Home To Holly Springs

Mitford Years #10

by Jan Karon

Unabridged, 1 audiobook sound file (12 parts), 11 hours 42 minutes 21 seconds
_______________
Jan Karon, the #1 New York Times best-selling author whose Mitford books earned her Christy and Gold Medallion Awards, launches a new series with a fresh look at the recently retired Father Tim. Lured by a mysterious note, Tim heads for his boyhood home of Holly Springs, Mississippi. But as memories flood his mind, he soon encounters a life-altering truth and receives a gift that could cost him everything.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Audiobook, Inspirational, Adult Fiction, Contemporary

First published January 1, 2007

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

[karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

so i figured this, which i read for the christian/gentle segment of R/A class, would be the beigest of the beige: dentist office carpeting, hotel room art, supermarket music (although my supermarket plays a lot of corey hart and toad the wet sprocket, so - awesome) but what i didn't count on from "gentle reading" was quite so much attempted rape, whipping, and use of the word "nigger" by white people. sure, it takes place in mississippi, whose racial tolerance has come a long way, baby (oh, but i still do think he is dreamy...) but i thought the point of gentle fiction was to excise all the uncomfortable realities and serve up some pap for the grannies. guess not. the reality of this world is one where a man gets an unsigned notecard in the mail from his hometown (40 years after leaving it) that says "come home" and nothing more. and he goes, receiving cryptic phone messages and other notes throughout and DOES NOT GET DISMEMBERED at the end. this is a gentle world, indeed, full of obedience and no consequences for foolishness:

"Who is ______??" (i have kindly avoided spoilers.)

"I have no idea, except he's the one who wrote me in Mitford. I talked to him on the phone this morning, He wants me to meet this afternoon at one o'clock."

"Where? And what for?"

"We'll meet at Frank's place, he says someone wants to see me, insists the whole thing is covered by prayer. We'll drive out to the country about fifteen miles."

She pondered this. "How do you feel about going off with a total stranger who lacks the courtesy to sign what he writes, much less tell you what he's up to?"

"He sounds like an agreeable fellow. There's nothing to worry about. I promise"
...............................................................................

famous last words, in the real world. teenaged girls - take heed: THIS IS A BAD IDEA.

but be that as it may, i was going to give this three stars because i didn't hate the dickens out of it. but it's not great, and i will never read another of her books, and i can't see giving this the same number of stars as i gave borges, even to prove some anti-elitist point, for which i do not have the strength.

my favorite quote, which does kind of serve as a commentary of the genre:

"You want your lip balm in cherry, lemon, or chocolate?"

"Can't it just be plain??" Nothing was plain anymore.
................................................................................

well, not nothingzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

come to my blog!

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is so hard to explain what happens to me when I read the Father Tim books. I laugh, I cry, I can't wait to finish the book and yet I don't want it to end. Is it because Father Tim is a minister who is so humanly fallible? Or is it because he is surrounded by intriguing people and circumstances that make such a good story?
One thing that appeals to me is that even though Karon's characters struggle and face hard decisions and physical difficulties (in other words, all of life!) she writes in a uplifting tone. Being an optimist myself I really relate to this kind of writing. Can't say anymore without spoiling the book!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was like sitting on the porch sipping lemonade and talking with old friends. Truth be told it reminded me of my childhood days listening to my parents and family talk about the old days. I was thinking back to the visits to Kentucky listening to conversation and meals at the dinner table. One of my favorite things to do is to read and when a book helps me to re-capture a memory of an age long gone, I am quite happy. There are few authors that can handle conversation between characters deftly as this author. Father Tim rang true to me in this story and became fleshed out thoroughly. I am going to miss him now and I plan on reading all the books in the series.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I’ve been rereading (well, actually re-listening to) this series with my sister, and this is the first place in the series where the book was new, not just to her, but to us both. We both loved this; however, it was nothing like we expected.

This is part one of two of Father Tim’s backstory and it honestly felt like a (believable) soap opera in places. We go back to the WWII period, in the Deep South of Mississippi. Injustice abounds. So so many surprising events occur - sometimes many hard hitting events all in one paragraph! We had a deadline for the Libby audiobook, and had to read this pretty fast. It was very dramatic, with a lot to process. Not just from the halfway point, but pretty much all the way through.

The Mitford series, from which this one was born, is a much gentler read. This mini series, delving into Father Tim’s childhood, and even prior to his birth at times, is hard-hitting, with many gasping moments. There were more tears than laughter, but as much as I prefer the latter to the former, this was well worth the read.

You should also know that there are hints of present day Mitford characters’ stories here and there. Not so many that you’d be lost if you skipped this book entirely, but enough that you probably wouldn’t want to miss this one if you were a true Mitford lover.

The audio narrator, Scott Sowers, was also different than John McDonogh, who does the rest of the Mitford series. He wasn’t as good as McDonogh, because that would be a very high bar, but his voice for Peggy was worth the price of admission. It was pitch perfect.

I’ve read this series many times, but always got stuck when I got to this one, so it was good to finally push through. If you go into it aware that the mood and tone is completely different from the wider Mitford series, with a lot of drama and not much comic relief, then my guess is you’ll enjoy this book, in both audio and print.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the shift away from Mitford, I wondered how things would work for the Father Tim stories. Well...just fine!

This was my second time reading it and it was worth multiple readings. Probably the most emotionally charged in a way, potent with Father Tim's memories of growing up, as he fills in the gaps between what he remembers and the realities he didn't understand (or wasn't even aware of). After the years of "dropped hints" in the other Mitford novels, it was cool to get a more full story regarding Father Tim. Just make sure you have the tissues handy!

I know it's been criticized for a few too many "coincidences" but a good author can get away with those in the right context, and this time it worked. Especially in Father Tim's long-standing desire for a brother. Overall this is really a story about grace, forgiveness, restoration, and yes, what home is really all about.

While many beloved characters never make an appearance, I think this is probably one of my favorites in the series.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you cannot divorce a book from the personal context in which you read it. In this case, it was a divine pairing. Just when I needed it most, I reached some of the most climactic events in this grace-filled work. It ministered to me and helped me to better handle the challenges I was facing.

Briefly, my son, vice president of his freshman class, got in trouble at school for horseplay, was railroaded through a kangaroo court, was not allowed to offer a defense (or to speak at all) and no recourse was available when he suffered a punishment only one step short of expulsion from the private Christian school (a school whose motto last year was “a culture of grace”).

As a lawyer, father, and former teacher, accepting the school’s decisions was difficult at best. But Karon’s book helped me. Each morning, lunch hour, and evening, her work imparted nuggets of grace to me that not only blessed me, but blessed my family. The grace in her book helped me give grace to my son when he felt beaten-down and rejected on all sides. The book helped me encourage my wife, who struggled with the loyalties she felt as both a Bible teacher at the school and as the mother of a son she believed had done the “crime,” but not a crime worthy of the outrageous sentence. The book helped me remain quiet when other parents of similarly prosecuted sons were arguing with the administration in the mornings and meeting with lawyers in the afternoons. In short, God used the simple, charming book, Home to Holly Springs, to give grace to me and my entire family during a time when we needed it desperately.

I have not read any other books by Jan Karon. But I will.

[Sharon Weinschreider · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t a visit to Jan Karon’s idyllic town of Mitford. The majority of the book doesn’t feel like a cozy Mitford read. But it is a beautiful, redemptive book. As Father Tim finally comes to terms with his childhood and especially his relationships with family and friends, we learn of the darkness in his early years that he has overcome. Much more depth than we’re used to from Karon, but the same faith and trust in God Who works all things for our good. I loved it!

[Julie Gentino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jan Karon's Mitford series are my comfort books - the first books that come to mind when I am sick or depressed or just need a light, heart-warming read. It is hard for me to describe just how much I love these books and the characters in them, but let's just say my husband thinks it's very weird! Home to Holly Springs is the first of Karon's new Father Tim series (sequel to the Mitford series). The reviews I had read said it is not as good and I would agree with them. Karon is a terrific story-teller and I think anything she writes is a pleasure to read, but Home to Holly Springs just didn't have the same magic as her former novels. She seemed so intent on wrapping up all loose ends of Father Tim's childhood that her characters fell a bit flat and too many unrealistic coincidences occurred.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I re-read all the Mitford books this year, I paid more attention to the hints of Father Tim’s unhappy childhood. If you want to know the story behind that, this book is essential. But I was glad I knew beforehand that it was not going to be a typical Mitford novel. Home to Holly Springs is not as cozy a read as the title implies.

After 38 years away from his hometown, Father Tim receives a cryptic note inviting him to return. The trip dredges up A LOT of painful memories and reveals some long-buried family secrets. Several of the characters swear (which was okay since that is how a lot of people talk), but it is a constant reminder that you were NOT in Mitford.

I really liked it. My only complaint – don’t shoot me – was that every loose end was tied up completely, which could not happen in real life. (I know. It’s fiction!) But what I love about Karon’s writing is that she beautifully juxtaposes the beauty and the suffering of living in this broken world without giving the impression that you can say a prayer and all the bad stuff goes away. Some of the plot points seemed to resolve themselves too easily.

Okay. I got that off my chest.

I love all of Jan Karon’s books and plan to read and re-read them often.

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

The believability factor of the Mitford books has always been dicey, but this goes beyond that and into fairy tale land. Without giving much away,Father Tim goes home and finds ALL of his various long lost friends and relations--often by pure serendipity. And hasn't Karon used the "relative you didn't know you had" bit once too often? Or does everyone born south of the Mason Dixon line fornicate that freely?
(If so, I am worrying for my daughters--I live in Virginia :) )

This is a cozy read, like all the Mitford books. And I don't expect hard bitten reality from Karon.
But this one gives the term "suspension of disbelief" a whole new meaning.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given that I'm generally down on most things religious, it's a wonder even to me that I am inordinately fond of Jan Karon's numerous works about Father Tim, his wife Cynthia, the fictional North Carolina town of Mitford and their collective "adventures." Karon has created an entire world populated with interesting, funny and all-too-human people. She brings us with them as they grow and change over a number of years. Tim is an Episcopal priest and faith has a large place in these works. But the faith part is actually inspiring and deftly done. Karon is wonderful at bringing people and situations to life -- often with humor and always with great compassion for her characters. If you like a gentle but compelling story and haven't read any Jan Karon yet, give her a try. I think it's best to start at the beginning of the world she created: At Home in Mitford. If you like these, let me know.

[Lydia Therese · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, but I thought it was very unrealistic, and if you haven't gotten to know Father Tim already it would seem quite pointless. To me, the book seemed more like background on Father Tim and less of an actual story.

If I was Jan Karon I also would have left some loose ends. In real life, sometimes you don't get answers, and sometimes people you pray for don't get saved (ie, his father); you have to trust God through all of that anyway. The fact that Father Tim found every single childhood friend, mostly by coincidence, was just too hokey for me.

3/5 stars.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this is considered a Father Tim novel rather than a Mitford novel, it is chronologically number 10 of the Mitford series except for the fact Father Tim is visiting his hometown in Mississippi for the entire novel. So, I consider this to be the tenth book of a laid back series about an Episcopalian priest in a small town in North Carolina. It is often funny and sweet with the occasional sad vignette mixed into the plot. According to my records, I've read this novel before, but it must have been a long time ago because I'd completely forgotten it. Anyhow, it explained a lot about Father Tim's background and served to develop his character even more, and I enjoyed it.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving, redemptive, grace-filled story.

I've waited a long time to read this further installment of the Mitford books because I was unsure how I'd feel about some of the darker subject matter. Turned out there was nothing to be concerned about as Karon handled these difficult issues with her usual honesty and gracefulness. For me this book evokes touching elements at the very center of true Christianity, forgiveness & healing.

Superb, deeply spiritual.
5 stars and a ❤️

[Beka Metz · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT!
“We could be happy always if we always trusted God.”

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book in the end. It was a little hard getting there, because as one reviewer said, this is Karon's "most emotionally complex novel."

Truth be told, I've avoided reading the Father Tim novels for years, because I've just loved Mitford too much, and I didn't want it to really end. But I've been rereading the whole series this year (they are great comfort when going through major life changes of your own), so I thought I'd finally delve on in.

I love going to Mitford to escape. And I've come to love Father Tim dearly, so to see him go back home and face some of the hard things of his childhood (not to mention to see him be a little naughty as a boy in some cases), wasn't always pleasant.

But it made the character so much more deep, well-rounded, and in the end, it was beautiful and enjoyable.

Oh that we could all have the close, trusting relationship with the Father that Tom Kavanagh enjoys! Karon's books never fail to make me pray a little more, love others a little more, and trust God's plan for my life.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I am a huge fan of the Mitford Series and love Jan Karon's soothing beautiful writing. I liked the story, it was interesting to learn about Father Tim's childhood, but it wasn't as magical as the Mitford books. There were moments of that in this book...many that made me tear up and I did come to love Peggy and Henry and T and Ray and others :) Even so, I missed all the Mitford folks!

[Glenda L · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all of The Mitford Series books and loved them. This one fills in the early life of Father Tim. He travels back home for the first time in 38 years. He received an envelope with a note that says Come Home. There are many stories of his childhood, some he remembered and some that surprised him very much. I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it to anyone who has read the Mitford Series.

[Kathryn Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always nice to spend time with Father Tim. In this book, Father Tim goes back to his childhood town and we learn more about his past and the people that helped mold him.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book - 5 stars
Narration by Scott Sowers- 5 stars
I was more than a little dubious about the change of narrator for this book. I needn't have worried. No he's not John MCDonough but Sowers does an outstanding job.

[Red · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally LOVED this book. Travel with Father Tim back to his home town. Find out what happened to his family and boyhood friends. Laugh and cry with him as he remembers, revisits and renews.

There has to be, at the very least, two more books. We must have the upcoming trip to Ireland with cousin Walter and his wife, and then the story where Dooley and Lace finally get married.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the most heart-warming, beautiful, God-ward, real novel I have read in a long long time.

I gave it 5 stars because it was exactly what I needed to read at this time. It felt like a devotional to me. It is a beautiful reminder of God's love and attention on each of us. So happy I picked this one up.

[Carol Jones-Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

FIRST READ: Jan Karon's Mitford series are my feel good books - the first books that come to mind when I am not feeling too good or kind of in a slump or just plain need a light, heart-warming read. It is hard for me to describe just how much I love these books. Home to Holly Springs is the first of Karon's new Father Tim series (sequel to the Mitford series). I have read other reviews I had read said it is not quite as good and I would pretty much agree with them. Karon is a wonderful story-teller and I think anything she writes is a joy to read, but Home to Holly Springs just isn't the same--doesn't have the same magic as her former novels. Still recommend it if you are a fan, but a little different than the others.

SECOND READ: I was so impressed with my second read of this book, and seemed to have taken in a huge amount of new feelings that I did not get during my first read. Karon's bestselling series of Mitford novels has concluded with a 25 million copies sold to date, but to the relief of eager fans, she introduces a new series featuring Father Tim. The beloved Episcopal priest returns to his childhood town of Holly Springs, Miss, where he reconnects with old friends and battles some old demons. The novel is thick with Father Tim's past, as Karon uses flashbacks to shed light on his early adulthood, especially his transition to seminary. In Holly Springs, his penchant for getting near strangersto open up to him—and his earnest, moving reflections on faith, prayer and the risks of love—are reassuringly present. His wife, Cynthia, is on stage far less than he, but when she appears, she is charming and insightful, as usual. Yet the book is far from perfect. Development of the quirky locals in Holly Springs is thin, and the end is a tad abrupt. Most frustratingly, the central drama of the novel falls flat: Father Tim discovers a long-buried family secret, but he doesn't grapple deeply enough with the emotional consequences of his discovery, nor does Karon fully explore the ways in which the secret plunges us into the Southern quagmire of race. Still, Mitford fans will enjoy this newest visit with wise, winsome, lovable Father Tim. They pursue the genealogy and find that Father Tim is related in fact he has a half brother and Tim is able to help this half brother in getting his chemotherapy as he is the best able to give him the stem cells to help this half brother in getting his chemotherapy as he is the best able to give him the stem cells to help his brother's chances. And it is working. I also am a two-time cancer survivor, and to recently learn of new relationships which will be a new blessing. I also had stem cell treatment which in many ways has blessed me. Grateful for this opportunity. Highly Recommend!!!

[Rick Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have greatly enjoyed the Mitford novels as I've chipped away at them over the years. However, as they went on, it seemed to me that they were losing their focus and that plot was taking a backseat to the chance to visit old friends in the little North Carolina town.

This book that sees Father Tim on his own on a trip to his hometown for the first time in almost 4o years is a real shift and has some of the best writing of the series. Karon does indulge in her inability to leave even the tiniest thread hanging, which makes for a lot of unlikely coincidences near the end of the book that tie up every single loose end, but aside from that tiny complaint, this was a great book.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The issues Father Tim deals with from his past as he returns to Holly Springs are not easy, but God is in it all and grace abounds. And, any book that has a character quoting Elizabeth Goudge is a winner for me. 😊

[Stella Marone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book while walking on the treadmill and almost fell off from crying out loud😭BEST EVER❤️

[Christina DeVane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this series in the middle which is terrible I know! 😆 I read this for a local author as she is semi-close to my VA location. I probably would have enjoyed this more had I read the previous books. The story seemed long and a round about way to get to the point. But it was very thought provoking in how I would respond if I was 70 years old and found out I had a half brother who was dying and needed stems cells from me to save his life! 😳😳

[Marialyce · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh! I would have pushed this one aside if it wasn't a book club book. The author used every trick in the book and so many coincidences it made the book seem ridiculous. I got the fact that this was a Christian book, but I think the writing and the characters were too much. Granted that Father Tim was a member of the clergy, he continued throughout the book as being an aw shucks kind of guy.

I have read other religious books that were ever so much better.

[Bobbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I realized I had never written a review of this book and thought I would do it now. I read this even though I had never read any of the Mitford Series at that time, because I have been familiar with Holly Springs, Mississippi since childhood. Holly Springs in a fairly small town about twenty miles from my grandfather's "old home place" and I remember driving through it many times. I did enjoy the book, especially reading about landmarks of the town and area. This was very nostalgic for me.

[Trace · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh how I LOVE Father Tim...I've missed Mitford... was such a delight to reconnect with that quirky community!