Customer Reviews

A New Song (The Mitford Years, Book 5)

5 star:		(131)
4 star:		(30)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Mitford books, and now a Whitecap book, have been a surprising and wonderful stroll through a different layer of life than most people experience -- or at least take note of. A New Song continues a great tradition. Everybody knew from the beginning who took the bronze statue, but it was a very moving chapter when it was resolved, even if one is a little dumbfounded that Fr. Tim didn't figure out who took it. My questions: So is it in bk 6 or 7 that Lace and Dooley make it to the altar? Will Dooley's birth father be there? Will Buck punch him out? Will Morris be the organist? Will Fr. Tim be there, or will he (or Cynthia) have gone home (could we stand the poignancy)? Thanks for the great and fresh spiritual writing, Jan Karon. And thanks even more to my own mother, for sharing this series with me.

Having always been a homebody, I identified right away with Father Tim & Cynthia when they left their precious Mitford to go to Whitecap. What an adventure they had. I enjoyed every sentence of this book. Are there really people like Father Tim and Cynthia in this world? How I wish I could be their friend and neighbor. I gleaned scriptural knowledge and human knowledge from all of Jan's Mitford books. The ending of"A New Song" has me baffled indeed. Who is the man in the pearly white shirt? Could it be an angel perhaps? I will sit and sleep restlessly waiting for Jan's next book.

This book was recommended by a friend and from the first page I was hooked. I moved right along with the rector and his wife and loved their new parish and missed their old one even though I hadn't met the folks in Mitford. I felt like I had been a part of their lives since the beginning. Ms. Karon draws you into the goings on and by the books end you want to know more about your friends.

Father Tim was wonderful in the latest book; I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although I missed the town of Mitford and all its characters, I came to enjoy the island community of Whitecap too. The characters at the book and bait shop were ALMOST as enjoyable as those at Percy's Main Street Grill. Barnabus' romps continued to thrill the dog lover in me. I, like many other readers, am awed by the ending. I don't quite know what to make of it at this point.....guess I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book to explain it all. All in all, a great read that, as always, leaves one waiting for 'more from Mitford'

A New Song continues the delightful travel through the rest of their lives of Fr. Tim and Cynthia Kavanaugh. Those who think that the cryptic ending indicates that Fr. Tim has gone home to the Lord are in error. At least the author says so in several interviews I have read. "Why would I do that?", she asks. The next book is to be the story of their wedding. This was passed over rather quickly in an earlier book, but now we will get to attend. Moving to the coast of N. Carolina from the mountains to be the interim priest at St. John's, Fr. Tim find a church and a community much in need of him and God's healing grace. I won't detail all of the new characters or what has happened to some of the Mitford people. Buy it, enyoy it, and savor the wisdom and insight that it contains.

I just finished reading "A New Song," and actually finished up the entire Mitford series in sequence. I received the first two books for Christmas and ended up getting the other three for myself because I liked the first two so much!

I was hooked on this series from the first chapter. Father Tim, Cynthia, and the entire towns of Mitford (and Whitecap Island in "A New Song") captured my heart. I love Father Tim's ability to get involved with this parishioner's lives and Cynthia's spunk and sense of humor. Even the pets (Barnabas and Violet) were well-drawn in this series, and Dooley Barlowe was a delight!

Whitecap Island isn't Mitford; however, and I did miss the fact this book wasn't set in Mitford. However, with phone calls and issues of the "Mitford Muse" I was able to stay in touch with the home folks of Mitford right along with Father Tim! I loved the way Junior's, Morris', and the Tolsons' problems were resolved in this book. And these are just a few of the unforgettable characters Ms. Karon has created -- all her books are full of them.

I was truly sorry to turn the last page and finish this book (and the series). I can't wait for "A Common Life" to come out in April! I'll definitely be buying it, and I'll definitely revisit the "Mitford" series, because once isn't enough to read this wonderful set of books. What a refreshing change they were, and what a wonderful way to spend the winter!

Here's hoping Jan Karon continues to add many more books to this series. Since "A Common Life" backtracks a little bit, I'm still wondering if Dooley's two lost brothers will be found, and I'm curious about what Helene Pringle will end up doing. And what WAS in that ivory envelope Father Tim gave her?

Keep them coming, Ms. Karon!

Another great book by Jan Karon. The entire Mitford series is well worth the time and energy to read. I fell in love with the great new set of characters in Jan's new book. As usual, Father Tim is his loveable, human self. He laughs, he cries, he falls down, and he gets right back up and keeps his head and heart to the tasks at hand. I can't wait for the next one!

This series is a delightful look at a parish priest and all his adventures and misadventures. At times you will laugh,other times feel his pain as he ministers to his sheep. It is fun to watch as a confirmed bachelor fumbles his way and finds love that both delights and surprises him. I have read and re-read all the books in this series and never tire of it. If you looking for a gift for someone who will have hours of entertaining reading this series is a must. I look forward to further books from this author who has captured the hearts of readers everywhere.

Jan Karon's books are a breath of fresh air! I came from a small town in Long Island, much like Mitford, but we didn't have a pastor like Mitford had. The church members and town folks were similar. His talking to God the way one would talk to a friend at all times, in all places, has led me to do the same thing. I sat on a bench today and watched the shoppers hurry by. Little did they know that I was praying for them. It felt wonderful. I've read the 5 books in the series and feel any book I pick up now will pale in comparason. If you're looking for a Christmas present, Amazon.com has these books in stock. Hurry and order before they run out. What a pleasure to read this series. No sex, no violence, no cursing, Mitford is another world, one full of humor, love, kindness, a reachable God, and a great big ole dog named Barnabas!

I read all of A New Song on a long and I mean looooong airplane flight. (The kind of trip in which flight attendants start ignoring passengers after the first eight hours.) The audio track broke except for a loop playing old Michael Jackson tunes. The video machine conked out after seat belt fastening instructions. No movies! Disaster! EXCEPT FOR ME! I pulled A NEW SONG out of my pocket and it sang to me! So here I am reading this book and smiling...the hours drag on and I am STILL smiling...The food is terrible and I am happy. Passengers start going nuts because they have no movies to watch and who can sleep with that 3 year old kid screaming and listening to Michael Jackson is unthinkable. But here I am with my latest Jan Karon novel! I can still laugh out loud after nine hours of this torment. At thirteen hours I'm hoping the flight will last a little longer. We are put in a holding pattern for an hour and twelve minutes over London. I rejoice! It is A genuine Father Tim miracle!(What? Can this be? Someone actually having fun on the long haul from hell?) Weeping passengers staggering toward the lavatory line stop to stare at me in wonder! They see A HAPPY LADY READING A GREAT BOOK! In conclusion, if you're going on a long trip never mind your American Express card. Just don't forget to bring your latest Jan Karon novel! A NEW SONG! Don't leave home without it!