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Summary: A "Down Home Trip" for Me!
Review: I loved this book! I have lived in Kentucky for quite some time and love the "small town" feeling. I really picked up the same atmosphere in the book. The problems that we all struggle with from time to time was shown but in a rather milder way. This book was "right at my doorsteps!" I recommend it!
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Summary: It touched me . . .
Review: To respond to the critics: Maybe the margins ARE too wide. Maybe the print IS larger than before, but, this Father Tim/Mitford story touched me as much as any in the past.
Maybe it's because of the holidays, but I thought Hope's storyline was terrific. I was pulling for her and her wonderful dream. I loved that Uncle Billy was able to give his wife something very special from "Santy". It was so true-to-character that Father Tim rescued a neglected nativity scene and put so much pride and work into its restoration. I was surprised to find tears in my eyes at the end ... and now ... as I'm writing this revew. Karon knows how to build up to a slam dunk "defining moment"! I understand there's only one more book in the series. Kudos to Karon for sharing her faith and her sweet, gentle fiction with a world that sorely needs good things. Enjoy!
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.
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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: 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.
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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Summary: A TREAT!!
Review: As a Jan Karon fan, I was delighted by this bonus of a book since I had heard there was to be just one more book in the series. It is longer than the previous Christmas books and shorter than some of the earlier books in the series. There illustrations on the insides of the covers are lovely.
The book does assume that you know most of the characters from previous books, but it is a heart-warming story with a surprising addition to Father Tiom's usual activites. Certainly, we would be challenged & improved by trying such a complicated project in later life.
A great story to read with holiday music in the background after a chaleenging day of Christmas chores. It is a great way to center on the real message of Christmas.
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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!
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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: 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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