Customer Reviews

Almost Friends: A Harmony Novel (Harmony Novels)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

"Almost Friends: A Harmony Novel" captured my attention from the first page to the last. I laughed out loud, I contemplated the deep truths presented by Gulley's familiar cast of characters, I met a new friend in "Krista," and I finished this book a better person than when I began. Gulley's gifted writing inspires me to reconsider many long held beliefs in light of a growing faith and realization of God's unconditional love. I've only owned this book for a week and I've already lent it out twice...much the to delight of those to whom I've lent it!

In the next installment of the people of Harmony, Philip Gulley stretches his artistic ability by accurately expressing the doubts and disillusionment Sam Gardner feels as his parishoners stretch him to the breaking point, and as Sam's father is struck with a severe illness. Not as laugh-out-loud funny as some of his other books, Almost Friends, with gentle, stirring humor guides the reader through some serious situations, as well as brings its reader to the frustration point as Fern and Dale join forces to not only oust Sam from his position, but also the person, Krista, who takes over in his absence. As usual, Gulley brings to life the characters in his book so that you think you are reading about the neighbor next door ~ as seems what many of these fictional characters have become to those who now anxiously look forward to the goings on in Harmony, and in the lives of Sam and Barbara Gardner.

While I may not agree with Mr. Gulley's personal opinions, there is no one who can write a book about "Small Town America" like he can.

I have tangled with everyone of his characters, through the years, only they have different names.

Keep up the good work. I have read every one of his books.

I've read a half dozen of these Harmony novels, and thoroughly enjoy each one. Gulley does a great job fleshing out the delightful archetypical characters in his stories. And this one adds the controversial element of a interim female pastor leading the local Friends/Quaker congregation. This story was relaxing, delightfully fun, and refreshingly honest -- just like other Gulley titles.

Friends,

I enjoyed the book as I have enjoyed all of the author's books. As a pastor I almost feel a little guilty reading his books. I can put my own names and faces to the characters in the Harmony Friends Meeting. These people inhabitat every church in some form. The ideas and the values that the author speaks about both good and bad are so common in our churches and our society at large. I have read comments where people blast the books a being too liberal, but I consider myself a middle of the road person and I cannot object with the author's writings. My guess is that the people who really who find the plot lines to be too slanted have been tweeked in someway by the author's writings.

A good pastor should know how to do that. As a pastor I began to think about how I would handle an effective and dynamic person filling in at the pulpit for me. For awhile it would be good to have the time off, but then I might well find myself jealous. What is more, sometimes the pastor is uncomfortable taking on elements of the congregation and simply avoids the conflict.

I am not mad at the author for pointing out these flaws that most pastors have. Instead I am grateful that the author can write with such honesty. It makes me review my calling and the manner in which I answer it.

Once again, I loved the book and look forward to the next one.

Almost Friends by Phillip Gulley is the next book in the Harmony Friends series. This series has been marked by ups and downs, suffering most when Gulley writes in 3rd person rather than 1st, but it's always been an enjoyable read. I recognize so many people in my church in the stories Gulley tells about his church. The tales of a small town church are heart-warming and laugh out loud funny, but in this installment, Gulley writes with an agenda. When Sam's father suffers a heart attack, he takes a sabbatical from preaching at Harmony Friends. The church hires a young interim pastor, Krista Reily, who inspires with her preaching and even heals the sick! Soon Sam is jealous of Krista's success and wonders about the security of his job. Of course Fern and Dale have to mess everything up. This series does best when telling God's truths through quiet stories of faith in the real world. This story forces the issue of homosexuality into the small town of Harmony, and while that's an issue that many churches are facing today, Gulley portrays it as a black or white issue with the "bad guys" in town on one side and anyone with common sense on the other. That's not how the issue plays out in the real world, and I think that Gulley tries to make the issue too cut and dried in forcing a solution. This isn't an easy issue, and Gulley shouldn't try to make it out to be.

Any of the Harmony books by Phillip Gulley are good. They kind of remind you of Jan Karon's Mitford series books but are funnier. I recommend it highly.

I have read the entire Harmony Series. All the harmony books are funny, delightful and entertaining. Having had a fundamental baptist upbringing I have meet first hand some Dale Hinshaws and Fern Hamptons. Oh course that probably explains why I now attend a non denominational church. I'm disappointed this is the last book. I will probably continue to read the books over and over again every so often.

Sam Gardner is feeling burned out with his pastorship of the Harmony Friends Meeting. At the same time, Sam's father suffers a heart attack and Sam feels that he should take a sabbatical in order to help both of his parents until his father gets back on his feet. His congregation agrees with this and they request an interim pastor. The pastor turns out to be a divinity student named Krista Riley who soon charms the congregation with her preaching and pastoral concern. Sam's nose is out of joint and soon he begins to fear that his flock will not want him back but will hire Krista instead. As usual Dale Hinshaw and Fern Hampton begin to find fault with Krista and soon ask her to leave. Sam is faced with an unusual situation in which his conscience is telling him to defend Krista, but his practical side is afraid that he might lose his job and his home. This crisis of conscience is at the crux of Philip Gulley's latest book, and although it may not be solved in a way which is pleasing to all readers, the book does serve to entertain and to make the reader think about some important issues for modern-day congregations.

Philip Gulley has a way of writing about church and small town life that is inclusive to those of us who don't usually feel like we fit into those places. From the moment I started reading the first Harmony book, to the end of this latest one, I felt welcome in his world and inspired to be a nicer person than usual.

That says a lot coming from someone who doesn't go to church or live in a small town. His characters are charming and easy to relate to, and his talk about church life, morals, and God are inclusive. If you find Jan Karon's Mitford a little heavy-handed with the evangelizing, this series may be more your speed.

In this book, we are shown more of Sam and see him struggling with some very human failings. Sam takes some time off to care for his father, and while he is gone a student minister named Krista takes his place. Between Dale Hinshaw's rantings that a woman is leading the church, Fern's ire over Krista's involvement in the big Chicken Noodle Dinner event, and Sam's jealousy over the welcome that people give to Krista, we get to be along for the ride as Harmony's residents struggle with change in the church and try to triumph over their personal failings.

This is a light and easy series to read and is very uplifting. I read it in a day - I just didn't want to put it down - and finished it feeling inspired and refreshed.

This latest is highly recommended.