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Summary: In "A New Song" I had to leave Mitford, which made me sad.
Review: "A New Song" is the last in the five-book series of the enchanting town and people of Mitford. However, "A New Song", for me, did not quite measure up to the previous four books. I think it was all psychological, because, although Jan Karon, as usual, outdid herself, I just didn't want to leave Mitford, and with "A New Song" I had to pack my bags and move away, along with the delightful Father Tim and his inimitable wife,Cynthia. Mitford had gotten under my skin, and I wanted to dwell there forever and ever. I wanted the fifth book to continue to be all about Mitford and its precious people. Anyway, I understand that there are two more books forthcoming in this exceptional series, and if this is true, I hope Jan Karon returns Father Tim, Cynthia, and me to Mitford permanently!
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Summary: The Best Book EVER!
Review: My first impression of these books by Jan Karon were not very high because my grandmother recommended them to me. But after a year of non-stop reading, I have concluded that this series is really the most interesting, inspiring witty collection that I've ever read. This book, "A New Song" is really special. I believe that even if you haven't read the other 4 books, you ought to read this one. It's too good to pass up! I loved it! It's not just an adult book, it's a book for people of all ages.
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Summary: What's Next?
Review: I have just finished "A New Song," the last of the Mitford Series, and what an enjoyable series it is!My only question is, "What's Next?" Amazon.com lists a new Karon book ("A Common Life : The Wedding Story") which will be available next spring, about the marriage of Father Tim and Cynthia. But that nice event has already taken place in an earlier book. When do we get a chance to buy the next in the series by author Karon about the future of the good people of Mitford and Whitecap? Hope it's not too long.
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Summary: Such a pleasant read.
Review: Karon's lovingly drawn characters continue to charm, and the change of scenery in this novel adds a little life to the series. Her narrative threads get away from her a bit in this installment, but it's still a wonderful read and I will look for the next one - they're especially great on the train. I also feel compelled to point out for the benefit of those who might be misled by others' remarks that I am a 30-year old attorney - and a non-Christian - and I still find much to enjoy in this entire series.
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Summary: my review
Review: Once again we meet our gold old friend, Father Tim with his wife, Cynthia. Only this time, he has been assigned as interim in a parish in an Island off the coast of North Carolina. It has been a real pleasure reading this book and reading once again about the comings and goings, not only in Mitford, but also in Whitecap Island. This author has the incredible talent of making you feel part of this communities. You laugh with their good fortunes and you cry with their sorrow. Once again, a plus and a great book to read!
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Summary: Mercilessly Market Researched
Review: This series has for me the same fascination as a gory highway accident transformed into a ride at Disney World. Karon has taken a cue from Miss Read, and from E. F. Benson before her, but has ruthlessly purged all the intelligence and wit from her models. In place of anything that might keep a Read or Benson reader reading, Karon has supplied a relentless spout of mild soap opera, and a cast of characters whom we are apparently supposed to consider to be loveable "Fools of God," but all of whom in fact come across as complete retards. Most retarded of all is the main character, an Episcopalian "rector" named Tim Kavanaugh. When good old Tim is not delivering staggeringly mindless sermonettes cribbed from Cokesbury tracts, he is cursing himself for his own stupidity, something the long-suffering reader has already done far more colorfully than ole Tim ever could. Tim's wife Cynthia is even more retarded than Tim, which one would consider impossible until one has read a few books in the series. In this latest book, Tim gets a double dose of soap opera as he is stuck on a storm-lashed island full of the usual Karon retards, while trying to keep track of what's going on with the original retards from Mitford, his headquarters in the first four novels. Note that although set in North Carolina, the books have no black characters (except for one token maid), no Jewish characters, not even any Catholic characters. There are not even any "furriners," the most furrin character having indetectable Italian ancestry. Every person in the novels is a good ole boy (or girl as the case may be), and they do love to read their bibles, except for one character per book that hates religion because of some childhood trauma. Needless to say, Father Tim bumbles around senselessly and offends the character even more, but by the last chapter that character is a convert and is babbling meaning-free and terrifyingly insane Christian jargon with all the other characters! What a guy! This 5th novel in the series even introduces one more character who apparently is black, but you'll rest easy knowing she is also a maid. As I say, the fascination of a highway accident, an Ed Wood movie, or a letter from an inmate of an insane asylum. Karon will become a millionaire many times over from these books, because they are perfectly pitched at a certain type of reader, the genteel careerless, cultureless southern female of about 45 - 75 years of unwise age.
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Summary: Number 5 : Number 1
Review: "A New Song" is my first Jan Karon novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was enthralled with Father Tim in both his role of priest and husband/father. He is a "dream come true." This novel, fifth in a series, will have me returning to the book store for the first four of the Mitford books. The final chapter of the book left me confused. If the new organist is indeed Morris, the author never developed the process taken to get Morris out of his reclusive ways. (A comment made by a child as the organist made his way to the altar convinces me that the man in the long-sleeved white shirt is Morris, but it could also have been Jeffrey since he had been described previously to have a habit of wearing long-sleeved white shirts.) I suppose that this "cliff hanger" is this author's way of leaving the door open for a next novel. We also have to have closure on the search for Dooley's other siblings as well as the court's final decision on Helene Pringle's claim to her inheritance. I look forward to novel #6, but not before I have read novels #1 though #4.
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Summary: Another Visit with Old Friends
Review: A visit to Mitford is like a breath of fresh air, a reacquaintance with old friends, and a renewal of faith all in one. After four previous books, Jan Karon has once again drawn us into the spell of the small town life that glows with love, life, and spirituality. This time, we not only get to catch up with all our old friends in Mitford, but we are introduced to another congregation of interesting and unforgettable characters. When Father Timothy and Cynthia go to a small island off the North Carolina coast, we become involved in the lives of another set of wonderful--and a few not so wonderful--people. Whitecap Island is as much a microcosm as is Mitford, and Father Tim assimilates the various levels of society so that a cast of colorful characters emerges and duly receives the blessings that seem to flow effortlessly from his loving ministry, not only to his own congregation, but to everyone in town. The coastal environment also conjures up visions of the sea and all its many faces, from blue and tranquil to gray and menacing as storms roll in that challenge anyone's faith or fears. The most abiding feature of any of the Mitford books, and this one in particular, is the easy spirituality that permeates the stories. As an Episcopal priest, Father Tim exudes his belief in a loving god who is accessible to all, and in his daily life and works, he challenges and influences all whose lives he touches. The quotations from the Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Episcopal Hymnal are inspiring and beautiful to the spirit. Overall, Father Tim's love and wisdom are a wealth to the readers whose lives also become filled to overflowing.
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Summary: Getting Better All The Time!
Review: It has been a long time since a series not in the fantasy genre has captivated my attention and imagination the way Ms. Karon's Mitford series has. As a former resident of WNC, I find her firsthand insight to the people, the region and the atmosphere to be right on the mark. I love the fact that I could step out of my own doorstep and see each and every character in the series as my friends and neighbors. Well Done! In A New Song, Ms. Karon continues the great thread she has begun and the shift of Fr. Tim and Cynthia to Whitecap from Mitford only adds fresh vitality to this series. The characters are solid, the dialog very real and the book moves from the very serious to the sublime. *the deep sea fishing trip was so funny, I had to put the book aside and surrender to a laughing fit....thank you for that! * If you have enjoyed Mitford up to now, then by all means read A New Song. I fervently hope that Ms. Karon continues to bring us the news from Mitford for some time to come.
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Summary: easy, breezy summer reading
Review: Unlike most of the other reviewers, this is my first Mitford book. I'll admit, I bought it because it seemed like a pleasant read and it was 50% off. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I could have done without the author's slight preachiness, but it *is* a book about a preacher, I suppose. It was a quick and easy read, with lots of memorable characters that make me look forward to the next installment. I found it difficult to forget adorable baby Jonathan. I wanted to comfort the tortured Morris. I guess the best way to describe A New Song is that it is cute. It paints a "cute" image of small-town USA.
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