Rating: 
Summary: Thank- you Jan Karon!
Review: You have given us just a taste for a bit more. After finding myself immersed in the first 5 books of the Mitford series this book filled in a part of the story that I truly feel I missed out on. Written as an episodic adventure, we find out the circumstances behind the proposal and marriage of Father Tim to Cynthia. Karon, with her loving touch has also given us a glimpse of characters that we have long since grieved for in the earlier novels. It was a joy to have them back in the world of Mitford even if only for this book. Though shorter than the original books, it is written with the same warmth and grace that we have come to know from this author. From the moment I started chapter one I had a huge grin on my face with every page I turned. I do wish we had been privy to the reception since I am greedy for any time spent in Mitford. The last chapter, spent on their honeymoon in Maine and entitled, "The Beginning" more than solidifies the idyllic love that these two people share. Again I say, Thank-you Jan Karon. Kelsana 4/29/01
Rating: 
Summary: A sad disappointment
Review: Like many others, I, too, was terribly disappointed with Jan Karon's latest episode from wonderful Mitford. I did want to read about wedding trials, tribulations and joys of Father Tim and Cynthia, but found a lot of white space and fluff instead. And I also found a glaring mistake. When the second novel ended with the publishing of the banns for the couple, the Main Street Grill had been forced to close due to rot in the basement. Ms. Karon seems to have forgotten this as the Grill was going strong as A Common Life begins. It would not have been open again for two months. Shame on the editors and on Ms. Karon for missing this important detail.
Rating:
Summary: From Extraordinary to "Common"
Review: A Common Life was just that - nothing extraordinary here. I was so eager to have this next book that I purchased it without doing my homework. All the reviewers who expressed disappointment were correct - this looks like Jan Karon sold out. She wrote a short, quick, easy story (the plot was already crafted in a previous novel), just to get the income. Though I had been eagerly awaiting the next in the series, I would certainly have waited longer for a quality book. If you are compelled to read it - at least wait for the paperback, this book is not worth it. What a shame!
Rating: 
Summary: DISAPPOINTED, CONFUSED AND A LITTLE MIFFED TOO!
Review: Okay, I know this book was promoted as a short novel about the wedding but what was the point in writing it in the first place? If Jan Karon wanted to write about the wedding then this should have been the third book. Most of us Mitford fans were looking forward to a continuation of the story and this is not it. In my opinion, this book was disappointing, shallow and seemed to be just a way to get another book out there for us to buy. I hope Jan gets back on track and continues the story ( the next two books don't sound too promising either- Father Tim's quotations and hymns and the Mitford Snowmen? What snowmen ( never mind, I don't really care ) just get on with the story. PLEASE!
Rating: 
Summary: Better a novella
Review: It was nice to get invited to the wedding. I was always sorry it was skipped over. Yes - it could have been a longer book. Yes - the margins are rather wide. But it was a lot of fun to hear all the details about the flowers and food and people. So if you arent a die - hard fan, you might want to wait and read a library copy, or borrow it from a friend.
Rating:
Summary: Hugely Disappointing...Don't Bother
Review: With the use of maximum margins and a large font the minimal content of this book is nothing but fluff. I'm a big fan of the series but would rather have waited for an addition with some substance.
Rating: 
Summary: Short but lovely
Review: Like many others, I would love to have every Mitford book be 1,000 pages long. That is not the case with this one, but, for me, that didn't substantially detract from the pleasure I received from reading it. Once I realized that the book was more of a "story behind the story," I was able to relax and just enjoy Karon's writing and the feeling of seeing old friends again. I also liked the glimpses she gives us into the personal lives of some of the more minor characters via their reminiscences. Yes, look forward to the next book, but don't discount this one.
Rating:
Summary: Charming
Review: At first I was a little confused when I began this book, because I was expecting book six. Hey, why are we going backwards?! Once I got into it, it turned out to be a very nice read, especially if you were dying to know what happened at the wedding. Short but sweet (I read it in a little over an hour, but I'm fast) Karon once again showed her talent for touching our hearts with universal emotions.
Rating:
Summary: good book, but expensive
Review: I knew what the book was going to be about, and did enjoy the story, but felt that for $20+ list price, it was rather expensive for such a small book. (Yes, the graphics were beautiful, but I'd rather have had a smaller price tag and less artwork.) If I could, I'd give it 4 stars for story and 1 for value for money.
Rating:
Summary: A Common Lie, The Wanting Story by Jan Karon
Review: There is nothing really new in this tale of a wedding. Readers of the Mitford series are well versed in the storyline. Well, there is one thing new ... I've never seen such an abudance of blank space on the pages of any book, about 25 lines per page. The pages are 5.75 in. across and the print covers 3.75 in. That's 35% of nothing - in addition to the double spacing. Maybe the book is supposed to be poetry, but it certainly isn't tree-friendly. Good-by Viking Press and Jan Karon, enjoy your money while it lasts.
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