Light from Heaven (The Mitford Years #9) (Large Print) [Unknown Binding]

Product Details

• Unknown Binding
• Publisher: Viking Press; Large Print edition
• ASIN: B000M4XTRA
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (125 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

119 of 132 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THIS SEQUEL IS WORTH THE LONG WAIT, November 8, 2005

By 

VAL ODUENYI (Switzerland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Light from Heaven (The Mitford Years, Book 9) (Hardcover)

Well-written, well-bound, and overflowing with dynamic gists; this long-awaited final volume of "Light from Heaven" took almost eternity to be published. But the good news is that its contents truly justified the long wait. Expectedly, the book imbibed some new characters in addition to all the old ones with whom previous readers are familiar.
And whatever your opinion on Father Timothy Kavanagh's intriguing life, one thing is guaranteed: this latest volume did bring out the best from Jan Karon's narratives. This sequel is so captivating that even after devouring its close-to-400 pages, one will be left wondering why the author chose to 'summarize' such an exciting story. Without question, this book's 380 pages could have yielded a dynamic 580 pages with a little effort. Anyone who reads it would testify to this fact.
Meanwhile, in the course of tracing their steps across the domestic minefield they called home, the priesthood of Father Timothy was consummately tested: just as the mystery and the muscle of Cynthia's house-sitting were laid bare.
Despite its late arrival to the market, this book is a well-laid-out sequel, which will earn the interest of any story-lover. Another fine piece from Jan Karon!

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A HEARTWARMING STORY WITH A MESSAGE OF HOPE, November 30, 2005

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Light from Heaven (The Mitford Years, Book 9) (Audio CD)

Thanks to Jan Karon, Mitford has become a literary heart's home for many. And, thanks to John McDonough, Father Timothy Kavanaugh has become very real, a voice both rugged and kind, only slightly accented, appropriately rich and mature. One can imagine him delivering a homily to a rapt congregation.

In this, the final installment in the highly popular series, we find Father Tim and his wife, Cynthia, doing a favor for friends. They're house sitting on a farm where, as the beloved cleric says, There's naught to do but "read, rest, and walk four dogs." Cynthia asks him to go into town to pick up supplies for their son's visit. While he's happy to do so, he also ruefully acknowledges that he might wish to be called upon to do something a bit more interesting.

His wish is granted when the Bishop assigns him to Holy Trinity, a small church in the mountains that hasn't had a viable congregation in four decades. Father Tim and Cynthia arrive with little hope of finding very much in the way of a structure, but are delighted to find that Holy Trinity has been well maintained by loving congregants.

Light From Heaven is the story of how Father Tim and Cynthia become acquainted with the people who live in the mountains and try to build a congregation. Throughout, listeners are treated to visits from characters met in previous installments, and enchanted by the Kavanaugh's new friends.

Once again, Jan Karon has penned an entertaining, heartwarming story carrying a message of hope.

- Gail Cooke

45 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Father Gathers the Family; Moving On, November 22, 2005

By 

rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Light from Heaven (The Mitford Years, Book 9) (Hardcover)

Saliently Ms. Karon summarizes the series and this final installment in the Mitford series: the Father gathers the family; then moves on.

Weaving with her demonstrated skill at keeping multiple storylines going and keeping the reader's interest perked (or not all it seems from some of the reviewers with this finale) she marvelously weaves her magic through tales of ordinary folks on a mountain wrapped with Mitford folks we've come to know and love over the series.

From runaway kids of dysfunctional homes to lead poisoning to hidden money to a chicken thief. Notably, however, this offering has more Scripture, more witness to the faith than the others. Thus, easily this reviewer's esteem and enjoyment following the reopened spiritual outpost. The interspersing of hymns and prayers and emails show that faith of old still functioning even in age of technology. What marvelous seaming together of the wonder of it all!

Especially touching is ASL signing with Clarence and small congregation's learning to communicate with this neglected language group.

What begins in the spring seems so encouraging to a book introduced as chill of fall turns to winter approaches, renewing one's longing for it. Ending as it does with a June scene and paths yet untrod ahead for our Father Timothy and Cynthia, seems the perfect jumpoff for what is to come from our beloved wordsmith Karon.

Can't wait for Fr.T series, but now relishing this wonderful finale read!