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One Shenandoah Winter
An eccentric old man is dying of cancer, and his painfully proud daughter must ask an embittered doctor for help. In this moving story of sacrifice, sorrow, and redemption, a quiet town in the Shenandoah Valley and the powerful city of Washington D.C. become the settings for a story of personal healing and renewed faith. Written by a beloved and best-selling author, One Shenandoah Winter is a heart-touching novella that reveals the true meaning of Christmas.
265 pages, Hardcover
First published October 7, 1998
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284 people want to read
About the author
T. Davis Bunn
80 books149 followersAlso writes under the names Thomas Locke and Davis Bunn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
February 8, 2019
A bitter and disillusioned doctor gets more than he bargained for after moving to a small isolated Appalachian town to start over. I was moved by this touching and inspirational story (told from a faith based, Christian perspective.)
November 6, 2015
What I just may've loved about this little hardback book the most? The illustrations! Nice, soft, cozy ones in gray hues, spread throughout the pages. Who says adults aren't supposed to get a kick out of books with pictures? I wish far more novels had them.
This winter tale of a small American town in the hills in the 60s is a rather somber one, but it does have its fiery moments, along with good helpings of light and laughter. Some places struck me as not being the subtlest of this author's work, as if the story were trying a little too hard. And while the restful pacing of this novel is fitting, some points seemed to slip from simply resting into stalling.
But the story holds all of the seasonal charm I expected it to. Definitely the kind of novel to curl up and read with a hot mug of cocoa. Or coffee, for those who are partial to that particular beverage.
This winter tale of a small American town in the hills in the 60s is a rather somber one, but it does have its fiery moments, along with good helpings of light and laughter. Some places struck me as not being the subtlest of this author's work, as if the story were trying a little too hard. And while the restful pacing of this novel is fitting, some points seemed to slip from simply resting into stalling.
But the story holds all of the seasonal charm I expected it to. Definitely the kind of novel to curl up and read with a hot mug of cocoa. Or coffee, for those who are partial to that particular beverage.
December 19, 2010
I think I would describe this book as a celebration of life and of death. I enjoyed the Appalachian background and references to people who lived humbly, but with strength of character. It was about accepting life, and death with grace; and about finding happiness in spite of the struggle. For me, Nathan's conversion to God was not the main focus of this book. It was more about learning to live with life's devastations and rising about them. It was about accepting death when it comes. It was about living well and finding the joy.
June 8, 2017
This is another book I almost removed from my "to-read" list because when I reread my review of "Prayers of a Stranger" I saw that I had given that book only 2 stars and had said that Bunn was an author I would not be inspired to read again. I'm glad I disregarded that and went ahead with this. Sometimes you read a just the right book at just the right time. What kept me from giving this 5 stars is that this book is very heavily Christian in some places. Sometimes that worked for me, as in the following sermon of Pastor Brian, "Our gathering is a divinely inspired assembly, and in our joining we declare this to be holy ground. The very moment is holy. We are not here by chance or choice. God has created a moment of appointment with Him. We call this holy encounter the Sabbath worship. The intent is that here in this moment, our lives will be touched by the Word, by the Truth. We therefore ask the Spirit to reach into this gathering and have an impact upon this worship, upon this moment, and upon our lives. We ask to be enriched with the power to raise us above our fears, to give us a healing from our past, and bring us to eternal victory". There were a few other passages where it got a little too heavy for me, thus 4 stars instead of 5.
It's the story of a big-city (Raleigh) doctor who comes to find peace, comfort, and redemption in a small rural town. The cover of the hardback would lead you to believe the story takes place in the 1860's rather than the actual time setting of the 1960's.
This book made me a little sad sometimes but, overall, it made me feel good.
It's the story of a big-city (Raleigh) doctor who comes to find peace, comfort, and redemption in a small rural town. The cover of the hardback would lead you to believe the story takes place in the 1860's rather than the actual time setting of the 1960's.
This book made me a little sad sometimes but, overall, it made me feel good.
February 3, 2013
This novel is set in a small town in the Shenandoah Valley early in the 1960s. The town of Hillsboro has been without a doctor for almost 3 years and the nearest hospital is at least 40 miles away over winding back roads. In this community many of the residents do not have phones, they will doctor themselves until they are near death's door and often refer to a doctor as the "Gatekeeper." When big city Dr. Nathan Reynolds arrives he feels as if he has walked into a town frozen in the past.
December 26, 2011
This book had so much potential but fell short in many ways. I was looking for a book to read in front of my wood burning stove that would bring feelings of comfort and warmth during this holiday season. This book had the foundation for greatness; poor character development was at the root of my disappointment. I wish Bunn had taken half as much time developing his characters and the plot as he did to describe the Shenandoah Valley the book was set in.
June 6, 2017
This is a great book with true to life characters. I would love to meet them :) This book was copyright in 1998 but I just discovered it. I'm pleased Bunn wrote displaying the Lord throughout the book. It is refreshing to read the Good News written so clearly. You don't see that much anymore. I appreciate the inch by inch revealing and the warm Presence throughout the story. I cried many times. Thank you for a great read!
January 7, 2014
This Christian novella really hit the spot for me right now. The author presented the beauty and majesty of nature in such a wonderful way. He also represented mountain people in a very sympathetic manner that wasn't overdone. I enjoyed this book and have also read other works by this author that I found positively engaging.
February 9, 2016
T. Davis Bunn captures well the flavor of a small mountain town and the struggle of an urban doctor carrying some emotional baggage who moves to Hillsboro. What follows is a heartwarming look at human nature and the intervention of God into the lives of people. It is a story of transformation. You will want to laugh, cry and sigh, sometimes all at the same time. Very well done book.
April 1, 2018
T Davis Bunn is one amazing author. He painted the most a wonderful pictures of the Shenandoah valley people's life. It made me want to live in that time eventho the times were more hard than we can imagine. A wonderful book also about God's love for us even when we do not know about Him or want anything to do with Him.
November 22, 2008
This was a gift. A nice story, but a little heavy on the "let go and let God" message, for my personal taste. Two bitter, lonely adults find a common bond in backwoods Virginia, 1960's. Just not quite my thing.
February 4, 2009
Conversion to Christianity is this books main plot. The story would have been fine by itself, but the references to God were so awkward, that it just seemed like a religious tract hung on a rather basic plot.
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March 23, 2010This Christmas novel's setting is in the 1960's. The description of the geographics make it charming. Because it is a Christmas novel--the rating is higher from me than a typical predictable romance. I do adore Christmas novels.
November 14, 2012
An enjoyable, easy read. About a big city doctor who leaves his past and comes to the Shenandoah hill country to be a country Dr. How he adjusts to changes and sees these "backward" people in a whole new light and finds he has much to learn from them.
October 3, 2014
The look and feel of the actual book invites one to open the cheerful yet peaceful cover with a sense expectation. Colorful characters abound in a warm and loving village environment. There are two main characters who are good friends. The entire story is delightful.
February 5, 2018
A heartwarming
The story warmed my heart with gut wrenching honesty about inner struggles and simple mountain wisdom and genuine love. The book ably weaved stories of failure and triumph, grief and rejoicing, and loss and gain into a very enjoyable reading tapestry.
The story warmed my heart with gut wrenching honesty about inner struggles and simple mountain wisdom and genuine love. The book ably weaved stories of failure and triumph, grief and rejoicing, and loss and gain into a very enjoyable reading tapestry.
December 1, 2008
The story took a while to get going, but I enjoyed the writing style and the country-fied characters... wish I had my own Papa Joe!
February 22, 2010
successfully sentimental
March 18, 2011
I just thought this book was okay. I thought it moved too slowly. Had a good message but not enough going on for me. I even had to skip to the end.
March 25, 2012
Very comfortable read. Enjoyed the "flavor" of the mountain town and people there. Good thoughts on faith. Thanks to my daughter for recommending it.
January 28, 2013
In a 1960s Virginia mountain town, a burnt out doctor learns to love and a community deals graciously with the loss of a beloved elder
July 8, 2013
Another beautifully written story by T. Davis Bunn.
He captures the feel of the people and the hills of that remote area.
He captures the feel of the people and the hills of that remote area.
October 30, 2013
Awesome story!!!
December 21, 2014
I read this book every single winter. It never gets old and is always such an enjoyable read. It feels like visiting some old friends every time I pick it up.
June 13, 2014
T Davis Bunn is a wonderful writer. I will be reading more of his work!!
December 12, 2014
A wonderful story about small towns, life,death and faith. If you need a feel-good story at this time of year I recommend this book.
January 2, 2016
Loved it.
Davis bunn can draw you into a place, the people and a real feeling how having total faith in God works.
Davis bunn can draw you into a place, the people and a real feeling how having total faith in God works.
February 13, 2016
Great insight .
August 13, 2017
Heart-warming. Full of love, changes for the good, and God. I loved this book. I wish it would've never ended.
February 3, 2024
The truth of Ps. 90: number your days! (4 stars)
“One Shenandoah Winter” transports us 1960s Hillsboro, a small town in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Don’t expect blazing action, because the conflict is primarily internal and emotional, centring around the human relationships between three key players in the town. First there’s the ambitious assistant mayor, Connie Wilkes. Then there’s her enigmatic 83 year-old uncle Poppa Joe, a grand old hilly-billy type who contracts cancer. And finally there’s the town’s new doctor, Nathan Reynolds, a brilliant and dedicated doctor described as “the most irascible, difficult, stubborn, domineering, extraordinarily infuriating individual you have ever met.” (p.133). The bulk of the novel describes the interplay of feelings and emotions as Poppa Joe is faced with the eternal life that follows death, and Nathan Reynolds is faced with the new life of a Christian.
I cannot wholeheartedly endorse Bunn’s theology, such as his commitment to Arminianism (p.221-2), and his surprising use of veiled blasphemy (p.8, 160). The idea of “carrying something good” into heaven to set before God’s throne (p.175) had me especially puzzled – it certainly gives the impression that our works somehow earn merit before God, although it may not be Bunn’s intention to convey this. But especially weak is the portrayal of conversion. Bunn glamorizes the beginning of faith, which forms the novel’s climax (e.g. Nathan’s baptism p.264-5), resulting in an overly optimistic conclusion that downplays the struggles and sorrows experienced in a life of faith. Nor was I fully satisfied with the source and nature of the change experienced in Nathan’s life. The “enemy” is not portrayed as sin and Satan, but the bad experiences of the past and sorrowful sicknesses of the present. Consequently, the “solution” is simply a calming “presence” (pp. 217-222), and being a Christian is presented as experiencing a warm fuzzy feeling. But this misses the heart of the gospel – where the real problem is sin, and the real solution is the justifying and sanctifying work of Christ in overcoming sin. Sadly, it seemed to me the work of Jesus Christ was short-changed with a superficial gospel of warm feelings.
But don’t let these weaknesses prevent you from reading this book. The novel has much to recommend it, not least the beautiful hardcover presentation, attractive dust-cover, quality paper, and lovely pencil illustrations. Bunn beautifully conveys the magnificent way in which God reveals himself in creation (pp. 91-2), a theme strongly reminiscent of Psalm 19. But what I particularly enjoyed about this novel is that it has none of the sappy sentimentalism that normally characterizes Christmas novels. It deals with the hard facts of life, and is often a very moving story. Nathan Reynolds’ initial antagonism is somewhat unrealistic, but aside from that Bunn relates very real feelings and emotions. The significance of life and death is an important theme, as is evidenced by the quotation of Psalm 90:12 that prefaces the book – “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Here the character of Poppa Joe is presented as a shining example – a mountain man with simple faith. Bunn beautifully depicts the simple faith of a solid believer who is faced with serious struggles – yet without resorting to an unrealistic and superficial one-dimensional experience of joy that some Christian novelists are guilty of depicting.
Despite its flaws, this book is thus still a very worthwhile read, far superior to the shallowness of most contemporary evangelical fiction offerings. Especially for someone struggling with a difficult illness or trial it would make a wonderful gift. Our days are often difficult, but with the “heart of wisdom” of Psalm 90, we can carry on in faith and hope.
“One Shenandoah Winter” transports us 1960s Hillsboro, a small town in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Don’t expect blazing action, because the conflict is primarily internal and emotional, centring around the human relationships between three key players in the town. First there’s the ambitious assistant mayor, Connie Wilkes. Then there’s her enigmatic 83 year-old uncle Poppa Joe, a grand old hilly-billy type who contracts cancer. And finally there’s the town’s new doctor, Nathan Reynolds, a brilliant and dedicated doctor described as “the most irascible, difficult, stubborn, domineering, extraordinarily infuriating individual you have ever met.” (p.133). The bulk of the novel describes the interplay of feelings and emotions as Poppa Joe is faced with the eternal life that follows death, and Nathan Reynolds is faced with the new life of a Christian.
I cannot wholeheartedly endorse Bunn’s theology, such as his commitment to Arminianism (p.221-2), and his surprising use of veiled blasphemy (p.8, 160). The idea of “carrying something good” into heaven to set before God’s throne (p.175) had me especially puzzled – it certainly gives the impression that our works somehow earn merit before God, although it may not be Bunn’s intention to convey this. But especially weak is the portrayal of conversion. Bunn glamorizes the beginning of faith, which forms the novel’s climax (e.g. Nathan’s baptism p.264-5), resulting in an overly optimistic conclusion that downplays the struggles and sorrows experienced in a life of faith. Nor was I fully satisfied with the source and nature of the change experienced in Nathan’s life. The “enemy” is not portrayed as sin and Satan, but the bad experiences of the past and sorrowful sicknesses of the present. Consequently, the “solution” is simply a calming “presence” (pp. 217-222), and being a Christian is presented as experiencing a warm fuzzy feeling. But this misses the heart of the gospel – where the real problem is sin, and the real solution is the justifying and sanctifying work of Christ in overcoming sin. Sadly, it seemed to me the work of Jesus Christ was short-changed with a superficial gospel of warm feelings.
But don’t let these weaknesses prevent you from reading this book. The novel has much to recommend it, not least the beautiful hardcover presentation, attractive dust-cover, quality paper, and lovely pencil illustrations. Bunn beautifully conveys the magnificent way in which God reveals himself in creation (pp. 91-2), a theme strongly reminiscent of Psalm 19. But what I particularly enjoyed about this novel is that it has none of the sappy sentimentalism that normally characterizes Christmas novels. It deals with the hard facts of life, and is often a very moving story. Nathan Reynolds’ initial antagonism is somewhat unrealistic, but aside from that Bunn relates very real feelings and emotions. The significance of life and death is an important theme, as is evidenced by the quotation of Psalm 90:12 that prefaces the book – “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Here the character of Poppa Joe is presented as a shining example – a mountain man with simple faith. Bunn beautifully depicts the simple faith of a solid believer who is faced with serious struggles – yet without resorting to an unrealistic and superficial one-dimensional experience of joy that some Christian novelists are guilty of depicting.
Despite its flaws, this book is thus still a very worthwhile read, far superior to the shallowness of most contemporary evangelical fiction offerings. Especially for someone struggling with a difficult illness or trial it would make a wonderful gift. Our days are often difficult, but with the “heart of wisdom” of Psalm 90, we can carry on in faith and hope.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews