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Summary: A STORY OF HOPE BEAUTIFULLY READ
Review: Gifted performer John McDonough presents a warm, sympathetic reading of Jan Karon's eighth novel in the Mitford series. These popular books have brought Father Tim into the hearts of millions - "Shepherds Abiding" will garner even more devoted fans.According to Ms. Karon her latest endeavor "doesn't tie up any serious threads or answer any of the Big Questions remaining in the series." It is, nonetheless, a touching reminder of what is important in life. Father Tim, by his own description, has been a thinker rather than a doer for all of his life. For him, even during a pleasant boyhood in Mississippi, he's not had an interest in working with this hands. That may change. To his surprise he finds a nativity scene that is much the worse for wear. The twenty figures, including animals, are all in sad condition. Would it be possible, he wonders, for him to restore the figures to their original wholeness and luster? What, he also wonders, would his wife Cynthia think of all this? Listeners will respond to this oasis of hope and tranquility during our too-busy holiday season. - Gail Cooke
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Summary: Another Wonderful Mitford Book
Review: Everyone will love this inspiring book. This author never fails to deliver a winner. I have all her books and bought this one the moment it appeared in the bookstores. This Christmas I will buy the entire series for family members to keep and enjoy and share. Thank you Jan Karon for this early Christmas gift to the world from you. The characters in this book are so real. I agree fully with all the other reviews - it was far too short - we want more and more of this series. No matter what church you attend or what your philosphy of life is, you will relate to the town of Mitford and its cast of characters. Father Tim is like a trusted comfortable friend. Words cannot express my admiration for this author and her insights. This is a book you want to go back to and memorize some parts, underline passages, and just apply the nuggets of wisdom to your own life. I strongly recommend this book - it is food for the soul - makes you feel happy inside.
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Summary: Somewhere you would want to live yourself
Review: LOVED this book and am currently reading the Mitford series and would highly recommend it, living in the south this book reminds of the little towns that we drive through and the people in the book are very down to earth but not without there problems so they are easy to relate to and father Tim is very human and east to relate to, it makes you realize that the clergy are just as human as we are.
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Summary: Perspective
Review: The encouragement and peace I enjoy most when reading a Mitford story are all here in Shepherds Abiding. I have not been disappointed with the length of the book as some of the other reviewers. Instead I have been thrilled because I have been comparing the length of this holiday season release with the two previous holiday books by Jan Karon, Mitford Snowmen and Esther's Gift. Several months ago I understood that there would be one final novel in the Mitford Series--and I believe that is still the case with release projected for 2005, and so considered the release of Sheperds Abiding a wonderful surprise. It is a wonderful reflection on the holiday season.
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Summary: A trip to Mitford is always worth the read.
Review: Although I, too, was disappointed at the shorter book, I always find it enjoyable to sit down with Jan Karon's delightful cast of characters. I had been hoping for a more in-depth story that would take us further along in Father Tim's journey and explore more of the story lines that have been hinted at in past installments of the Mitford series. For example, will Father Tim find Kenny, the last missing Barlowe sibling? And when will Dooley discover that he is a millionaire? But we will have to wait until the final book to find out the answers to these questions. What I did find in Shepherds Abiding was a book very similar to A Common Life. While not as in-depth, the story gave us a better look into the thoughts and personalities of other residents of Mitford. We have only known Hope Winchester and Lew Boyd on a fairly superficial level up until now, and it was wonderful to get more insight into their lives and, particularly, their spiritual journeys. However, I did miss some of the characters that generally play a bigger role, such as Dooley and Cynthia. Nothing terribly exciting or dramatic happens in Shepherds Abiding. But that's never the case with life in Mitford - it's the characters and walking with them through the ups and downs of everyday life that give Jan Karon's books their charm.
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Summary: An early Christmas present
Review: Jan Karon's latest offering is a sparkling Christmas card and a celebration of the deeper meaning of the Advent season. The story revolves around Father Tim's efforts at restoring an old Nativity scene as a surprise for Cynthia's Christmas and also includes flashbacks into his own Christmases growing up in Mississippi. All the beloved Mitford characters are here -- each celebrating in their own way. I loved the way Ms. Karon further explored the story of Hope and Scott, and Uncle Billy's attempts to come up with Rose's Christmas gift were a joy. She has also laid the groundwork for some of the events that might happen in the next and final book of the "Mitford" series -- and oh, how I hate to see it end! My only complaint about this book, and it's a tiny one, is that I wish it had been longer. I hated to turn the last page and finish this book! However, I plan to reread it during the actual Advent season, and I think it will enrich my own celebration. Thanks, Jan Karon, for another wonderful book! You have blessed my life with this entire series.
Rating: 
Summary: Charming but disappointing
Review: I've been a Jan Karon fan since the beginning and enjoyed most of her books, but find the early editions much more entertaining and inspiring. I love the characters, but wished there could be more insights, a broadening of their character. I find the new Dosetville series by Katherine Valentine much richer fare.
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Summary: Not enough substance
Review: I am truly a fan of Jan Karon but this book was a disappointment to me. Too much of the same thing. Too much of Father Tim's diabetes (we all know he has it) and not enough about the young people. I want to know what Dooley is doing and also Lace and somehow the other child needs to be found. But I had a feeling this was written just to fill up pages. I reread all the Mitford Series every January and saved this one till last and found it shallow compared to the previous books.
Hopefully the next one will tie up the loose ends of what is happening to all.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I was disappointed in this book, and was glad I waited to check it out from the library rather than buy it. I was expecting a lot more than I got. It was nothing more than a long drawn out version of the smaller Christmas books, Esther's Gift, and The Mitford Snowmen. I believe the author could've done more to develope the characters-Dooley Barlowe was barely even mentioned-
It was a charming little Christmas story-which does warm the heart, but leaves a lot wanting. I'm hoping the final book will be back up to the standard I've grown to love in the rest of the series.
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Summary: Thankful for Goodness
Review: In the writing business it's said that there are no new stories, which is obviously true. The talent to write about human nature that reflects divine love, however, is rare. I believe such talent is a gift that Jan Karon possesses. "Shepherds Abiding" is a true evergreen because it will, I pray, never be out-of-style. Jan Karon's refreshingly non-commercial approach to the "Christmas" story warms my soul! I recommend it, and all of her Mitford books, to anyone whose spirit yearns for genuine decency and a world where people care about each other.
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