Customer Reviews

Home to Harmony

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a delightful book, not at all what I feared (a knockoff of Mitford - another town I'd love to live in). Philip Gulley's writing style is full of dry wit that makes me laugh out loud and insist that those near me listen to a funny section. Who could resist the Live Free or Die Sunday School class; Frank, the secretary who hangs up on callers he doesn't like; Miss Rudy's flinch when she hears of Jesus healing the ten "leapers"? On a more serious note, grace , sorrow, and redemption are woven through his stories. If you are looking for superbly written stories, this book would be the perfect choice.

Harmony, a small town pastored by Quaker minister, Sam Gardner, is a wonderful place to visit! One can only hope this is the beginning of a series by author Philip Gulley about this little town and its endearing minister. I picked this book up because (1) I have been feeling homesick for a visit to Jan Karon's little town, Mitford, and hoped Harmony might ease that homesickness; and (2) because the back cover compared Mr. Gulley's writing as "part Mark Twain and part Garrison Keillor." Well, on points (1) and (2), I was not let down. Mr. Gulley has a humorous and gentle writing style that is easy on the spirit as he draws you into the hearts and foibles of Minister Sam Gardner's parishioners. At the end of each chapter, he has a subtle and thought-provoking way of challenging his reader to reflect on (1) God's grace in our lives; (2) recognizing the blessings in our lives that we so often take for granted; and (3) dropping the pretenses that so often separate us from both God and one another. This sounds like heavy stuff -- and yet Mr. Gulley has such a light touch that he doesn't bludgeon us with the lessons he seeks to teach -- but gently leads us into the realization that God is gracious and ever-present. Especially in the everyday ordinariness of our lives. Well done, Mr. Gulley!

I confess to thoughts that this book might be just a little too sweet, but was completely charmed beginning to end. Actually rushed out for another copy to send to Auntique Bea, who will love it too! From the church elder run amok - "if there is a bad idea to be thought" kind of effect, to the contentment, gentleness and grace of small town life, every chapter told a special story with a thought provoking ending. The widower and the Chinese twins, spiritual warfare in a pacifist church, and delivery of a demon bus, Diet Sodas for the wedding anniversary, Ulysses S. Grant 5, Spelling Bee Champ, taking the sex out of secretary, the midnight toilet installation, and the Golden Goose & the lottery winner, all make the ordinary into something truly remarkable. I can't recommend it highly enough - all ages, either gender. This author just hit my favorites list!

I have read 2 of Phillip Gulley's nonfiction books and thoroughly enjoyed them. I am always looking for books in the style of Jan Karon's Mitford series and "Home to Harmony" did not disappoint me. I found myself laughing outloud one minute and deeply touched the next. Mr. Gulley has a wonderful way of imparting truth in a gentle manner. I was sorry to get to the end of the book and I hope he writes a sequel to this wonderful book.

Having read Phillip Gulley's "Front Porch Tales," I was eager and intrigued to pick up his first work of fiction, "Home to Harmony." And I'm happy to report that the magic and wonder that made "Front Porch Tales" such an enjoyable read is present here.

The story is told from the perspective of Sam Gardner, who grew up in the small town of Harmony and has now returned as the minsiter of the local Quaker congreagation. There's no real plot to the novel, so much as there are anecdotes about the various people and places in town. Gulley's Harmony reminds of the calm, tranquility that first make Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon so enduring to listeners and then readers. (Indeed, at times throughout the book I found myself yearning to hear Mr. Gulley's voice telling us these stories). At the end of each chapter, Gulley presents us with the moral of the story or makes a good point. He's never heavy-handed with it and the point he's trying to make fits seamlessly into the stories.

If you're looking to slip into a comfortable place that's gentle and calm, I highly recommend a trip to Harmony. The book and the stories are as comfortable as old friends.

MR. GULLY HAS WRITTEN ON OF THE BEST BOOK I THINK I HAVE EVER READ. I ABSOULTELY LOVED THIS BOOK AND I AM NOW PASSING IT ON TO OTHERS SO THAT THEY CAN ENJOY IT AS MUCH AS I DID. IT MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD AND I JUST FELL IN LOVE WITH HIS CHARACTERS. IT WAS A EASY BOOK TO READ AND IT MADE YOU WISH THAT YOU COULD LIVE IN HARMONY WITH THE REST OF THEM. I HOPE THAT HE WRITES A SEQUAL TO THIS BECAUSE I WOULD LOVE TO GO BACK TO HARMONY AND VISIT THE LITTLE TOWN AGAIN. BEING A CATHOLIC I LOVED THE IDEA BEHIND THE QUAKERS AND WHAT GOD MEANS TO THEM AND WHAT HE DOES FOR THEM. ( I LOVED THE REFERENCE ABOUT THE POPE ). I HOPE MORE PEOPLE CAN ENJOY THIS AND GET AS MUCH OUT OF IT AS I DID. THANK YOU MR. GULLEY FOR ALLOWING US TO GO TO HARMONY.

I had read many good reviews about the Mitford series so I figured I would veer off of my usual reading material and start with something completely different.

Along the way Amazon recommend Philip Gulley's Home to Harmony so I read this first. I think that this book is easily in my top 10 reads ever! I was laughing out loud at many points in this book. I found that even though the book might be considered a "light" read, I thought that there are many places where deeper meanings prevail and that there was much more "under the hood" than first appears.

So, now I am reading Just Shy of Harmony and have yet to get to, what was my main objective, the Mitford series. I highly recommend Home to Harmony.

I discovered Home to Harmony on the library shelf. I thought it would be a nice, quiet, peaceful book. Little did I know that I would be almost rolling on the floor with laughter! This book is pure delight! My husband, who hates being read to most of the time, just had to know what was so funny. We spent a rainy Saturday afternoon of reading aloud and laughing. The people in this book are just like a lot of people we know! Then, Mr. Gulley would get serious -- but not too serious. He shares his moral and Christian insights with humor and grace. This book is never too "preachy." If anyone is thinking of reading this book, do yourself a favor and get it as fast as you can. It is the most delightful book I have read in quite some time. I can't wait to read Phillip Gulley's other three books as well.

I have the audio version of Home to Harmony, and it is a delight to listen to. I tend to play the same chapter over and over right before bed, falling asleep to the comforting, but humorous voice of Philip Gulley/Sam Gardner. My favorite tape contains "Miss Rudy, Wilbur, and Friday Nights" and "Brother Norman and the Bus," my two favorite excerpts.

Gulley offers a warm welcome into his ficticious world, and as you read or listen, you settle in and decide to stay, meeting the odd, quirky people of Harmony, Indiana, and Harmony Friends Meeting. The stories are well-crafted and memorable, staying with you long after you put the book down. Who can resist laughing at Dale Henshaw (if there's a bad idea, it's almost sure to be thought of by Dale Henshaw) or Bob Myers, Sr., a gruff old man who Sam fears will fight for us "to return to the gold standard"? You almost feel sorry for Bro. Norman, "not the brightest bulb in the chandelier" but a compassionate missionary to the Choctaw Indians in Oklahoma. How about Wilbur Matthews, a courageous man with a shameful secret" who is compared to William Allman Wheeler, a man of vision? Then there's Fern Hampton, a critic of Sam's sermons; Asa and Jessie Peacock; and the list goes on.

You'll love Gulley's characters and his soothing storytelling style. I highly recommend this series!

I had never heard of this book until I saw it on my Amazon recommendations list. I was really in need of something light and this sounded like it had possibilities. Just in case, I bought one of the very low-priced used copies. However, now I would pay full hardcover price because it was wonderful. I was sad when I finished it last night! There were so many times that I just burst out laughing while reading it. This author has a way of writing about fictional people as if they live next door. What I particularly enjoyed was the "tie up" at the end of most chapters. Mr. Gulley usually ended with a common sense observation that put relationships, money, position, family, etc, in their appropriate positions for a life that really counts. I would love to recount some of the stories, but you as a reader deserve more than some sort of "cliff's notes" rendition of some truly wonderful writing. One thing - although the narrator is a pastor of the Friends' Church (more commonly known as Quaker), every story, every character will remind any reader of an experience or a person they have known, no matter what your theology.