Rating: 
Summary: Speaks to me directly...
Review: I passed up this book one day, because although I own every Mitford book, I was feeling broke, and the large margins and abundance of white space on each page just ticked me off. But then a friend asked to borrow it, and was so upset that I hadn't pre-ordered the darn thing that I went and bought it. I didn't read it right away. But on the week I chose to read it, I got to some advice from Father Tim that was a specific and perfect answer to my prayers and struggles of that week. In addition, it was just as familiar, fresh, and faith-filled as I expect from Jan Karon, and I'm very glad I broke down and paid full price. A wonderful addition to the series.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the better books
Review: Some of Jan Karon's books are too short. This one was just right. It kept me intertained for three days (in my spare time). I really enjoyed it since it was about Christmas surprises. A fun read.
MJ
Rating:
Summary: Jan Karon has done it again
Review: I have read all the books and have listened to the tapes narrated by John McDonough and have been completely captivated. Although I thoroughly enjoyed reading the books, I enjoyed the audiocassettes read by Mr. Mc Donough even more than the books. He gives Father Tim and all the other characters in the book a life of their own. I have recommended this series to anyone who would like to have a good clean look at life in a small town. I even bought a set for my elderly mother-in-law and she got a real kick out of listening. I wait in utter anticipation for the next book. I have just completed Shepherds Abiding. It did not disappoint me in the least.
Rating:
Summary: An Enjoyable Read for Any Time of the Year
Review: The Mitford books have served up slices of small town life now for more than a half a dozen years, and as the well-loved series winds down, Jan Karon focuses this full-sized novel, SHEPHERDS ABIDING, on "the most wonderful time of the year" --- Christmas.Miford lovers know that the plot of the books is not the point; rather, it's the enjoyable escape into the daily exploits of the Mitford characters that keeps the pages turning. This latest installment is no exception. The narrative revolves around Father Tim's restoration of an old, battered nativity set, which he hopes to complete for his wife Cynthia as a surprise for Christmas. As he painstakingly sands the plaster figures, uncovering their natural beauty, he also uncovers a surprising talent for working creatively with his hands. When a nativity piece must be discarded because it is damaged beyond repair, Father Tim also discards some of his fondest dreams for the future --- and creates some new ones. The restoration of the figures becomes symbolic of Father Tim's personal restoration as he enjoys his retirement. "He felt a happy contentment flowing up in him, as a spring from a hidden source," Karen writes. Meanwhile, Cynthia is busy with her own Christmas surprise, which will offer Father Tim some consolation after a desolating accident. There's something especially endearing about the late-in-life love between Father Tim and Cynthia, who are aging well, yet aging nonetheless. With poignancy, Father Tim discovers that one of the gifts of growing old is recapturing lost memories. He finds himself reminiscing about past Christmases with his mother and father, and remembering the lonely and imaginative child that he had been. Some tender recollections of his indifferent father also resurface. A solid underpinning of hope anchors all of the Mitford novels, and the hope SHEPHERDS ABIDING offers seems to be that the last part of life is to be anticipated. But this is no serious Christmas tale. As with all of the Mitford novels, there's plenty of gentle humor. "Just think! All that misery over taxes," Cynthia observes of the holy family's journey to Bethlehem. Father Tim answers, "Some things never change." And indeed, in some ways, life hasn't changed much in Mitford, although the characters are older and their circumstances are a little different. Dooley Barlowe is away at university, and Louella Baxter Marshall is at Hope House retirement center, baking biscuits and ordering her Christmas presents online. Uncle Billy and Rose Watson exemplify committed love in the face of hardship. The search continues for Dooley's missing little brother Kenny, which will likely be wrapped up in the last book of the series. A few changes are afoot. The Grill is closing, and there's a light shining through the windows above the Happy Endings bookstore, now the home of its new owner. Puny is pregnant with twins --- again. However, there is a sense that the series is winding down, and the Mitford years are drawing toward a gentle close. After bringing more than 15 million copies of Karon's books to readers, Viking will publish THE MITFORD COOKBOOK AND KITCHEN READER next year; then the last novel in the Mitford series, LIGHT FROM HEAVEN, in 2005. The endearing nature of SHEPHERDS ABIDING, as with other Mitford titles, is that you find a point of connection to all its characters. Father Tim is the pastor you've always wanted; Uncle Billy and his aging wife Rose are the eccentric elderly relatives the family jokes about but loves; Hope is the single gal everyone is rooting for to find a guy who deserves her; and Dooley is that kid who came from bad circumstances, but you know has promise. Through Karon's eyes, Mitford is really our town --- like Andy Griffith's Mayberry, it is full of homespun wisdom plunked down with enough subtlety to make it palatable, but still obvious enough that we don't miss it. Readers should find SHEPHERDS ABIDING a peaceful entrée into the Christmas season, and an enjoyable read all year round. --- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
Rating:
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
Rating:
Summary: A True Spiritual Read!
Review: The eighth novel in the bestselling Mitford Years is a meditation on the best of all presents-the gift of one's heart. Lovingly written and beautifully illustrated, it seeks to restore the true Christmas spirit and give everyone a seat at Mitford's holiday table. Since he was a boy growing up in Mississippi, Father Tim has lived what he calls "the life of the mind." Except for cooking, gardening, and washing his dog, he never learned to savor the work of his hands. And then he finds a derelict nativity scene, including a flock of sheep, that has suffered the indignities of time and neglect. The question is, can he give this assembly new life? Restore the camel's ear, repaint every piece, replace an angel's missing wing? "You can't teach an old dog new tricks," he reminds himself. Besides, it's his wife who's the artist in the family. Then he imagines the excitement in Cynthia's eyes, and steps up to the plate, beginning a small journey of faith that touches the hearts of everyone around him.
Rating:
Summary: Shepherds Abiding
Review: This is a marvelous Christmas story which includes many of our friends from the previous Mitford books. I particularly enjoyed the lack of tension and strife in Father Tim's life in this book. Yes, he's busy and nearly overwhelmed, but the deep unhappiness he experiences in so many of the other books is wonderfully lacking in this one, making it my favorite.
Rating: 
Summary: Sorely Disappointing
Review: After reading the previous books(the first 3 more than once), it was w/ much anticipation that I ordered this. Too much time has passed between the release of new editions to the series, therefore it's easy to forget parts. Also, not much substance or plot to this one and the print was so big, I didn't even need my glasses! It felt like a drawn-out 'Esther's Gift'. Lots of foreshadowing of things to come, but nothing ever does.
Since Karon is coming out w/a cookbook in 2004, it's easy to see where the recipes will come from (orange marmalade cake, risotto, tea-room menu. Gee, I'll bet there will even be a section for diabetics!) I feel scammed and definitely will wait to check out the last installment from the library.
Rating:
Summary: Magically Wonderful
Review: Again Jan Karon does a terrific job. I probably enjoyed this book even more than the others and that is hard to believe. They bring me peace and comfort. I have read all of them over and over and try hard to pattern my life and my thoughts after Father Tim & Cynthia. I really hope that she will write more on Father Tim instead of what I hear is the last of the series coming out soon.
Rating:
Summary: Best Book Yet By J.K.!!!!
Review: I don't know how Jan Karon keeps topping her last book, but she does. Her characters are incredibly real. Many of her characters are like old, familiar friends...Buy the book!!! It's better than you imagine. If you're like me, you'll also enjoy Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices. I have also reviewed that book on Amazon.
| 
