Rating: 
Summary: Where's the plot?
Review: I seem to remember hearing that a book had to have some tension in order to have a plot. If this is the case--At Home in Mitford has no plot. Several members of my family recommended this series to me. They were all in the 60-plus demographic--could that account for our differing opinions? I wouldn't recommend this series to anyone. The characters are one-dimensional and barely discernible from one another. The writing is simplistic and unimaginative. And as I have mentioned, the plot is nonexistent. I won't be reading anymore about Mitford--well except if I need a good sleep aid...
Rating: 
Summary: GOOD MEDICINE
Review: When I read the book, I was at a time in my life when I needed a lift from being depressed. This book was the answer. I laughed and cried and was impressed by some of Father Tim's comments. The comments were exactly what I needed to hear. I have shared the books with others and they also have enjoyed them.
Rating:
Summary: A Heartwarming experience
Review: I should admit that I have started this book with a strong doubt, and hesitated to like it until it was nearly the middle of it. The characters, the town, the events, too good to be true at times, yet, deeper than expected, heartwarming and full of hope and goodness. Being a non-Christian, I was surprised to find myself to relate to Tim, his values, and his spirituality, as well as admire his quickness and warmth. It was a wonderful escape I looked forward to, everynight.
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Summary: At Home in Mitford/ The Mitford Series
Review: My neighbor recommended this series to me. I never imagined when I began with At Home in Mitford that I would become attached to the little town. I became upset with myself that I had purchased Book 1 by itself. I found myself wanting to go straight to the next one. I purchased Books 2 and 3 together so I didn't have to wait to go on. I only hate that I have completed the series. I passed the books on to my mother who quickly completed the series and passed it on to her neighbor, then my sister (who I never thought would enjoy this type of writing), who in turn passed it to her mother-in-law. Everyone I know who has read these books has thoroughly enjoyed them. The books brought great comfort to me and created inner peace in a way I never experienced before. I hope that Jan will soon add to the series and I look forward to collecting the Mitford Village when it becomes available.
Rating:
Summary: I went from thinking it was corny to loving it.
Review: I had never heard of the Mitford books until they were mentioned by some elderly ladies in my book group. I resisted reading the first one because I thought it would be corny. It seemed that way at first, but the more I read the more I cared about the characters. I'm almost finished with the second book and the next two are waiting on my bedside table. I've become teary eyed quite a few times over the various characters. These are the first novels I've ever read that caused me to stop and pray. When Father Tim has prayed with some of the characters, it made me think about things I wanted to pray for. I'm enjoying these books as much as I did the James Herriot books.
Rating: 
Summary: Forget St. Louis, Meet Me in MITFORD!
Review: I must admit that it took me until I was nearly halfway finished with this book before submitting to its charms! At first it was seemingly too "cozy" and "gentle," but just like Father Tim often muses about Mitford - there is much more depth and drama beneath the surface. I urge everyone to stick it through the halfway point because if you do, you will find yourself transported to a world that will warm your heart. Fr. Tim's goodness and compassion is inspiring - his quirky foibles and mishaps are amusing - and his unexpected romantic yearnings for his lovely next-door neighbor are very endearing. Cynthia (the object of Tim's affection) is another likeable character whom I also wanted as a friend! This book is filled with all kinds of adventures, misadventures, interesting characters, and tender moments. If you took CHRISTY, OUR TOWN, "Columbo," ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL, and "Boys Town" and put them all in a blender, you would end up with AT HOME IN MITFORD! It's a refreshing and good-natured treat in the midst of a too-often disappointing world. I'm looking forward to reading the next three books in the series.
Rating:
Summary: A delightful excape from life
Review: At first I thought I was not going to finish this book because it seemed so saccharine, but I admit, like other readers, I was drawn into it and began to care for the characters, enough to want to find out more about them and their adventures. One thought: why did the author introduce "villains", e.g., Father Tim's father, only as figures in the deep past. Was she unable to deal with such characters in her book's "present"? I guess I'll pass up the other books in the series--unless I get very sick and just want to totally escape from the full range of life's experiences.
Rating: 
Summary: a very sweet book
Review: At first, I did not want to read this book because my mom recomended it and my mom and I have different tastes when it comes to literature. But she insisted that I read it, so I did. I loved the book. It is a nice escape after a hectic day. I have just started on the 3rd book of the series. I've had a yearning to visit a small town in the mountains since I have started reading these books.
Rating:
Summary: Good for What Ails Us
Review: I began reading The Mitford Years first with mild pleasure, then skepticism, and at last, full-throttle enthusiasm. Yes, Mitford is a romantic ideal. Towns like this surely exist, but most of us don't live in them. We live in cities or suburbs besieged by traffic, development, crime, and dysfunctional or anonymous neighbors. Mitford is a welcome vacation, and that's exactly the perspective that allowed me to enjoy the series whole-heartedly. I've read my share of dark fiction, and I believe such writing has something important to show us, but why do we tend to treat the negative stuff as "real" literature and dismiss inspiring fiction as fluff? What's more, few novels include characters who participate in organized religion, and if they do, they are portrayed either as charicatures, zealots, or angst-ridden doubters who finally must reject their religious beliefs. Only rarely do we encounter characters who seem to weave their religious beliefs almost seamlessly into daily life. Even if I don't live in Mitford, I do know many, many people who would fit right in, and I like to think they would enjoy a Mitford vacation as much as I have.
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Summary: I want to move to Mitford if Father Tim is there.
Review: The best way to "read" this series is to listen to the "Recorded Books' unabridged version read by John McDonough. He brings Mitford alive, and helps you to truly hear and fall in love with the characters. What might be tedious in reading is to be savored when listening to them.
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