A Light in the Window (The Mitford Years, Book 2) [Paperback]

Jan Karon (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 1, 1996

The second book in Jan Karon’s bestselling Mitford series confirms that a trip to Mitford is good for the soul

His attractive neighbor is tugging at his heartstrings. A wealthy widow is pursuing him with hot casseroles. And his red-haired Cousin Meg has moved into the rectory, uninvited. As you can see, Mitford's rector and lifelong bachelor, Father Tim, is in need of divine intervention. In this beautifully crafted second novel in the Mitford series, Jan Karon delivers a love story that's both heartwarming and hilarious. Only time will tell if the village parson can practice what he preaches. Like At Home in Mitford, this book is filled with the miracles and mysteries of everyday life. And the affirmation of what some of us already know: Life in a small town is rarely quiet and it is absolutely never boring.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A Light in the Window is the second installment in this enormously popular series about a small-town rector, Father Tim, and the heartwarming cast of characters surrounding him. This time Father Tim, a lifelong bachelor, finds his heart distracted by his free-spirited neighbor Cynthia, but his stomach and the rectory cash box are distracted by Edith, a wealthy widow who is wooing the rector with love potion casseroles. At every turn, including when a brooding Irish cousin decides to move in, Father Tim must decide whether he will practice what he preaches.

Fans of the series say they long to buy real estate in Mitford, just so they can live next door to these funny and endearing characters and feel the embrace of such a loving community. But what author Jan Karon probably knows, and many readers are starting to figure out, is that the integrity and solid Christian values that these characters possess can be found in just about every neighborhood, and with inspiration like this book, anyone can build their own Mitford community. --Gail Hudson

From Publishers Weekly

The first two novels in Karon's Mitford series chronicle the everyday eccentricities of a small North Carolina town.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Group, Inc; Reprint edition (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140254544
• ISBN-13: 978-0140254549
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (109 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,312 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jan Karon is the author of the bestselling series of nine Mitford novels featuring Father Timothy Kavanagh, an Episcopal priest, and the fictional village of Mitford. Set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Karon's Mitford books include At Home in Mitford; A Light in the Window; These High, Green Hills; Out to Canaan; A New Song; A Common Life: The Wedding Story; In This Mountain; Shepherd's Abiding; and Light from Heaven. The Father Tim Novels include "Home to Holly Springs" and last fall's release of "In the Company of Others," set in County Sligo, Ireland. There are over 40 million Mitford and Father Tim novels, childrens books, and CDs in print.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 57 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You can go home again . . . to Mitford December 3, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This book was every bit as delightful as At Home in Mitford, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. Jan Karon has created the perfect small town in which we would all like to live, and it is a joy to visit there, even if only for a little while. Esther Cunningham, the mayor of Mitford, says that Mitford always takes care of its own, and I think that is what we all love about the place. It's a place where the community love God and love their neighbors, with all their faults and eccentricities. It is also wonderful to read a about romance between mature adults Father Tim and Cynthia. I applauded Karon's way of communicating Christian values without hitting us over the head with them. I always leave Mitford a little more aware and a little more kindly disposed toward my own neighbors. If only we could create such a community in the real world.

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great trip to Mitford June 20, 2002

By Dianna Setterfield

Format:Paperback

It had been over a year since I read the first Mitford book, so I figured it was time to take another visit. I will admit I wasn't too excited about reading Mitford #2 because I knew there wouldn't be much action in the story. However, after about 50 pages or so in A Light in the Window, I realized what I was missing. I was finally home once again...

This second installment is chock-full of happenings. We have recent widower, Edith Mallory, setting her eyes (and hands) on Father Tim; a mysterious Irish cousin who comes to stay in the rectory for questionable reasons; and we meet a new character, Buck Leeper, the hardened, unpleasant building supervisor hired to build Mitford's new nursing home. But the most important part of this book is Father Tim's growing feelings toward his neighbor, Cynthia, and his struggle to accept them, be happy, and let nature take its course. And naturally, Cynthia has a word or two to say about that!

I enjoyed A Light in the Window much better than the first one. I found myself reading this novel until the wee hours of the morning because I couldn't get enough of the characters or heartwarming storylines. No action, no plot twists, no shocking endings -- but I simply didn't care. Jan Karon has a way of telling a story that makes all those other page-turning qualities seem unimportant. Mitford is a home away from home, a fictitious account of REAL life, and a place where I will look forward to visiting in the books to come.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Book 2 of a wonderful, heartwarming series April 30, 2000

By Jackie Tortorella VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I have zoomed through the first 4 Mitford books and am now midway through the 5th. The characters grab you and transport you to a town where I think, deep down, we would all like to call home. Father Tim is a "real" person with very human characteristics. Yet his basic goodness will restore your faith in humanity. The theology is not shoved down your throat, but rather is grasped between the lines. All the characters are memorable. Cynthia and Dooley in particular help shape the wonderful story line. The huge dog, Barnabus, who is disciplined only by hearing Bible verse, worms his way into your heart. I am so glad I discovered this series, and I recommend it to absolutely anyone!

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a peaceful read!! October 8, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I am totally engrossed in this series. I have already purchased the next two available. My first thought in reading this series is what a peacful feeling it leaves with me. It's an easy read and a welcome change from the violence and depressing thoughts prevailing in so many of the books today.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Turn all worries over to God, even the little stuff, Funny, August 20, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This book is a lesson in everyday life. It teaches us to honnor the difference in people not shy away from them. It teaches acceptance with a smile. Relates to my life in so many ways. Wish I could turn everything, including my selfwill and a sick dog, over to God and have the patients to wait for an answer. Wonderfully sweet and I feel after reading all 5 books that I have another family that lives in Mitford and I would dearly love to go visit them. Wish I had a friend like Miss Sadie, all full of wisdom and starch. A blessing to read and hopefull retain.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mitford series January 22, 2001

By Stephen C. Jusko

Format:Hardcover

I saw a program advertised that a librarian friend of mine was doing on the Mitford series. I couldn't go, but remembered the series when looking for a new book. The store only had the first in the series. I bought it and was hooked within an hour. I have read all her books about Father Tim and am so enchanted and yes, addicted! I passed mine on to my daughter who is now rationing her reading to make them last longer! I ordered a set for a gift, but am seriously thinking of not giving them away. Will pre-order her next book due out in April of 2001. These books are wonderful gifts for any age. Everyone I have talked to has loved them.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Light In The Window (The Mitford Years) May 28, 2004

By Cornwoman

Format:Paperback

I must confess that I had seen the Mitford series of books in the stores and never even picked one up. So it wasn't until I received the first book in the series as a gift that I discovered what a treasure this series of books are! After reading the first one, I could hardly wait to read the second....third...etc, and I wasn't disappointed. If you're looking for the action and high drama of something like the Left Behind series or a John Grisham novel, this may not be to your taste. But it has a sweet, gentle and wonderful quality to it that makes you not only like the characters, but to love them as well. There *is* action and drama, but it has a gentleness and "next-door neighborly-ness" that makes it so easy to relate to. My only disappointment is that I have read all of the books in the series, and given them to others to enjoy so I can't go "visit" the characters in them again!