At Home in Mitford (1994)

I started this series long ago when it was one of the hottest series going. I remembered it fondly, but I wasn't sure it would live up to my memories. I was feeling a good amount of stress, so I hoped that it would bring some peace to my reading evenings.

I am glad to report that the town of Mitford had enough going on to keep my interest. According to many sources, Mitford is not Blowing Rock, North Carolina, but that town inspired the author. I have to admit that Mitford had that small-town charm, and the setting was certainly in the North Carolina mountains.

Yes, it depicted a simpler time and life, but the pleasure for me was watching Father Tim grow into a broader life. It wasn't always obvious how his faith was being grown or how his involvement with people was deepening, but the changes in his life were heartening. I know what it is to have a year in turmoil, even though the turmoil was because of all the good things happening to me.

Mitford remains a series I can turn to when I need a bit of calmness. It does have a heavy dose of Christianity, which is fine with me. It was never preachy or overbearing.

I would suggest it for people who enjoy Christian fiction or simple stories of ordinary people in an ordinary world. Don't look for huge amounts of angst or blinding flashes of light; this faith is shown in the actions of the people.

I already have the next book in my "to read" list for the coming year. ( )

A simple Christian story about people living an apparently easy life in a small town. No complicated plot, just people existing to be nice to others. ( )

Still a delight. I originally read this book in January 2005, and then listened to this Focus on the Family Radio Theater production in February 2005. This month, I listened to it again. I love that Dean Jones reads the part of Father Tim. ( )

I read every Mitford book by Jan Karon many years ago. Nice stories and easy way to get away. Don't know that I would read new books but I certainly enjoyed them at the time that I read them. ( )

It's easy to feel at home in Mitford. In these high, green hills, the air is pure, the village is charming, and the people are generally lovable. Yet, Father Tim, the bachelor rector, wants something more. Enter a dog the size of a sofa who moves in and won't go away. Add an attractive neighbor who begins wearing a path through the hedge. Now, stir in a lovable but unloved boy, a mystifying jewel theft, and a secret that's sixty years old. Suddenly, Father Tim gets more than he bargained for. And readers get a rich comedy about ordinary people and their ordinary lives. ( )