Customer Reviews

Signs and Wonders : A Harmony Novel

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I really enjoyed Signs and Wonders. I discovered Philip Gulley about a year ago, and have been hooked ever since. His Harmony series is a wonderful collection of small town ancedotes and home spun tales. The characters are true to life: you'll find a Dale Hinshaw or Sam Gardner in every town across America. His true to life stories are filled with sentiment for the easier days, and a love of God.

The only thing that really turned me off this book was Dale Hinshaw. In the previous Harmony novels, he was a likable dolt. Now, to me anyway, he seemed like a bigot. He was preaching and yelling and just not accepting anyone opinions but his own. It was annoying and by the end of the novel he really started to grate on my nerves. In Home To Harmony and Just Shy of Harmony, he was a person who always seemed to learn a lesson by the end of the novel, finally coming to understand something regarding religion and life. In Signs and Wonders, he seemed ignorant and rude and generally annoying.

Other than that it was wonderful to meet up with the characters again. I really want to see Deena meet a guy, almost as bad as the Friendly Women's Circle, and seeing Harvey accept his son's lifestyle and love him for it was nice. Gulley didn't try to press the issue of homosexuality, never saying whether it was wrong or right, but he did stress that love was important, and that was what I enjoyed. He really had a bigger lesson in this novel.

There were plenty of funny moments in the novel too: the pumpkin toss and the Furnace Committee and other moments. Overall, another great book by Gulley. I look forward to hearing more stories from the simple, welcoming town of Harmony, Indiana.

This had to be my favorite "Harmony" book by Phillip Gulley! I laughed out loud in several places. This is a book of FICTION and it pokes fun at various aspects of a typical congregation, from the well-meaning but misguided people who judge others more harshly than themselves to those who truly do have Jesus in their hearts, but are overpowered by the strong voices of other church members. Poor Deena Morrison is still single, and everyone is trying to marry her off! Dale Hinshaw now has his "scripture balloons" sailing off to convert the heathens in Chicago, and Sam's wife wants the vacation she's never had. Oh, and then there's the replacement of the "memorial oven" in the kitchen where the annual Chicken Noodle Dinner is made! I hope Phillip Gulley continues to write about Harmony and it's inhabitants!

I have loved all of the previous Gulley books, but this one was not as good as the others, due mostly to the preaching on so-called "bad theology" by Phillip Gulley. He seems to be determined to "put down" fundamentalist Christians, but in a sort of cutesy, condescending manner, which is grating. He used a translation of a very well known scripture on the last page of the book (that I have been unable to find in any of the several translations of the Bible to which I have access) which waters down the message considerably. I am sensing a smugness in the writing which was not so evident in the last books, which is unfortunate, because what has made the other books so wonderful was the honesty and openness and non-judgementalism towards Christians.

Every Phillip Gulley book is like traveling back home. The characters make me laugh, cry and give me hope that I, too, will make it through the next bump in the road. These books remind me of the Dorsetville series by Katherine Valentine. Keep them coming!

Once again Philip Gulley delivers an awesome book. If you have been a fan of his previous writings, you absolutely must read this book. Signs and Wonders will keep you laughing out loud at the zany characters in Harmony.

Dale Hinshaw is back with another of his crazy schemes to evangelize to the Democrats. Harvey Muldock makes a false step and even Pastor's wife, Barbara gets into the action this time.

If you enjoy a visit to Harmony, please read this book. You will not be disappointed.

If Sam was my pastor, I'd be a regular church goer. All of the Harmony books are warm, touching and hilariously funny without being the slightest bit sugar-coated. Sam and his flock are real people with all their foibles. I've known people like every one of Mr. Gulley's characters Sometimes I want to shake them; sometimes I want to hug them. Mostly they make me laugh till my sides hurt; sometimes they make me cry.

I bought this book for my local library because it was the only one in the series they didn't already own, and I KNEW that other people reading the books would be disappointed if this one wasn't available. I hope I brightened someone else's day by giving the book as much as reading the book brightened my day.

It doesn't get better than this.

Pastor Sam Gardner is back with his quirky Quaker flock. As usual Dale Hinshaw is full of schemes to spread the Gospel. This time he has given up on Scripture eggs and is now sending Salvation Balloons which are strategically aimed at liberals and unsaved people. Sam encounters problems in his own household when he and his wife can't agree on a vacation spot and the parishioners argue over everything from putting in a new furnace to who to include in the ladies' celebrity quilt. With his usual gentle humor, Philip Gulley brings to life the colorful and quirky characters of Harmony, Indiana, much to the readers' delight!

All of the Phillip Gulley series are delightful to read. The story line hits close to home with the characters ...we can all identify with the characters .

I bought this for my wife - she loves this series. She adored this book and laughed non-stop. Anyone looking for a clean, gentle, thought provoking read should buy this book. The gospel ballons are hilarious.

Not worth the money or time to read. After reading Jan Karon' this is author is shallow and an imitation of a true novel.