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Mitford Years #5
A New Song
an alternate cover edition can be found here
In the fifth novel in #1 New York Times bestselling author Jan Karon's beloved series, fans old and new will discover that when it comes to Mitford, absence only make the heart grow fonder...
Mitford's longtime Episcopal priest, Father Tim, has retired. But new challenges and adventures await when he agrees to serve as interim minister of a small church on Whitecap Island. He and his wife, Cynthia, soon find that Whitecap has its own unforgettable characters: a church organist with a mysterious past, a lovelorn bachelor placing personal ads, a mother battling paralyzing depression. Whitecap has more than its fair share of challenges, but in the end, Father Tim and Cynthia find that Mitford is never far away when circumstances back home keep their phone ringing off the hook...
In the fifth novel in #1 New York Times bestselling author Jan Karon's beloved series, fans old and new will discover that when it comes to Mitford, absence only make the heart grow fonder...
Mitford's longtime Episcopal priest, Father Tim, has retired. But new challenges and adventures await when he agrees to serve as interim minister of a small church on Whitecap Island. He and his wife, Cynthia, soon find that Whitecap has its own unforgettable characters: a church organist with a mysterious past, a lovelorn bachelor placing personal ads, a mother battling paralyzing depression. Whitecap has more than its fair share of challenges, but in the end, Father Tim and Cynthia find that Mitford is never far away when circumstances back home keep their phone ringing off the hook...
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
636 people are currently reading
4342 people want to read
About the author
Jan Karon
142 books2,790 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 791 reviews
January 21, 2020
I like these books....I suppose the word "mildly" should be in there somewhere, except that would be a little misleading. What I mean is that in some ways these are "mild stories".
I was in a "funk" for a while recently. I couldn't find anything book-wise that appealed to me. I was depressed in general and in constant low-grade pain. I had read some of these some years ago (as my wife's health grew worse and worse). Some people think of these as "women's reads" I've said before in other reviews that I'm not sure why these books would be called that...
These are the story of a "mild mannered" (LOL) Episcopal priest and his "family". I put family in quotes as his son is a young man whom he "meets" in the first book. These novels can't necessarily be said to have "a" plot. rather they are more like a series or chain of plots. We may be introduced to a person or situation early in the book who (or which) will figure into things later. In the meantime other things occur from the minor to the catastrophic in the lives of the people in the novel.
This is a day to day story of life. I enjoy them sometimes almost as a vacation.
Try them. I can recommend them.
I was in a "funk" for a while recently. I couldn't find anything book-wise that appealed to me. I was depressed in general and in constant low-grade pain. I had read some of these some years ago (as my wife's health grew worse and worse). Some people think of these as "women's reads" I've said before in other reviews that I'm not sure why these books would be called that...
These are the story of a "mild mannered" (LOL) Episcopal priest and his "family". I put family in quotes as his son is a young man whom he "meets" in the first book. These novels can't necessarily be said to have "a" plot. rather they are more like a series or chain of plots. We may be introduced to a person or situation early in the book who (or which) will figure into things later. In the meantime other things occur from the minor to the catastrophic in the lives of the people in the novel.
This is a day to day story of life. I enjoy them sometimes almost as a vacation.
Try them. I can recommend them.
November 14, 2022
***2022 reading***
This is one of those series that is so close to my heart that I’ve run out of ways to describe it. The main character, an Episcopal priest, is the kind of priest/pastor people dream of having: He hurts when you hurt, and he’s always there when the chips are down. He is a true believer who walks his faith all the way out. Does he make mistakes? Of course, but he thinks things through and you sit in his head in each of these books. So you understand his motives and you start to see how his faith leads him and helps him help others.
The audio versions of most of the books in the series is done by John McDonough. Once again, his performance imo can’t be beat. And they are, for the most part, available on Overdrive/Libby.
If your soul is feeling thirsty and needs refreshment, it’s hard to go wrong with any book in this series. I’m rereading them with my sister and we are both loving them. Eventually we will come to books even I have not yet read and hopefully we will finish the series together. I can highly recommend these!
***2020 reading***
4.5 stars. I love this series and I love these characters. I don't have the words to describe how much. Reading this brought me tears when I least expected them and spending time among these people is such a comfort.
There are old and young, rich and poor, sick and well, and I love them all. Father Tim is probably HSP and an empath, just like me, and maybe that's why he is so close to my heart. Things make us laugh and cry and worry that I don't think would apply to the average person but we have that in common. There are also people who have become closer to him and I love all of them. Every single one. I don't think I could pick a favorite if my life depended on it.
In addition, the audiobooks are all performed by John McDonough, who is brilliant. Switching back and forth between the paper and audiobook is a joy.
I can't emphasize enough how much I love this series. I've read the early books more than once but for some reason, this time, they're resonating even more than before. I would read them faster but I want each one to last forever. I love this series so much.
This is one of those series that is so close to my heart that I’ve run out of ways to describe it. The main character, an Episcopal priest, is the kind of priest/pastor people dream of having: He hurts when you hurt, and he’s always there when the chips are down. He is a true believer who walks his faith all the way out. Does he make mistakes? Of course, but he thinks things through and you sit in his head in each of these books. So you understand his motives and you start to see how his faith leads him and helps him help others.
The audio versions of most of the books in the series is done by John McDonough. Once again, his performance imo can’t be beat. And they are, for the most part, available on Overdrive/Libby.
If your soul is feeling thirsty and needs refreshment, it’s hard to go wrong with any book in this series. I’m rereading them with my sister and we are both loving them. Eventually we will come to books even I have not yet read and hopefully we will finish the series together. I can highly recommend these!
***2020 reading***
4.5 stars. I love this series and I love these characters. I don't have the words to describe how much. Reading this brought me tears when I least expected them and spending time among these people is such a comfort.
There are old and young, rich and poor, sick and well, and I love them all. Father Tim is probably HSP and an empath, just like me, and maybe that's why he is so close to my heart. Things make us laugh and cry and worry that I don't think would apply to the average person but we have that in common. There are also people who have become closer to him and I love all of them. Every single one. I don't think I could pick a favorite if my life depended on it.
In addition, the audiobooks are all performed by John McDonough, who is brilliant. Switching back and forth between the paper and audiobook is a joy.
I can't emphasize enough how much I love this series. I've read the early books more than once but for some reason, this time, they're resonating even more than before. I would read them faster but I want each one to last forever. I love this series so much.
December 17, 2024
Like all the other Mitford books, this is full of humor and kindness. I love to return to this series, they always give me hope and remind me to treat others with kindness and it is never to late to pray-in fact I should be praying always. The Mitford series is gentle and I don't have to think too hard or be caught up in a dramatic plot-sometimes just what I need-comfort in a book!
August 28, 2025
A new chapter for Father Tim and Cynthia in a new parish, which means plenty of new characters to follow on their own particular journeys. Love that Father Tim and Cynthia end up residing in both Dove Cottage and Sound Doctrine, a picture of true worship, done in spirit and in truth. Befitting the book's title, it's also a story full of rebirth, repentance, and new beginnings.
January 30, 2018
Ok . . . this . . . THIS is my favourite 'Mitford' book, though ironically enough, it's not even set in Mitford.
I loved getting to know the folks on Whitecap Island, and how they pulled together to help each other in their extremities. I loved how Father Tim was willing to listen to God's leading, even when it didn't make sense.
But, most of all, I loved the sermon he preached at the end . . . on 'Homecoming Day'. That was the Gospel, more plain and precious than I have heard it in any book other than Scripture itself. My heart rejoiced in my own salvation, and I wept as various congregants dedicated and rededicated their lives to Christ. While this book did not *change* my heart, nor really teach me anything I do not already know, it invited me to rejoice in the truths I *DO* cherish, and that's a 5-star read in my estimation!
I loved getting to know the folks on Whitecap Island, and how they pulled together to help each other in their extremities. I loved how Father Tim was willing to listen to God's leading, even when it didn't make sense.
But, most of all, I loved the sermon he preached at the end . . . on 'Homecoming Day'. That was the Gospel, more plain and precious than I have heard it in any book other than Scripture itself. My heart rejoiced in my own salvation, and I wept as various congregants dedicated and rededicated their lives to Christ. While this book did not *change* my heart, nor really teach me anything I do not already know, it invited me to rejoice in the truths I *DO* cherish, and that's a 5-star read in my estimation!
January 24, 2022
Another gentle, enjoyable read that nonetheless deals with real-life heartache. I love all the Mitford books, but I have to say I'm not as fond of this one as of the previous books. Even though it's fun to see Father Tim make new friends, I miss the Mitford crowd. But I love how honest these books are about life and the gospel, even if I don't always agree with all the particulars.
March 28, 2017
1.1 - 1.5.2017
Re-read
Each time I reread this book, it speaks to me in a different way, and usually, I gain great comfort from reading this.
This time, however, comfort is not what happened. I read it for that and got the opposite. I experienced sorrow and sadness while reading and while I gained comfort at the end [because the end is so very glorious; any time a wayward child finds their way back to the Savior, it is glorious, whether in print or in real life], it left me with questions about my own life and where I stand in my walk. And it reminded me just how lonely I am and how, if not checked, loneliness can bring along worse things.
It was good for me to read this and be reminded that I need to turn everything, including my loneliness, over to God and let Him heal me.
Whatever lessons I learn when I read this are welcome. From a grateful heart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5.26 - 5.29.2015
Re-read
Its funny. This book doesn't spend much time in Mitford, though the characters permeate the whole novel, and yet it has to be one of my favorite of the series. You really get to see Father Tim and Cynthia and how they work together and how they truly love whatever flock they are given. Its an amazing story and I am drawn to it over and over again. JUST what I needed. This move never fails to move me in some way. The lessons to be learned here are all good ones and the reminder to trust God no matter WHAT He is telling you is just what my bruised heart needed. Such a balm.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
9/10/09
I love this book. Totally. Every time I read this I either learn something new OR am completely touched by the story in a way I never expected.
Though this book is NOT set in Mitford, it is one of my absolute favorites. There is something about the true humanity of the people Father Tim is sent to minister to. I just fell in love with these people and never wanted Father Tim and Cynthia to leave.
Still 5 stars for me and still an amazing read!!!
Re-read
Each time I reread this book, it speaks to me in a different way, and usually, I gain great comfort from reading this.
This time, however, comfort is not what happened. I read it for that and got the opposite. I experienced sorrow and sadness while reading and while I gained comfort at the end [because the end is so very glorious; any time a wayward child finds their way back to the Savior, it is glorious, whether in print or in real life], it left me with questions about my own life and where I stand in my walk. And it reminded me just how lonely I am and how, if not checked, loneliness can bring along worse things.
It was good for me to read this and be reminded that I need to turn everything, including my loneliness, over to God and let Him heal me.
Whatever lessons I learn when I read this are welcome. From a grateful heart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5.26 - 5.29.2015
Re-read
Its funny. This book doesn't spend much time in Mitford, though the characters permeate the whole novel, and yet it has to be one of my favorite of the series. You really get to see Father Tim and Cynthia and how they work together and how they truly love whatever flock they are given. Its an amazing story and I am drawn to it over and over again. JUST what I needed. This move never fails to move me in some way. The lessons to be learned here are all good ones and the reminder to trust God no matter WHAT He is telling you is just what my bruised heart needed. Such a balm.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
9/10/09
I love this book. Totally. Every time I read this I either learn something new OR am completely touched by the story in a way I never expected.
Though this book is NOT set in Mitford, it is one of my absolute favorites. There is something about the true humanity of the people Father Tim is sent to minister to. I just fell in love with these people and never wanted Father Tim and Cynthia to leave.
Still 5 stars for me and still an amazing read!!!
March 11, 2019
Of all of Jan Karon's canon, I had the fewest memories from my first reading of A New Song nearly two decades ago. So the joy of re-reading was redoubled.
Chapter 13, Mighty Waters, is a masterpiece of construction, prose, and humor. Honestly, Jan Karon stands with the best comedy writers. Father Tim goes on a charter boat deep sea fishing. Do read it. You will discover the most elegant sentence ever written about upchucking.
I even love the cadence of this: He was baking, he was broiling, he was frying, he was cooked.
Fun story: I read this while in Yosemite with my husband, brother, and sister-in-law. Our wifi was spotty to nonexistent. One of my reading habits is to look up any unfamiliar reference. I mentioned to my brother, a professional musician, that I needed to listen to the Widor (I pronounced it Why door) Toccata when I got internet access. He corrected my pronunciation (VEE-dor) and started singing it in pom pom piddy pom pom syllables that captured the organ very well. I knew the piece, but just hadn't known the name. Win!
Chapter 13, Mighty Waters, is a masterpiece of construction, prose, and humor. Honestly, Jan Karon stands with the best comedy writers. Father Tim goes on a charter boat deep sea fishing. Do read it. You will discover the most elegant sentence ever written about upchucking.
I even love the cadence of this: He was baking, he was broiling, he was frying, he was cooked.
Fun story: I read this while in Yosemite with my husband, brother, and sister-in-law. Our wifi was spotty to nonexistent. One of my reading habits is to look up any unfamiliar reference. I mentioned to my brother, a professional musician, that I needed to listen to the Widor (I pronounced it Why door) Toccata when I got internet access. He corrected my pronunciation (VEE-dor) and started singing it in pom pom piddy pom pom syllables that captured the organ very well. I knew the piece, but just hadn't known the name. Win!
May 11, 2024
I don't like change. It takes me awhile to get used to it. Especially when I really, really love something. I didn't like leaving Mitford for this particular story about Father Tim and Cynthia. But then I got used to it and found things to like about their experiences in Whitecap.
My favorite vignette, if you will, in this particular Mitford book is the one where Father Tim goes fishing. Hysterical (because I can sadly sympathize). :D
Very fun read.
My favorite vignette, if you will, in this particular Mitford book is the one where Father Tim goes fishing. Hysterical (because I can sadly sympathize). :D
Very fun read.
December 14, 2015
Insightful, Warm, Engaging & Touching! A Wonderful Read! I Loved It!
May 17, 2022
Book - 5 stars
Narration by John McDonough - 5 stars and a 💖!
Narration by John McDonough - 5 stars and a 💖!
June 11, 2025
I LOVED IT SO MUCH!! I was a little sad when father Tim and Cynthia were leaving Mitford! I have come to think of all the residents as my own family and friends. No one would compare. But I was pleasantly surprised by how I came to love the people of white cap just as much!!
Jan Karon has a great gift from God and I am glad she shares it with us in such an uplifting and encouraging way!
Jan Karon has a great gift from God and I am glad she shares it with us in such an uplifting and encouraging way!
July 5, 2014
The fifth novel in the mitford/Father Tim series does the unthinkable - leave Mitford. Father Tim has retired and he has been assigned to serve as an interim priest in a small parish in the small island of Whitecap. Whitecap is no Mitford although there are quirky and interesting characters, most notably, Morris Love, who is literally and figuratively trapped - inside the boondoggle of a house his father built, inside his deformed boy and inside his own self, but he has an amazing gift, his ability to play the oragn. After Tim meets him accidentally when his Buick of a dog, Barnibus, goes after a squirrel and into Morris' yard, Tim becomes determined to crack the shell he has built around himself.
Throw in another discarded boy and other sundry characters and reports of the doings in Mitford and a good, but utterly predictable storm and you have a decent novel, but, as I said, Whitecap is no Mitford. Thus, I cannot give this novel five stars and won't until the Kavanaughs return to those high green hills.
Throw in another discarded boy and other sundry characters and reports of the doings in Mitford and a good, but utterly predictable storm and you have a decent novel, but, as I said, Whitecap is no Mitford. Thus, I cannot give this novel five stars and won't until the Kavanaughs return to those high green hills.
Read
February 27, 2015This is my favorite Mitford book so far. There are no major plot stories here, although the book is full of drama and some tense moments. I loved this book for the spiritual journey of it's charachters, including Fr Tim. I was moved to tears at times. I haven't darkened the door of a church in years, except to attend a wedding or funeral, but found myself worshipping alonside the members of the tiny seaside church. The call to faith was so profound I felt my heart stop.
Father Tim preaches a sermon, the text of which is included in its entirety in the book. I intend to save this for my own reflection.
Father Tim preaches a sermon, the text of which is included in its entirety in the book. I intend to save this for my own reflection.
November 20, 2021
This is where the fantasy world got rather infuriating for me. The idea that you can adopt a boy, ship him off to boarding school, not keep your word to show up for him in a crisis, etc., etc., and he will just keep on being perfectly fine and never having any issues is just stupid. That kind of sentimentality is what tricks people into pursuing adoption and thinking it's going to be all roses and getting rude surprises and wrecked families. Dooley needed them, and they should have gone. Timothy is such an ineffective limp noodle. He downright repulses me sometimes.
May 21, 2024
2024 re-read: Some have complained that this one left Mitford behind for most of the story. I don't agree: in the whole scope of the series, this one had to happen too. Is it any coincidence that the Kavanaghs move into Dove Cottage, in a book where some mighty powerful working of the Spirit is going on?
July 5, 2014
It was ok. Very predictable. The ending seemed to rush everything. The hermit was a hermit through the whole book and then all of a sudden in the last few pages he was the church organist and came out of his shell. But there was no explanation. Weird.
August 5, 2019
Left Mitford for awhile, started to feel overwhelmed by life, and so came back 😂 I didn’t love this one as much because...it’s not set in Mitford. But still, when you’re lonely for your fictional friends, something is better than nothing.
May 24, 2017
Delightful. Good for the spirit. 🤗
September 14, 2021
Even though it’s very Episcopalian, the ending was so sweet. It really brought out God’s Providence in conversion.
August 5, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It is a Christian fiction book following the life of an old Priest. It shows the honesty of real life and how faith can change your perspective to the better. Grateful for the time I got to read this book.
October 24, 2022
So far my favorite Mitford book! Never laughed so hard❤️
April 1, 2024
This had a lot of variety to it, and I thought the author kept up the pace well with a change of venue.
June 19, 2025
June 2025
Reread, audiobook.
March 2022
Reread, audiobook.
Love revisiting this series.
Somehow I forgot a ton of details despite only reading this two years ago.
"Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations, and say continually: 'The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart has trusted in Him and I am helped. He is not only with me but in me and I in Him.'"
St. Francis de Sales, from Fr Tim's quote book in Chapter Sixteen.
January 2020
Another wonderful addition to the series. I was a little concerned, not being set in Mitford, that this volume wouldn't be as enjoyable. I was very happily proved wrong. I became just as involved and taken with the community of Whitecap and parishioners of St. John's as I am with the people of Mitford.
Reread, audiobook.
March 2022
Reread, audiobook.
Love revisiting this series.
Somehow I forgot a ton of details despite only reading this two years ago.
"Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations, and say continually: 'The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart has trusted in Him and I am helped. He is not only with me but in me and I in Him.'"
St. Francis de Sales, from Fr Tim's quote book in Chapter Sixteen.
January 2020
Another wonderful addition to the series. I was a little concerned, not being set in Mitford, that this volume wouldn't be as enjoyable. I was very happily proved wrong. I became just as involved and taken with the community of Whitecap and parishioners of St. John's as I am with the people of Mitford.
May 30, 2021
"A New Song" took some time for me to embrace. I was nearly two thirds of the way through the book when my girls asked me, as I picked it up with a sigh: "Why are you reading that if you don't like it? Your reading time is precious." Really, it was more of a case of the book being so long and my wanting to start something else than my not liking it. I gave it one more chapter and am glad I stuck with it to the end. I liked the theme of new beginnings and marked several quotes (from Louis L'Amour to Thomas à Kempis). My girls are right, though. I don't have much time to sit with a book so I will probably finish the rest of this series with my ears while folding laundry and pulling weeds.
December 15, 2017
I have really enjoyed the previous Mitford series books but this one was just okay. This is the first book in the series that if you hadn't read the previous books you would really be missing out on who was who when previous characters are brought up. In the previous books I thought the characters were developed until you got to know them. The ones in this book, not so much.
May 27, 2008
I read a few chapters, but never could get into this book. It went on and on about their preparation to leave Mitford and didn't resolve early on the kids that they helped out. The backwoods language of some of the characters made it difficult to get through.
December 27, 2020
It was nice to once again spend some time with Father Tim. This is the first Mitford book I've read since I began pastoring and I rather enjoyed watching the pastoral ministry of this fictional character.
July 21, 2025
I've been re-reading these slowly but surely the past few months, and it's such a joy to be back in Mitford. It really does feel like home.
I think I'd love to live on an island for a while. :)
I think I'd love to live on an island for a while. :)
April 23, 2021
I enjoyed re-reading this book which is not set in Mitford but has a new set of wonderful characters to enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 791 reviews