recommend the whole series.
January 13, 2015
What a lovely time of year to listen to this Mitford tale. I don't know if I actually read this one back when I was reading through the series. May have overlooked it. Loved the evidence of God working in the citizens of Mitford as Father Tim works on a dilapidated nativity set for Cynthia as a surprise Christmas gift.
December 18, 2019
Don't read this or any other Jan Karon book in a hurry. They are not written with riveting plot-lines. They are quiet and thoughtful. They are subtle and they are gentle. They are Christian but not preachy. Read them to discover how to pull small town love into your live no matter where you live. This is a delightful little book.
April 28, 2019
5 stars and a ❤️
January 1, 2019
Review coming. A wonderful read for Christmastide.
January 1, 2019
Fun fluff.
May 20, 2024
Trekking along in Mitford. I think I was so wrapped up in book #7 that this one fell a bit flat for me. I'm a sucker for a good Christmas tale, and I did love the point of this one which was to remind us that God came to heal our brokenness. But it was a story that felt like it was designed to pander to the Mitford audience, rather than tell us a solid story.
Sweet as always. Just not my favorite.
Sweet as always. Just not my favorite.
April 20, 2020
This was a lovely book to read just after Christmas before the season felt like it was really over and as a first book completed for 2020. I love this series. I hope to read more of this series this year and maybe even finish it. This book is about Father Tim, now retired, working on a Christmas project for his wife, but he is not sure he is up for the challenge. Others in town have many changes coming in their lives, some of which will affect the town as a whole as one business is closing because of the retirement of it's owners. I love the care the community has for one another and the Spiritual emphasis in these books. I highly recommend this series.
My favorite quote from this book is a prayer...
" 'Almighty God, our heavenly Father...' He prayed the words he had learned as a young curate, and never forgotten. '...who settest the solitary in families: We commend to thy continual care the homes in which thy people dwell. Put far from them, we beseech thee, every root of bitterness, the desire of vainglory, and the pride of life. Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness. Knit together in constant affection those who, in holy wedlock, have been made one flesh. Turn the hearts of the parents to the children, and the hearts of the children to the parents to the children, and the hearts of the children to the parents; and so enkindle fervent charity among us all, that we may evermore be kindly affectioned one to another; through Jesus Christ our Lord.' " (pg 252-253)
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt(s) –
#29 - A book with a bird on the cover
#34 - A book you meant to read in 2019
My favorite quote from this book is a prayer...
" 'Almighty God, our heavenly Father...' He prayed the words he had learned as a young curate, and never forgotten. '...who settest the solitary in families: We commend to thy continual care the homes in which thy people dwell. Put far from them, we beseech thee, every root of bitterness, the desire of vainglory, and the pride of life. Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness. Knit together in constant affection those who, in holy wedlock, have been made one flesh. Turn the hearts of the parents to the children, and the hearts of the children to the parents to the children, and the hearts of the children to the parents; and so enkindle fervent charity among us all, that we may evermore be kindly affectioned one to another; through Jesus Christ our Lord.' " (pg 252-253)
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt(s) –
#29 - A book with a bird on the cover
#34 - A book you meant to read in 2019
March 22, 2022
Number Eight in the series does not disappoint , whether you read the Christmas-themed volume in December or any other month. And the author lets us know where she stands on the Christmas merchandising that starts in October. Blast! But the growth of several characters and relationships is a sweet counterpoint to a bit of sermonizing. Lew Boyd, owner of Mitford’s only gas station, is a poignant example of a life that takes a much-needed upturn, and we’re with him all the way. Which all just leaves me looking very much forward to #9.
August 1, 2021
This lovely book contains so many favorite things that surround the Christmas season - the beauty of the Gospel (unto us a child is born!), family, gift giving, snow, the North Carolina mountains, music, a book shop, kindness, and so many simple things that add up to joy. It’s a book to be read any time if the year!
November 12, 2015
It's been a long time since I read a Mitford book and I know I used to like them a lot. This one is preacher than I remembered and choppily written so that it's sometimes hard to figure out who's talking. Probably my last Mitford.
December 18, 2023
This wasn’t the best on audio as the parts from different characters were a little hard to follow even with the great narrator. The story was great though and I enjoyed it!
April 9, 2025
A very quick and satisfying novel. It would be the perfect story to read before Christmas or in my case before Easter. Father Tim buys a manger set but it needs repairs, sanding and paint. It’s a secret gift for Father Tim’s wife. Cynthia works on a secret for him as well. He manages to get a lot of the village to help and Tim discovers unknown talents. Billy makes a special gift for his wife, Hope receives a longed for gift, and one man who had lived apart from his new wife gets a wonderful surprise because of prayer mediated by Father Tim. All in all, a heart felt, meaningful book. I did not want it to end.
January 12, 2025
A true feel-good novel. Had to stop myself from tearing up at work while finishing it.
November 20, 2018
Not my genre. Was looking for an uplifting holiday read, but I couldn’t make it past the first 5 chapters. Maybe I’m at a complete disadvantage, not having read any of the other Mitford books, because I had no idea what was going on or who all the characters were. Very confusing jumping back and forth between characters. And way too religious. Not for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 886 reviews