Book
In this mountain / Jan Karon.
Record details
- ISBN: 0143035088 (Penguin
- ISBN: 0670031046 (alk. paper)
- ISBN: 9780670031047 (hc.)
- ISBN: 0670031046 (hc.)
- Physical Description: xiv, 382 p. : ill ; 24 cm.
- Publisher: New York : Viking, 2002.
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| Genre: | Christian fiction. Domestic fiction. Christian fiction. |
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| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Holdable? | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gibsons Public Library | FIC KARO (Text) | 30886000197927 | Adult Fiction | Volume hold | Available | - |
- Booklist Reviews : Booklist Monthly Selections - #2 May 2002
/*Starred Review*/ Following the sweet trifle of A Common Life (2001), Karon serves up heartier fare in the latest installment in the increasingly popular, faith-based Mitford series. Father Tim has been retired from the Lord's Chapel for several years now but still feels unsettled. Although he and wife, Cynthia, have made plans to spend a year in an Appalachian ministry, there are other opportunities available, several of them related to Cynthia's growing fame as an author and illustrator of children's books. But Father Tim's inability--or stubborn refusal--to control his diabetes leads to a crisis that completely overturns his generally placid daily round. Meanwhile, efforts continue to reunite all the members of adopted son Dooley's scattered family; rehabilitated ex-convict George Gaynor comes back to town with interesting consequences for Hope Winchester at the Happy Endings Bookstore; Emma Newland's efforts to make Father Tim computer literate finally start to pay off; the Main Street Grill regulars welcome the new pastor at the Methodist church--a woman (perhaps destined for a larger role in the next book?). Notwithstanding her quaint small-town setting and folksy cast of recurring characters, Karon always manages to avoid sentimentality by realistically depicting life's challenges. In past books Father Tim has ministered to other people in need, but this time he undergoes a severe test of his own, and it makes for a deeper book. Loyal fans will eat up the newest Mitford, and readers who may have been growing weary of Father Tim will find refreshment here. ((Reviewed May 15, 2002)) Copyright 2002 Booklist Reviews - BookPage Reviews : BookPage Reviews 2002 June
Will Father Tim smile again?After four years of retirement, Father Tim still hasn't come up with a good answer to the inevitable question, "So what are you doing these days?"
He volunteers, chews the fat with the regulars at the Main Street Grill, jogs with his dog Barnabas, tries to keep his diabetes in check and watches his wife Cynthia go into her studio to create award-winning children's books. But Father Tim feels like he's not doing nearly enough.
Then, just when he finds a new commitment, he allows his blood sugar to get out of hand, with catastrophic results. Soon he doubts his ability to do anything.
In This Mountain, Jan Karon's seventh novel in the Mitford series, makes some hard observations about aging. Yet, at the same time she assures readers that through the grace of God, there is always reason for optimism.
When Father Tim, almost 69, finds himself in a deep depression, all of Mitford struggles to bring him out of it. To the author's credit, she is honest about how hard that can be. Of course, long-time fans of this North Carolina series will know that through some combination of prayer, loveâand possibly medicationâFather Tim will smile again.
The suspense that propels the book comes from smaller questions. Will Father Tim ever go online? Will his adopted son Dooley find his siblings? Will Mitford accept ex-convicts who have paid their debt to society? Will the bookstore manager find true love?
This meandering novel begins with the unlikely exclamation "Moles again!" and moves through familiar territoryâa place that feels like the hometown few of us ever had. Karon excels at generating folksiness, love and genuine caring among her eccentric characters as she allows them to age and grow.
Some characters seem overdone, however. Consider the pool player known as Pink, who introduces his friend thus: "This here's Skin Head Bug Eye Snaggle Tooth Austin, you can call 'im Bug f'r short." More true to life, and to the book, is Uncle Billy who punctuates his conversation with "don't you know?" and searches for jokes to make Father Tim laugh.
Plenty happens in the closing pages of the book, pointing to a sequel. Jan Karon is not finished with Mitford yet.
Anne Morris writes from Austin, Texas. Copyright 2002 BookPage Reviews
- Library Journal Reviews : LJ Reviews 2002 March #2
All is placid in Mitford after Father Tim returns from Whitecap Island, but events are looming that will challenge everyone's faith. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information. - Publishers Weekly Reviews : PW Reviews 2002 May #3
Fans of Mitford, N.C., will rejoice over this anticipated full-length seventh installment in the bestselling series, especially those disappointed with its shorter, rather lightweight predecessor, A Common Life. Although this offering is permeated with Karon's trademark charm, the plot isn't all sweetness and light. Three years have passed since Father Tim Kavanagh and his wife, Cynthia, returned to Mitford from Whitecap Island, and depression and discontent are gnawing away at the good cleric as he faces the big "7-0." As Cynthia's career reaches new heights, Father Tim makes some personal decisions that lead to tragedy. But never fear - although Karon strikes some somber notes, she avoids becoming heavy-handed. Devoted readers will find the same appealing characters and enchanting writing that originally won them to the series. edith Mallory is up to her old tricks, plotting her seduction of Father Tim, and haircut wars are fought between barber Joe Ivey and stylist Fancy Skinner. Convicted jewel thief George Gaynor returns to the series after his release from jail; something new is cooking down at the Main Street Grill; and Dooley Barlowe learns the ropes of romance even as he agonizes over a search that may turn up his lost father and brothers. Karon more fully fleshes out two of the series' minor characters, Helene Pringle and Hope Winchester, and introduces newcomer Millie Tipton, a wise-cracking Methodist preacher who fits comfortably into town life. Homespun dialogue, fresh and lively descriptions, laugh-out-loud moments and poignant scenes mark the heartfelt book, which is a happy reunion for Mitford devotees. (May 27) Forecast: With more than 10 million Mitford novels in print and with the most recent title, A Common Life, dominating bestseller lists last year, the success of this installment is a no-brainer. A month before publication, it had already ventured into Amazon.com's top 50. Break out the orange marmalade cake. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
