Jan Karon

What the fuck. Sigh. I was iffy about the first one because of how saccharine it was, but would have given it a higher rating than the 2 stars I gave it if not for Rose.

It's one thing to show compassion to someone with mental illness. But enabling them is another thing, which is what Mitford does to Rose. And it's alarming because in the first book, Rose showed some clear patterns of narcissism and abusive behavior. She keeps her husband financially dependent on her and refuses to share her show more enormous wealth with him. She burned his artwork years ago (or told him she did) because he ate the last of the pickle relish. Despite her wealth, she won't even buy food for him - he pretty much has to live off the generosity of the town. And by the time of the events of the first book, he's pretty old (60s or 70s) so he can't just leave her and support himself (not once is he even said to be on Social Security or anything) because he has pretty bad arthritis (to the point where he can't even draw/make art anymore)

So in this book - I will admit I only read the Kindle sample and was so disgusted I couldn't go on further) the dumb cunt now thinks she's a traffic cop and is trying to control the traffic in the downtown area while wearing ridiculous shit like party hats. And when the local merchants complain about the disruption this is causing to tourists/traffic, the mayor shuts them down, because "this town takes care of its own"

Again - there is a difference between compassion and enabling, and if I had a neighbor who treated their partner the way Rose treated her husband, I would certainly be having words with them.

The author seems to have a double standard when it comes to bad behavior. If the roles between Bill and Rose were reversed, I think a lot more people would more easily recognize/admit that the behavior is abusive.

The double standard is further evinced in the character of Edith Mallory, a widow who would flirt with others while her husband was still alive, and is now pursuing Father Tim despite his efforts to rebuff her advances. If the roles were reversed, we'd be calling the man a predator. But since it's a widow, her constant advances - which make Tim alarmed and uncomfortable - are apparently awwwwwwright.

No. Just, no.

GODDAMNIT, NO. FUCK THIS SHIT. show less

My Beloved - J.Karon
4 stars

I was surprised to see another Mitford book. It was a treat to revisit the town and the characters. The book takes place at least 3 years after the last book. There have been some changes, but the overall comfort of the characters and the community remained. This story is set during Advent with small chapters dropping in on all the usual Mitford inhabitants. There’s a loose plot device around Father Tim’s missing Christmas letter to Cynthia. The misplaced show more letter meanders through the village creating a series of amusing events while providing some thoughtful relationship fodder.

I have a real fondness for the Mitford books. Years ago when I read the first book, I immediately bought a copy for my mother. I felt that Jan Karon had written about Father Tim and his community with my mother in mind. Mom wasn’t much of a reader. It was a point of mild disagreement with us, (or major disagreement when I was a teen.) I think she regarded reading as a lazy, nonproductive way to spend time. Whereas I have to be pried away from a good book when I’m captivated with it. I can't think of a better way to spend my time. So, I have happy memories of sharing the Mitford books with her. Mitford was common ground for us. We both enjoyed our reading visits.

Mitford is an antidote for challenging times. Many of Karon’s characters are thankful survivors of very hard times. The book left me with a bit more optimism that we will all muddle through somehow. The added bonus is that I feel like I’ve also had a visit with my mother. show less

What next? Even though he firmly believes God has a plan, Timothy Kavanagh is struggling to be patient and wait to see what it is. He’s been retired for five years but is still uncomfortable with the lack of structure in his life. It isn’t enough to be surrounded by people he loves and who love him. He wants to continue serving. How?

As usual, his friends and neighbors in the fictional town of Mitford, North Carolina give him plenty to deal with along with lots of laughs. He and his wife show more Cynthia are enjoying the growth of their adopted son Dooley, while trying to cope with his brother Sammy who is having trouble adapting to small town life after leaving his abusive father. Hope Murphy, the owner of Happy Endings book store, is dealing with a health problem Lord’s Chapel is facing a scandal and the Mitford Muse is asking “Does Mitford Still Take Care of its Own?”

I was thrilled to receive this book as part of the Library Thing Early Reviewers program. I’ve been reading the Mitford books since a friend mentioned them to me and I’ve loved them all. It’s all about the writing for me because that encompasses everything: plot, setting and character development. Jan Karon excels at portraying the quirky characters without condescension, while at the same time making me laugh at their antics. I also love the way she honors Father Tim’s faith while exploring his doubts. She portrays a wonderful sense of place. These stories feel as though they couldn’t be written anywhere else but in the North Carolina Mountains.

This is definitely a winner! show less

After spending the past couple years in library school, newly employed at a rather stressful job, and being exhausted from having read dozens of books representing the hottest themes in literature today (young adult dystopian fantasies, mostly), I picked up this book hoping for a rest. I was overjoyed to find exactly that. The chapters are short enough to read over a 30 minute lunch break, which suited by lifestyle at the time perfectly. I couldn't wait to get a moment to pick up my latest show more Mitford book and see what the cast of characters was up to. It was a total escape from my hectic life, and just what I needed. I loved the series so much that I bought several of the books in audio format and listened to them a second time in my car. So relaxing and soul-soothing.

At Home in Mitford is the first in the series, and, not to disappoint, but it is the best of the series to my mind. The other books are all wonderful, too, but just getting to know the main character, Father Tim, as well as the cast of eclectic town residents and the town itself, is the most satisfying part of the series to me. I've no doubt I will return to read this book again whenever I need to escape from reality. show less