Rating: 
Summary: Harmony is funny again!
Review: After reading "Just Shy of Harmony", where Gulley takes the story into more serious and sometimes borderline sacreligious ground, "Christmas in Harmony" hits the mark readers/fans of "Home to Harmony" would expect. Yes, it's short, but it only covers the few weeks of Christmas preparation his little parish are to endure. Laugh-out-loud funny in places and reflective in others, Gulley has another winner in this little gem. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Inaccurately compared to Karon's Mitford series
Review: Amazon, bookstores, and readers on this site often compare the Harmony series to the Mitford series by Jan Karon. I think the comparison is misguided. Certainly there are obvious similarities; but Gulley's stories have a crucial difference. Mitford, while idealized, is supposed to be a plausibly realistic place, with realistic people. Gulley, on the other hand, cannot keep himself from lapsing constantly into hyperbole for comic effect (sort of like Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon stories). This becomes apparent in just the first few pages of this book: Would a local beauty queen, asked to dress in a bathrobe to portray Mary in a Christmas pageant, really wear a revealing negligee? And would the church allow the pageant to proceed if she did? Would a church board member seriously propose that the church obtain W-2s of prospective members to evaluate their potential financial contributions? In both cases, of course not.
Don't get me wrong -- I agree with other reviewers that the book is funny. It's just a different kind of book from Karon's; hers are gentle humor within a realistic framework, while Gulley's emphasize humor (sometimes to the point of wackiness) over realism.
Rating: 
Summary: Harmony is such a wonderful home,
Review: and this book is a great read for the holidays. A nice, short easy Christmas story, but still the same warm, wonderful small town we have grown to love. Being a pastor is a lot of work and tiring as we read in this book. All the parishoners provide lots of laughs and insights. Mr Gulley provides us with a wonderful story, without foul language and a few holiday messages. Pick up this book, you won't be sorry. One of those you will want to read every holiday season thereafter.
Rating:
Summary: funny read and a sure Christmas classic...
Review: Great little story of how the residents of Harmony get carried away and organize a Progressive Living Nativity. It's a hoot. My first reading by Gulley and not my last. Wonderful gift book!
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious
Review: I don't have too much to say about this book except that it is hilarious. I read Home Town Tales a couple of years ago, and I have since read all of Mr. Gulley's books except one. I have cracked up over every one of them. I read this one in a day because it kept me laughing so much. I am patiently awaiting another of Mr. Gulley's fabulous books. I am on Amazon right now to order a copy for my pastor because I think he would really get a kick out of it.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious
Review: Just finished reading this book in one sitting. The flow and writing were easy to follow, taking the reader from one emotion to the other - the simplier ways of life, the five and dime, Santa, family gatherings. The best part of the book was the part where "Sam" read the Christmas story to "Frank". Thus going back to the original tradition that the church has observed for years. Let's not forget about Dale Hinshaw, every small town has someone like him. A likeable character although somewhat misguided. Philip Gulley makes him to appear almost humanlike, along with the other characters in his book. Once you read one of his books, you can't wait until the next one is published. Although only a layman on book reviews, I give this book an extremely high rating. It is rare that a book touches me enough to laugh and cry at the same time. It is an excellent Christmas gift to give anyone - young or old.
Rating:
Summary: Christmas in Harmony
Review: Just finished reading this book in one sitting. The flow and writing were easy to follow, taking the reader from one emotion to the other - the simplier ways of life, the five and dime, Santa, family gatherings. The best part of the book was the part where "Sam" read the Christmas story to "Frank". Thus going back to the original tradition that the church has observed for years. Let's not forget about Dale Hinshaw, every small town has someone like him. A likeable character although somewhat misguided. Philip Gulley makes him to appear almost humanlike, along with the other characters in his book. Once you read one of his books, you can't wait until the next one is published. Although only a layman on book reviews, I give this book an extremely high rating. It is rare that a book touches me enough to laugh and cry at the same time. It is an excellent Christmas gift to give anyone - young or old.
Rating:
Summary: Funny and Heartwarming!
Review: Philip Gulley won me over with his first Harmony book, "Home to Harmony." His character development and wonderful sense of humor bring the people in his books alive. I was quite surprised when I found that this book was only 84 pages long! But that is good for a Christmas book, as you can read it in one sitting. Anyone who has been a member of a church can find someone to indentify with or knows someone in their church like Dale Hinshaw! I laughed out loud more than once, but the best part of the book was the ending.......very heartwarming, touching and made a tear roll down my cheek.
Rating:
Summary: Inaccurately compared to Karon's Mitford series
Review: Philip Gulley won me over with his first Harmony book, "Home to Harmony." His character development and wonderful sense of humor bring the people in his books alive. I was quite surprised when I found that this book was only 84 pages long! But that is good for a Christmas book, as you can read it in one sitting. Anyone who has been a member of a church can find someone to indentify with or knows someone in their church like Dale Hinshaw! I laughed out loud more than once, but the best part of the book was the ending.......very heartwarming, touching and made a tear roll down my cheek.
Rating:
Summary: Funny and Heartwarming!
Review: Philip Gulley won me over with his first Harmony book, "Home to Harmony." His character development and wonderful sense of humor bring the people in his books alive. I was quite surprised when I found that this book was only 84 pages long! But that is good for a Christmas book, as you can read it in one sitting. Anyone who has been a member of a church can find someone to indentify with or knows someone in their church like Dale Hinshaw! I laughed out loud more than once, but the best part of the book was the ending.......very heartwarming, touching and made a tear roll down my cheek.
|
