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

Mitford Years #1-8

by Jan Karon

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

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction

446 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1994

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

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read this series at least three times I have found to be like comfort food for the soul. I love Father Tim, I love Mitford and the cast of characters. The series got me through two deployments and a couple of really rough years - helping me to see a much different view of life.

To this day, when I am down, I go to Mitford and enjoy the ride!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series by Jan Karon. They make me feel at peace, even on the worst of days, I could come home and pick up the latest one that I was reading and within minutes I would lose myself in this wonderful little town of Mitford. I have recommended this series to so many people and everyone has enjoyed them.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

My girlfriend leant me the first of these books and, much to my surprise, I loved it. I am working my way slowly through the series 10 minutes at a time during my quiet time first thing in the morning. It sets a delightful tone for the day, and has me reading Wordsworth again. The bucolic small town and it's lovable characters seen through the eyes of people nearly my age who have found love again is inspiring. Although one of the main characters is a preacher, it seldom preaches but rather lives life through a very palpable faith which is tried by life's events. For me it is a wonderful start to the day.

[Garden Gal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please do not refuse to read this because it has no high-speed chases or people whose bodies draw every eye the second they enter a room.

These books made me laugh out loud in spite of myself; visiting this community is the best antidepressant that needs no doctor's Rx.

I had declined the invitations of two good friends at two different times, thinking that "sweet" automatically "unqualified" these books for my reading time. I had to admit I was wrong.

Karon's newest, Come Rain or Come Shine, continues the series in an excellent manner.

[Dolores Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed these books so much I didn't want to have them end or to put them down. I have read them all 2 times and plan on reading them again. I love Fr. Tim. I know he isn't a real person, but feel he is someone we would all feel blessed to know and pattern ourselves after. I especially like that she tells about our Episcopal Church and the services; and how inclusive we are.
I have since read them again. I feel very much at home in Mitford.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this series MANY years ago and enjoyed it. I've recently completed the series in audiobook format and cannot recommend it highly enough. John McDonough IS Fr. Tim and he brings the books to life. I plan to listen again and again. My only disappointment is that the Fr. Tim Series, which takes up where the Mitford Series leaves off, is read by a different actor. I really don't know if I can listen to them!

[Paula Girard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read all nine of the books in this series. They are easy reads and you absolutely fall in love with the characters. The books were my mothers and once I started reading them, I couldn't stop. Mother also had two off shoot books that are all of Father Tim's sayings and bible verses in his handwriting. These are two of my favorites and I look through them often.

[Jane Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are outstanding. They take you into another world where you share in the lives of countless residences of a little town of Mitford. Each one has a positive impact on your life. Father Tim and his wife Cynthia show us how marriage can be a growth process for both and how together they have an impact on many lives.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the simplicity and normalcy of the manifestations of common and particular grace in a small town and amidst God's people. When things seem too complicated or discouraging, I can go to these books and re-read (sort of like watching re-runs of Andy Griffith Show) and be calmed.

[Tempo Hamm]

The Mitford Series was one of the most enjoyable series of books to read. Laced with humor, the characters come alive with each page turn. I read this series several years ago and plan to read it again in the very near future.

[Kathie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series more than any other book series I've ever read. I've read and re-read these books. I've listened and re-listened to the book on CD. SUCH A GREAT STORY!! Every time I finished a book I missed the folks of Mitford like family-always happy when she wrote a new book!

[Alice Lerp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mitford is the perfect home town. I just love Father Tim and Cynthia and Dooley and Barnabas and Uncle Billy and Miss Sadie... You get the picture. Ms. Karon has created a cast of totally believable and loveable characters. Her books are true "comfort food" in book form. Love them!

[Della · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading the first book "At Home in Mitford". I really liked it and am looking forward to the second book "A Light in the Window". A truly relaxing read.
I have finished them all and really enjoyed them.

[Christine Gentile-harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are a warm and wonderful journey into a place you will want to stay for a while. The characters will go into your mind and heart. Such a good read:)

[Jean Mehochko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jan Karon's books are consistently exactly what I want in a fiction read. Sweet, surprising escapism. You quickly grow to love her characters. I would love to see a new one come out.

[Tarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this sweet series about how amazing an ordinary life can be.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

She began writing this series while living in Blowing Rock, NC. It has that flavor of home for me. I think she refers to it as 'gentle fiction'.

[Dailyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is one of my favorites. So sweet; it is a great story about a rector in the small, charismatic town of Mitford, North Carolina.

[Maria Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Mitford series of books. Very enjoyable characters and even though the events are largely just day to day normal activities it is still fun to read.

[Kim Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, heart-warming, full of truth--I return to this series of books over and over. They are among my absolute favorites!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read these books every couple of years. I enjoy the characters, find new thoughts to ponder, and generally enjoy the small town feel.

[Susan Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series about Father Tim and Cynthia in Mitford. It has great characters and stories. Now I can't wait to read Jan Karon's new book.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is comfort food for me. I re-read them when I need an easy, familiar read. sacchariney sweet and fine by me.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series, but this wasn't my favorite. Somehow it seemed too disconnected while trying to reconnect to all the previous characters. It wasn't my favorite.

[Dorothy Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely book about small town life. I loved this book and can't wait to read book two in the series of four on Mitford.

[Pat Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jan Karon writes a story about people living their lives--some a little strange, some dysfunctional, but all rather good people with situations they must deal with. Father Tim is the Episcopalian priest who links them all together. A lot of characters, but the reader comes to know them very well over time.

This is what I call a true good read. It leaves you wanting to know what these people are doing, and why--and you care as a reader. Well done, characters developed, and their is not the emphasis on a lot of dysfunctional people that seems to sadly be the norm for so many books, especially in mysteries.

I re-read the first three. Definitely a good, sit-by-the-fire with your hot beverage and enjoy!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for a series...and this one is one of my favorites. Recommend highly.

[KellyK · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite series of books!

[Jeanne M Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book

[Sally Wolfsberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything about the Mitford series. Food for the soul. I have read every one of Jan Karon’s books multiple times. Especially wonderful in today’s turmoil.