Customer Reviews

Shepherds Abiding (The Mitford Years, Book 8)

5 star:		(65)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I picked up the newest installment in the Mitford series from my church library. Yes, the margins are pushed in and yes I wished for more...but I was blessed with what was there. The story of Father Tim's Christmas was exactly what I needed. It is a story of faith, faith in doing what you didn't imagine you could do, faith in hoping for something you never dreamed of having, and faith in the simplicity of the lives of our Mitford family. The book is setting the stage for the end of the series where we may see the conclusion of all the loose threads, will Kenny be found, will Father Tim and Cynthia travel to Ireland, will Dooley stay a Barlowe or become a Kavanagh...these are worth waiting for, in detail and in depth.

To get to enjoy Christmas in Mitford makes this book worth my time to enjoy the story. But most of all it gave me faith when I needed to replenish my soul.

The encouragement and peace I enjoy most when reading a Mitford story are all here in Shepherds Abiding. I have not been disappointed with the length of the book as some of the other reviewers. Instead I have been thrilled because I have been comparing the length of this holiday season release with the two previous holiday books by Jan Karon, Mitford Snowmen and Esther's Gift. Several months ago I understood that there would be one final novel in the Mitford Series--and I believe that is still the case with release projected for 2005, and so considered the release of Sheperds Abiding a wonderful surprise. It is a wonderful reflection on the holiday season.

Although I, too, was disappointed at the shorter book, I always find it enjoyable to sit down with Jan Karon's delightful cast of characters. I had been hoping for a more in-depth story that would take us further along in Father Tim's journey and explore more of the story lines that have been hinted at in past installments of the Mitford series. For example, will Father Tim find Kenny, the last missing Barlowe sibling? And when will Dooley discover that he is a millionaire? But we will have to wait until the final book to find out the answers to these questions.

What I did find in Shepherds Abiding was a book very similar to A Common Life. While not as in-depth, the story gave us a better look into the thoughts and personalities of other residents of Mitford. We have only known Hope Winchester and Lew Boyd on a fairly superficial level up until now, and it was wonderful to get more insight into their lives and, particularly, their spiritual journeys. However, I did miss some of the characters that generally play a bigger role, such as Dooley and Cynthia.

Nothing terribly exciting or dramatic happens in Shepherds Abiding. But that's never the case with life in Mitford - it's the characters and walking with them through the ups and downs of everyday life that give Jan Karon's books their charm.

Jan Karon's latest offering is a sparkling Christmas card and a celebration of the deeper meaning of the Advent season. The story revolves around Father Tim's efforts at restoring an old Nativity scene as a surprise for Cynthia's Christmas and also includes flashbacks into his own Christmases growing up in Mississippi. All the beloved Mitford characters are here -- each celebrating in their own way. I loved the way Ms. Karon further explored the story of Hope and Scott, and Uncle Billy's attempts to come up with Rose's Christmas gift were a joy. She has also laid the groundwork for some of the events that might happen in the next and final book of the "Mitford" series -- and oh, how I hate to see it end! My only complaint about this book, and it's a tiny one, is that I wish it had been longer. I hated to turn the last page and finish this book! However, I plan to reread it during the actual Advent season, and I think it will enrich my own celebration. Thanks, Jan Karon, for another wonderful book! You have blessed my life with this entire series.

Everyone will love this inspiring book. This author never fails to deliver a winner. I have all her books and bought this one the moment it appeared in the bookstores. This Christmas I will buy the entire series for family members to keep and enjoy and share. Thank you Jan Karon for this early Christmas gift to the world from you.

The characters in this book are so real. I agree fully with all the other reviews - it was far too short - we want more and more of this series. No matter what church you attend or what your philosphy of life is, you will relate to the town of Mitford and its cast of characters. Father Tim is like a trusted comfortable friend. Words cannot express my admiration for this author and her insights.

This is a book you want to go back to and memorize some parts, underline passages, and just apply the nuggets of wisdom to your own life.

I strongly recommend this book - it is food for the soul - makes you feel happy inside.

I had feared that this latest addition to the Mitford series would be another lightweight story like "A Common Life" (which I enjoyed, but which was really little more than a lengthy short story about Father Tim's & Cythia's wedding.)Although this book isn't the eagerly-awaited next full-length novel in the series, it is more than just a one-note Christmas story like "Esther's Gift." Several of the secondary characters like Hope Winchester and Lew Boyd have their stories fleshed out and carried forward quite a bit. There are also some other subplots involving beloved characters like the Moseleys and Uncle Billy, so that the primary story of Father Tim and his nativity set isn't the only thing going on. All in all, although I'm still anxiously awaiting the next "real" novel in the series, this was a pleasant surprise and worth the price (especially at the discounted rate!)

I loved Shepherds Abiding, just as I have loved all of the Mitford novels. They're so sweet and refreshing. If you're into sex and violence, you probably won't like the Mitford novels. But if you would like a relaxing little trip to a town kind of like Mayberry, you'll love Mitford. I recommend reading them all IN ORDER. I'll be sad when Jan Karon writes the last one.

This was a wonderful book. I have loved all of the Mitford books and this one, although it was short, was a great addition to the series. I liked how it dealt more with characters other than Father Tim and Cynthia. Her books always "revisit" the characters from past books and that helps to jog your memory.

It's an inspirational holiday story.

I can't wait for the next book to come out!

If you have enjoyed the Mitford series, you will certainly enjoy this one.

December is the perfect time to read this book and thanks to the generosity of a friend I was able to do so. As usual, Jan Karon's Mitford left me uplifted, mellow, smiling and wet eyed. She can do that and has been doing it now for some time.

I have read and loved the books leading up to this one except for "In this Mountain" which I perceived to be a novella and took the author to task for it in my review. However, then was then and now is now and Ms. Karon is back in fine form even though the book has been puffed up to 288 pages by the use of white space and narrow margins. However, I am even over that.

The author has a unique talent to take ordinary things and turn them into something endearing. If we lived in Mitford we might think it was boring and dull. But seen through Karon's eyes it is almost magical, a village where good things happen to good people and the story is always tied together by the scriptures.

She does it better than anyone and after reading it, I just folded the book in my lap and said out loud to no one in particular - "Merry Christmas." I'll bet you will too.

I read the reviews while waiting for this book to arrive. I was disappointed in what I read. When I got the book, I devoured it. I know it was short like A Common Life, but what a sweet thing for Timothy to do.. I am a Mitford addict, so I simply loved it!