Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed that this was disappointing!
Review: I love Mitford.I love Jan Karon's writing. I love every one of the characters in the town she has created. But I didn't love this book - and that's disappointing. I was looking forward to another few hours in the company of Mitford happenings, and found, instead, a brief coffee break. For true Mitford fans, that just isn't enough. I hope that the last book in the series will be full, and complete, and engrwossing, and satisfying. Anything less than that just doesn't do the town - or the characters - justice.
Rating: 
Summary: And they'll abide a little longer if it's a book they await
Review: Karon's latest book achieves the length of a novel only through the grace of wide margins and generous line spacing; its content would barely sustain a short story. A long-time Mitford series fan, I was severely disappointed in this latest installment: Karon presents us with nothing more than a vague, breezy update on some of the village's inhabitants - no depth of character or emotion; no real turmoil or triumph; no spiritual insight or inspiration. And precious little plot to boot. The book gives new meaning to the phrase "painted with a broad brush;" indeed, Karon seems to have employed a roller. If you're a fan of the series, do yourself a favor and pass this one by.
Rating: 
Summary: "I Love To Tell the Story" Continues in this Series
Review: At the heart of this latest addition to the Mitford Series is a strong faith in the Christ Child of Christmas Nativities the worldwide. Ms. Karon writes from a depth of faith lived out in her writing that relates and touches the soul deep within its readers. And we thank God for her and it!Emmanuel (God with us) is prominent in this latest book. From His workings in Father Tim and Cynthia to the other characters, this Holy Child of Bethlehem takes His place at the center of all adoration and praise and thanks as His story is retold through the heartbreaks and gifts given and received in this small Carolina place and time. A small wish that she would have stuck with the Biblical way of salvation, not a saving prayer inviting Christ into hearts, but believe in the Christmas story and what it brought into the world, Our Savior, Redeemer Lord! In her identifying style the author makes this gracious Lord's outpourings burst forth in its radiance and magnificence in the characters' lives. What this reader found attractive and new in this work was the continuing flashbacks Tim has of his youth and father and abiding around the barn as a shepherd, to the ending of Tommy's receiving the same 2-wheels! Great, touching stuff! As the rest, will anxiously await the next and final installment. This will certainly become a classic to be shared, given and treasured. All praise and glory to the gracious Christ Child!
Rating: 
Summary: The delightful miniseries continues
Review: I have religiously followed this wonderful series from the start and have so enjoyed the relaxed and genuine nature of these books. When I opened this one before I bought it - I noticed that the formatting (indentations, spaces and margins) had reduced the number of words on each page so that the book would be quite short. Sometimes this attempt by a publisher to create space and have a reader buy a book for more than it's worth would somewhat enrage me. However, this is gentle Mitford after all and Jan Karon's books never fail to deliver an eloquent story so I bought the book anyway. The restoration of the 19th century creche is a lovely metaphor for the process of the advent season and I always love how Jan Karon develops each character with dialogues and thoughts. The set up for the very final book is bittersweet and I look forward to reading the final chapter with a heavy heart because I will miss these characters. It's truly a lovely story. If it hadn't been for the reduction in substance I would surely have given it five stars.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful break from the Christmas rush
Review: What a wonderful story - this truly isn't a novel in the usual sense of the word but it's a wonderful story full of life and the happenings in Mitford. Ms. Karon continues her chronicle of Mitford. I truly feel like I know these people and I care about them. I just wish that there were many more books to come. This would make a wonderful Christmas gift and it is a stand alone story so you don't have to have read the previous books but it will certainly make you wish you had.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I am terribly disappointed by Shepherds Abiding. Maybe my expectations were too high. I was expecting a novel in the series and got another like The Common Life. But even more so, the writing was not at all up to Ms Karon's standards. There were throwaway references to the usual cast of characters. The description of a big event in the lives of two of the minor characters had no life to it, and Percy and Velma's retirement seemed flat. There was no verve to this book, and I'm surprised at Ms Karon. I wish I hadn't bougtht the book.
Rating:
Summary: Christmas in Mitford
Review: This book is another charming installment in the Mitford series. It is similar to "A Common Life" in that it is more of a novella rather than a substantial novel like the others in the series. Nevertheless, it is a great read. The story is nice and most all of the regular Mitford characters are included. While I certainly wish the book had been longer, every visit to the town of Mitford is a pleasure!
Rating:
Summary: Sheperds Abiding
Review: What a wonderful surprise! I wasn't expecting an 8th book in the well-loved Mitford Series. "Sheperds Abiding" is a truly lovely story that makes you feel warm all over. I'm packing my bags and moving to Mitford!!
Rating:
Summary: I love to "visit" Mitford!
Review: I loved Shepherds Abiding, just as I have loved all of the Mitford novels. They're so sweet and refreshing. If you're into sex and violence, you probably won't like the Mitford novels. But if you would like a relaxing little trip to a town kind of like Mayberry, you'll love Mitford. I recommend reading them all IN ORDER. I'll be sad when Jan Karon writes the last one.
Rating:
Summary: Welcome home ...
Review: Another great book in the Mitford series. Reading it was like coming home. Karon's writing delightfully expresses the warm feelings of a close-knit community that only exists inside her excellent books. I recommend you read the others in the series before reading this book.
I took one star away because the technical aspects of her dialog can leave the reader puzzled at times as to who is talking. Plus, there are references to events in previous books that are not entirely explained in this book; these are fine for readers who have read and remember, but are frustrating to those who have not read the others or cannot recall. I read these books aloud to seniors and we're constantly struggling with these two issues.
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