Almost Friends: A Harmony Novel (Harmony Novels) (Hardcover)

by Philip Gulley (Author)
Key Phrases: woman pastor, school bonds, woman minister, Dale Hinshaw, Fern Hampton, Ruth Marshal (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Perhaps no author can spin a good smalltown church tale as humorously as Gulley, who has been justly compared to Garrison Keillor for his dry wit. This latest installment in the Harmony, Ind., series is no exception, and it's populated with the characters that series aficionados have come to appreciate. A storm is brewing in Harmony, and pastor Sam Gardner, although on sabbatical, is right in the center of it. Caught in the controversy is seminary student Krista Riley, who is filling in for Sam and rumored to be gay. Leading the charge against her is Dale Hinshaw and spinster Fern Hampton, two members of Harmony Friends whose controlling ways will be recognizable to anyone who ever attended a small church. As the conflict heats up, Sam, battling jealousy over Krista's popularity with some church members (and in fear of losing his job) initially fails to stand up for his interim minister. Gulley's strong message about gay acceptance in the church may feel didactic to more conservative Christians looking for a good story, but is in keeping with the message of tolerance found in his previous books. Occasionally, a character is overdrawn, but this is nonetheless a delightful return to Harmony. (July)
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Review
"No author can spin a good smalltown church tale as humorously as Gulley." (Publishers Weekly )

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (June 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006075656X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060756567
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #496,955 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real attention-getter!, July 10, 2006

By	K. R. Rubaker (New Wilmington, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Almost Friends: A Harmony Novel" captured my attention from the first page to the last. I laughed out loud, I contemplated the deep truths presented by Gulley's familiar cast of characters, I met a new friend in "Krista," and I finished this book a better person than when I began. Gulley's gifted writing inspires me to reconsider many long held beliefs in light of a growing faith and realization of God's unconditional love. I've only owned this book for a week and I've already lent it out twice...much the to delight of those to whom I've lent it!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but a little sobering this time, July 7, 2006

By	D. Griewski "Gulley fan" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In the next installment of the people of Harmony, Philip Gulley stretches his artistic ability by accurately expressing the doubts and disillusionment Sam Gardner feels as his parishoners stretch him to the breaking point, and as Sam's father is struck with a severe illness. Not as laugh-out-loud funny as some of his other books, Almost Friends, with gentle, stirring humor guides the reader through some serious situations, as well as brings its reader to the frustration point as Fern and Dale join forces to not only oust Sam from his position, but also the person, Krista, who takes over in his absence. As usual, Gulley brings to life the characters in his book so that you think you are reading about the neighbor next door ~ as seems what many of these fictional characters have become to those who now anxiously look forward to the goings on in Harmony, and in the lives of Sam and Barbara Gardner.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great inspiring stories, let down of an ending, July 14, 2006

By	Christina Lockstein "http://christysbookblog.... (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Almost Friends by Phillip Gulley is the next book in the Harmony Friends series. This series has been marked by ups and downs, suffering most when Gulley writes in 3rd person rather than 1st, but it's always been an enjoyable read. I recognize so many people in my church in the stories Gulley tells about his church. The tales of a small town church are heart-warming and laugh out loud funny, but in this installment, Gulley writes with an agenda. When Sam's father suffers a heart attack, he takes a sabbatical from preaching at Harmony Friends. The church hires a young interim pastor, Krista Reily, who inspires with her preaching and even heals the sick! Soon Sam is jealous of Krista's success and wonders about the security of his job. Of course Fern and Dale have to mess everything up. This series does best when telling God's truths through quiet stories of faith in the real world. This story forces the issue of homosexuality into the small town of Harmony, and while that's an issue that many churches are facing today, Gulley portrays it as a black or white issue with the "bad guys" in town on one side and anyone with common sense on the other. That's not how the issue plays out in the real world, and I think that Gulley tries to make the issue too cut and dried in forcing a solution. This isn't an easy issue, and Gulley shouldn't try to make it out to be.