A Common Life : The Wedding Story (The Mitford Years)

Rating:
Summary: I feel cheated!
Review: I have loved the Mitford books and eagerly awaited the latest one. It arrived today and I've already read it!! I have the feeling that Jan Karon felt pressured to come out with another book but didn't want to spend the time to really develop a plot, so she simply rehashed what we've already read. The story of the proposal, the wedding plans and the wedding are sweet and it's nice to revisit the familiar characters, but I felt she churned out something with the least amount of effort possible just to get it done. I was ready to learn more about the lives of all the people we've come to know and love and what they're doing now, not going back and devoting a whole book (I say that with a wink) because this book is more like a short story. Frankly, I'm disappointed and I feel cheated.

Rating:
Summary: A lovely novella!
Review: Jan Karon did a wonderful job of tying this novella into her series of Mitford books. I loved reading about how romance had found its way into the lives of so many of the other characters, as they recollected their own loves and romances. I also believe that the main characters of Father Tim and Cynthia were developed even further, as Jan Karon gave us a glimpse of their deepest fears and hesitations even as they celebrated and anticipated their wedding day. I started crying around about page 67 and didn't really stop until the end, and the reading of it only took a couple of hours. This book was never touted as a continuation of the series, but rather a novella and an additional joyous piece of Mitford. I'm looking forward to the cookbook!

Rating:
Summary: What a Letdown!
Review: The Mitford books have affected my life in such a positive way, and I felt somewhat cheated after finishing this book a day after starting it. There was little plot, and while the character insights were nice to read, there was nothing to hang on to, nothing to go back to time and time again like every other Mitford book. I've read the series many times over the years when I'm feeling down or needed to be inspired, and this is one volume I'll skip in the future.

Rating:
Summary: A Common Life
Review: Was looking forward to the release of this book. At first I was confused. Why would Jan Karon re-do the wedding like it never happened? I found "A Common Life" by Jan Karon very disappointing.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I had eagerly anticipated the arrival of this book, having been totally captivated by the characters of the previous five books in the series. However, I was bitterly disappointed to find that the book did not continue the series, but rather went into full detail of the proposal, wedding and honeymoon of Father Tim and Cynthia. I do hope that the author will eventually get back to the story and I do not anticipate buying the two books coming out this fall("Father Tim's Favorite Quotes" and "The Mitford Snowmen: A Christmas Story" unless one of them actually continues the story of these most beloved characters. I do, however, highly recommend the first five books in the Mitford series.

Rating:
Summary: Give this book a chance!
Review: To enjoy Jan Karon's writing, you have to be somewhat of a romantic at heart or at least believe that a place like Mitford could exist. To enjoy her latest "A Common Life" you have to believe in the fun and excitement of a small-town wedding, and the love of two people pledged to marry. This book would make a great gift for a bride, and Jan Karon has done a good job of helping the first-time reader feel welcome in Mitford. For those who love Mitford, this book fills in the gaps between Father Tim and Cynthia. Just enjoy this book for what it is: an affirmation of true love and marriage, and a pleasant visit to Mitford! I too look forward to the next installment of the Mitford series, but I am glad that Jan Karon went back to fill in the wedding story details.

Rating:
Summary: Much too short!
Review: I too read this in one sitting. It was more of a short story than a novel. Ms. Karon's other books ran 350-400 pages. This was a mere 180 with HUGE margins. I was very disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: No digressing please...
Review: I thought the story was readable, for it did fill in the blanks in reference to "their wedding" but go to your local libray to get in on this read. The story was much too short, especially for the purchasing price. I would much preferred to have had the author continue with the series picking up where the 5th book left off. Ms. Karon is a wonderful writer and this series of books have been a very favorite of mine. Please Ms. Karon, don't stop writing about this wonderful family and group of people...just please go forward taking all of us along on their wonderful journey, as you have in the past.

Rating:
Summary: Where's The Beef????
Review: I was so looking forward to reading this book, even though I knew it was not the next one in the series. I knew it was to be a book about the wedding, but I am really disappointed and surprised at the 'lack' of story. I have to agree with fellow reviewers; the short pages and the margins make it appear as a 'short story' rather than a book. For the price, it is very deceiving!! You can easily read the book in a little over an hour's time. Although, it was nice to be with old friends again (Father Tim, Cynthia, Dooley, Emma, Uncle Billy and Rose, etc.), they only appear in very minor ways. I want my Mitford friends back! I want the strange ending of A New Song wrapped up and let's go home to Mitford for the next adventure in the series. This book seemed like it was just written on a whim without much thought put into it. I'm a huge Mitford fan and have loved every book in the series; I am really disappointed in this one.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I read this book in about an hour and a half. The story added little to developing the wonderful characters I've come to love through the other books. The book seemed to be just a quickie fill in.