A Common Life: The Wedding Story (Beloved Mitford, No. 6)

Rating:
Summary: Good Short Story
Review: This would have made a good short story or,better yet, the last chapter of book #2 or the first chapter of book #3. I had looked forward to the next Mitford book, but was disappointed. Her publishers must have made her publish a new book before she was ready. Her previous book finished with sort of a cliffhanger, and I had assumed the next book would pick up there. Hopefully, Ms. Karon will spend more time on her next book.

Rating:
Summary: Dissapointed
Review: I have been hooked in Mitford since book one. I could hardly wait for the books to come out. I felt the same about A common Life. I was the first one at the store to buy it. As I sat down to read it I was so dissapointed. The book was short and had no interesting story lines. We all knew that they were going to get married. I expected more.

Rating:
Summary: Faithful Readers Have Been "Had"
Review: Shame on Jan Karon, AND her money-hungry publishers! I am appalled that an author who KNOWS she has such a following would stoop so low as to wring every penny out of her readers. Hell, I myself could have written this book! I certainly expected more from Ms. Karon.

Rating:
Summary: Not Up to Ms. Karon's Usual Standards
Review: I am a huge fan of the Mitford series, but this latest entry is a real disappointment. Rather than carrying the story of Father Tim and his wife, Cynthia, forward, this book is a return to the story of their wedding. After reading this slight effort, I came to the conclusion it was written more for its marketing than its literary value. I think Ms. Karon wants this book to become a stand-alone gift book for weddings, much like the Dr. Seuss book on age is a perennial best-seller as a graduation gift. But if you aren't already a fan of the series, this book won't mean anything, and if you are a fan of the series, this book is a disappointment. If Ms. Karon wanted to write a wedding book, why didn't she write about Dooly's wedding and move the story along? Not her best effort.

Rating:
Summary: A Common Life of Love
Review: Although it very much helps to be familiar with the characters. This book is a very pleasant meditation on love and marriage. It also fills in a gap in the story in which Karon skipped right over the much anticipated wedding. It is a delightful book.

Rating:
Summary: A Common Life Reveals a Common Problem
Review: This is NOT a book. It is a novella at best and as that, it is not that bad. The type setting and such stretched this out a bit in size, but if it had been printed as a real book it would have been thin indeed. The writing is just ok...those of us who have loved the Mitford Series have been waiting so long for this litle window on their world that we lapped it up without too much complaint until we realized we had been had. We loved to have our characters back and we laughed and cried at the few things of interest that occur, but at "the end of the day" as people like to say these days, we are left with the thought that Jan Karon is out of ideas with the people that made the Mitford series great. This should have been in the fourth book and would have taken two chapters. To publish it as a long awaited 6th book at full book prices is an insult to her readers. I hope we will look at the 7th book that she is obligated to by contract with a lot more caution. Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

Rating:
Summary: A little disapointed
Review: I too was hoping for a longer story but it was after all, just supposed to be about Cynthia and Tim's wedding. I did enjoy reading how each of the townspeople prepared for their part in the wedding, even if they were just part of the congregation. I hope the next book in the Mitford series will be back to its usual length and style.

Rating:
Summary: Karen fails Father Tim and his readers
Review: Having read the first book of the Mitford Series in 24 hours and the next four within two weeks, I preordered "The Wedding Story" months in advance. What a disappointment!! It appears that Ms. Karon has succombed to money and making her publishers happy by pumping out a book rehashing old topics and leaving the reader wanting. Her advertisement at the end regarding a book of Father Tim's favorite quotes further fuels the impression that she's on a capitalistic turn rather than a literary one. PLEASE give us more of the good father and his adventures!!

Rating:
Summary: PUBLISHER FOR SHAME FOR SHAME
Review: The characters we love are the same. The story is weaker than those in the previous five books. Jan Karon must be exhausted. Clearly the book was influenced by the publisher....

Rating:
Summary: The Amazing Jan Karon!!!!!
Review: She did it again!!! Jan Karon wrote another wonderful book full of humor and inspiration and without any immoral trash. I also loved being filled in on the wedding. Thank you Jan for your faith and for rising above the filth that is in so many books. Father Tim is such a lovable character, I can't wait for the next one!