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Mitford Years #8 included
Shepherds Abiding / Esther's Gift / Mitford Snowmen
Father Tim and Cynthia discover what millions of readers already know--there's no place like Mitford for the holidays
6 pages, Audio Cassette
First published January 1, 2003
9 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
Jan Karon
142 books2,793 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 108 reviews
December 26, 2024
This is one of my two favorites from the Mitford series. I read it listen to it every year around Christmas time.
June 13, 2022
This audio of Shepherds Abiding also includes two Christmas short stories, Esther's Gift and The Mitford Snowmen.
Book - 5 stars
Narration by John McDonough - 5 stars and a 💖!
Book - 5 stars
Narration by John McDonough - 5 stars and a 💖!
December 9, 2019
Love this book to listen to in the holiday season. One of my favorite soothing, slowdown audiobooks.
July 16, 2014
Audio book read by John McDonough.
Delightful, relaxing read! This was my first Mitford book. I loved how the characters struggled with their Christian values in a very mature way. I also enjoyed the way the Church Year played a role (for example, the pastor relaxes on Christmas day, glad to be done with the busyness of ADVENT (instead of "Christmas rush")
Delightful, relaxing read! This was my first Mitford book. I loved how the characters struggled with their Christian values in a very mature way. I also enjoyed the way the Church Year played a role (for example, the pastor relaxes on Christmas day, glad to be done with the busyness of ADVENT (instead of "Christmas rush")
December 8, 2020
This is a heart-warming little Christmas story about Father Tim and a small little community called Mitford. This is the first story I've read about Mitford. It was a book club selection for Christmas. I listened to the audio book which was well performed. It included a couple sweet little stories.
January 7, 2022
I read or listen to this every year.
This year, I just barely got it in with less than an hour to spare on January 6th. Christmas season is finished, and this one never fails to put me in the spirit.
This year, I just barely got it in with less than an hour to spare on January 6th. Christmas season is finished, and this one never fails to put me in the spirit.
October 31, 2012
Number 8 in the Mitford series, I continue to love the stories about Father Tim and his friends and family.
December 18, 2024
Perfect book to read at the beginning of the Advent season.
November 19, 2023
I found this book very difficult, because it jumped around too much among too many characters that I knew nothing about. Often a passage would start not even telling you who was talking but you were supposed to know by what they were talking about . Or that you were supposed to be eager to keep reading to find out who is talking which I wasn’t, it just made me annoyed because I was lost so much of the time in this book.
One of the main storylines was a person wanting to rent a book store and how desperate she was because she wasn’t hearing from the person who owned it about whether she could rent it or not . At the end of the story, she calls the bookstore her own but I never saw when she got it.. the reference was so obscure. I apparently missed it. I even went back to look for it, and could not find anywhere that it was told that she could rent.
My best guess is an obscure letter she found in the attic of the bookstore that was old and brittle , stuck in a crack, that said something about a gift from her brother, but it didn’t say what the gift was.
I guess is we were supposed to understand that the gift he was giving was the bookstore to her I. I never thought when I was reading that part that he was giving her a bookstore, although It was mentioned over the years he had given her many gifts. When I read that part, I believed that was an old letter, having nothing to do with what was happening today.
That was the only storyline I was interested in because that was the only character I thought had any merit. Imagine how disappointing it was at the end of the book to surmise that she got the bookstore because she referred to it as MY bookstore.
The one other part of the book I did enjoy was the discovery of father Tim that he had a gift of painting figurines. The revelation and the angst throughout the book of that project, and the glowing outcome was heartwarming. The twist at the end was unexpected and perhaps the main reason why many people really love this book.
One character, the author used a dialect style to show you his speech patterns that was very difficult to discern what he was actually saying. It was a struggle and very annoying to try to figure it out, it was poorly poorly done.
My guess is that if you are going to read this series, you need to start from the beginning and understand who is who and their backstory to thoroughly enjoy this book as much as so many people have mentioned it. However, because I didn’t care for any of the characters that much except Hope and Father Tim, I have no interest in reading the other eight books of the series.
The reason I gave it three stars, and not one star was because I appreciate the attempt to write a book or series of books in a similar manner to Miss Read. We need more books about a community of people that are basically decent good, kind, generous, and somewhat flawed people. However, we need an author that can give them some depth of character, and a way of identifying them with real people we know and love.
I fully understand why I could never get into this series, although I made more than one attempt to read the first book over the years. Her style of jumping around starts too early before you know who these people are so it’s very easy to put it down and never ever ever pick it up again. The author can create a wonderful community, but she was unable to
kindle a spark of personality in most of the characters.
This book was recommended on one of my book groups as being the best of the best of Jan Karon and I thought I would buy it and read it with an open mind so I persevered to the end. I’m hoping that I’m right that Hope got her bookstore at the end. But I’m still confused about why she invited her sister to live with her when she had this budding romance that looks like it may end in marriage. Why would you disrupt an elderly persons life only to become a third wheel??
One of the main storylines was a person wanting to rent a book store and how desperate she was because she wasn’t hearing from the person who owned it about whether she could rent it or not . At the end of the story, she calls the bookstore her own but I never saw when she got it.. the reference was so obscure. I apparently missed it. I even went back to look for it, and could not find anywhere that it was told that she could rent.
My best guess is an obscure letter she found in the attic of the bookstore that was old and brittle , stuck in a crack, that said something about a gift from her brother, but it didn’t say what the gift was.
I guess is we were supposed to understand that the gift he was giving was the bookstore to her I. I never thought when I was reading that part that he was giving her a bookstore, although It was mentioned over the years he had given her many gifts. When I read that part, I believed that was an old letter, having nothing to do with what was happening today.
That was the only storyline I was interested in because that was the only character I thought had any merit. Imagine how disappointing it was at the end of the book to surmise that she got the bookstore because she referred to it as MY bookstore.
The one other part of the book I did enjoy was the discovery of father Tim that he had a gift of painting figurines. The revelation and the angst throughout the book of that project, and the glowing outcome was heartwarming. The twist at the end was unexpected and perhaps the main reason why many people really love this book.
One character, the author used a dialect style to show you his speech patterns that was very difficult to discern what he was actually saying. It was a struggle and very annoying to try to figure it out, it was poorly poorly done.
My guess is that if you are going to read this series, you need to start from the beginning and understand who is who and their backstory to thoroughly enjoy this book as much as so many people have mentioned it. However, because I didn’t care for any of the characters that much except Hope and Father Tim, I have no interest in reading the other eight books of the series.
The reason I gave it three stars, and not one star was because I appreciate the attempt to write a book or series of books in a similar manner to Miss Read. We need more books about a community of people that are basically decent good, kind, generous, and somewhat flawed people. However, we need an author that can give them some depth of character, and a way of identifying them with real people we know and love.
I fully understand why I could never get into this series, although I made more than one attempt to read the first book over the years. Her style of jumping around starts too early before you know who these people are so it’s very easy to put it down and never ever ever pick it up again. The author can create a wonderful community, but she was unable to
kindle a spark of personality in most of the characters.
This book was recommended on one of my book groups as being the best of the best of Jan Karon and I thought I would buy it and read it with an open mind so I persevered to the end. I’m hoping that I’m right that Hope got her bookstore at the end. But I’m still confused about why she invited her sister to live with her when she had this budding romance that looks like it may end in marriage. Why would you disrupt an elderly persons life only to become a third wheel??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2024
Three tales in one. (see Shepherds Abiding for review of 1st tale).
Esther's Gift. Esther has her husband do the math and discovers the gift of a cake that she assumed was about $4 was actually nearly $50 and decided to cut her list down to about two people. In the end her heart won't allow her and she returns to her usual list.
Mitford Snowmen. The small town of Mitford puts on an impromptu snowmen contest, no one is the judge, so the mayor rules they are all winners and gets the prize.
Esther's Gift. Esther has her husband do the math and discovers the gift of a cake that she assumed was about $4 was actually nearly $50 and decided to cut her list down to about two people. In the end her heart won't allow her and she returns to her usual list.
Mitford Snowmen. The small town of Mitford puts on an impromptu snowmen contest, no one is the judge, so the mayor rules they are all winners and gets the prize.
December 31, 2022
It is always heartwarming and comforting to visit Mitford, especially around Christmas. I had not read Esther's Gift or The Mitford Snowmen before and enjoyed them too. John McDonough is a great narrator.
December 29, 2024
Perfect feel-good Christmas story. Full of unique and lovable characters. Actually gives Gilmore girls vibes without the shallow, narcissistic Gilmore girls. Beautifully written.
December 15, 2023
This was my first encounter with Mitford. I will probably return.
December 14, 2025
Yessss Christmas in Mitford is pure, homely perfection.
December 23, 2019
I’ve read this before except for the Mitford Snowmen but these are perfect for Christmas. The true love of Jesus shines through the character’s especially Father Tim. One of my favorite series
December 5, 2021
I can't believe this was not on my read list. I reread this book every Christmas. The heartwarming series of " At Home in Mitford" never fails to make me smile and transports me to time of ood neighbors and small town life.
The characters Jan Karon brings to life are like old friends that are always there to lift me up.
The series is a joy to read and reread!
The characters Jan Karon brings to life are like old friends that are always there to lift me up.
The series is a joy to read and reread!
November 3, 2008
Since I have already read the 9th book in the series, this will probably be the last one, since I've heard a rumor that Ms. Karon does not wish to write any more Mitford books. Sigh! I will miss Father Tim's antics and even more, the inspiration I find in these books. I'm pretty sure that Ms. Karon and her Father Tim have changed my life and certainly my perspective on life. I'm only sorry I didn't read these books years ago when my mother first recommended them to me. This one is about the Christmas season, and as we go into that season, I hope to keep many of its sentiments with me. Now I just have to decide if I want to try to make Esther's Orange Marmalade cake. It doesn't sound easy, but it does sound delicious!
June 10, 2013
This is the 8th of 9 Mitford books, and each one has been a treasure to listen to. John McDonnough continues to be a fabulous narrator - varied voices, singing, and more - who truly brings this world and these characters to life. When Father Tim finds an old beat up nativity set, he thinks it is the perfect thing to surprise Cynthia with for Christmas. But what has he gotten himself into? Will he be able to get it ready in time? And what is SHE working on as a surprise for him? I love the glimpses into all our other well-known favorite Mitford characters as well - narrated from their perspectives, not just Father Tim's.
January 24, 2017
most enjoyable--have enjoyed others of the series
December 9, 2008
Really sweet. I don't think I would have liked it half as much if I had read it instead of listened to it. I pressed play on the cd player everytime I was cleaning the kitchen (which was often) or cooking (also often). The reader, John Mconough has one of the sweetest old man voices I have ever heard, he did the voices and everything.
Basically it is a great Christmas tale that follows several different old characters.
Again I recommend it as a holiday listen-to!! ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A THING ABOUT OLD PEOPLE !!!
Basically it is a great Christmas tale that follows several different old characters.
Again I recommend it as a holiday listen-to!! ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A THING ABOUT OLD PEOPLE !!!
March 29, 2013
We have really enjoyed the Mitford books by Jan Karon. We listened to this as we traveled this week for spring break.
This series takes place in a fictional town in North Carolina called Mitford. The main character is Father Tim Cavanaugh, an Episcopal preacher in Mitford. Mitford is a small town, so you get to know pretty much everyone in Mitford.
This particular book is a Christmas book, but a good read anytime of year.
This series takes place in a fictional town in North Carolina called Mitford. The main character is Father Tim Cavanaugh, an Episcopal preacher in Mitford. Mitford is a small town, so you get to know pretty much everyone in Mitford.
This particular book is a Christmas book, but a good read anytime of year.
December 2, 2016
I was looking for a book for the season, and I found an interesting one. This book is primarily about Father Tom, a retired priest in the small town of Mitford. He's working on a special Christmas gift for his wife. While he works on it with the help of others, we get snippets of stories about others in Mitford that touch his life. It shows how interwoven our lives are with others - something we often forget! I would definitely recommend this book.
November 30, 2014
I didn't know this was #8 of a series, but to its credit, this book is written well enough to stand alone. Shepherds Abiding is my first Jan Karon book, and it was a sweet introduction. I really enjoyed meeting the characters, and I would like to visit Mitford again some time. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a light, relaxing (but not twaddle) read.
November 19, 2022
Loved the concept of this book but it was hard to read. It jumped around to different people in the town. It was difficult to remember who was who and sometimes it didn’t even tell you who it was you were reading about. Centered around a Nativity scene was great but I never got to know each person enough to peek my interest.
December 9, 2011
Ahh... after the turbulent british empire Mitford is coming home. I have listened to all of her books and the reader is Father Tim to me. Jan Karon does such a wonderful job with the personalities in Mitford, and after a long time away it was good to find the true meaning of Christmas with them.
January 9, 2013
This is a story I picked at random just to have a Christmas story during the holidays. Yes it does center around Christmas. No it is not one of the better stories I've read (not bad, just not particularly interesting). Apparently part of a series dealing with the townfolk of Mitford.
December 17, 2015
Great Christmas story in the town of Mitford ! Always enjoy reading about the characters from that little town. The story centers around Father Tim fixing up a nativity set for his wife for Christmas.
April 21, 2016
I read everything Jan Karon writes and listen to the same books on CD over and over. Beautiful little story about a beautiful little town. I love Father Time. This particular book I've read at least 3 times and listen on CD in July and again in December every year since it was published!
April 6, 2008
I love everything I have read by Jan Karon. She is a wonderful author. I feel like I have become friends with all of her characters.
December 15, 2015
Listening to this audio book in December has become a tradition we look forwards to. It warm and gets us in the Christmas spirit.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews