A Common Life

The small town of Mitford prepares for one of the most important events in the townsfolk's memory when sixty-two-year-old Father Timothy Kavanagh announces his upcoming nuptials in A Common Life: The Wedding Story by author Jan Karon.

Although this is Book Six in the Mitford Years series, I would have read it after Book Two if I'd known it's a look back at a wedding that already took place but wasn't previously written about. No big deal though, since this short ChristFic novel (a novella?) was just the uplifting interlude I needed.

It isn't only a bride and groom story but a significant glimpse into the varied and layered lives of several people integral to the fabric of Mitford and to Father Tim's life. I expected some laugh-out-loud show more humor, folksy quirks, and a little matrimonial chaos—and there is! But knowing this author, I should have been better prepared for all the different perspectives and emotions that come so effortlessly yet profoundly off the page.

Not to mention the love story. Ah! Newness and worries and joys, wonderings and sheer wonder... Timothy and Cynthia have one of the most natural, believable, and intensely romantic relationships I've encountered in fiction. Their mature stage in life makes it all the more refreshing.

And honestly, lovey-dovey wedding scenes in novels tend to make me roll my eyes. So when I've instead got tears standing in my eyes during the exchanging of wedding vows in a story, the author's got a gift.

Yes, do read at least Books One and Two first to fully appreciate this substantive and beautiful tale. It's one of my favorite books of the series so far, so I'm glad the author "went back" and wrote it. show less

A Common Life is a step back chronologically in the Mitford series. It tells the story of Father Tim and Cynthia's wedding, from the proposal to the honeymoon. Now that the series is complete, readers have a choice between reading in chronological order and in publication order. I'm glad I'm reading in publication order, since this book allowed me to spend time with characters who passed away later in the series, and to remember just how much Dooley Barlowe has matured over the course of the series. If you're new to the series, this isn't the place to start. First get to know Father Tim, Cynthia, and the residents of Mitford in other books in the series, and then you'll be ready to celebrate with them.

A delightful short read - almost a novella in size - Karon takes a step back with this sixth installment to provide details of the wedding between Father Tim and Cynthia. If following story trajectory order, this book would probably have appeared between installments 3 and 4, but no matter. For me the favorite take-aways are the snapshots Karon provides of the various Mitford community members as news of the engagement and the wedding day play out. Karon obviously appreciates that people can get "territorial" about involvement in wedding planning activities, and that wedding guests can be prone to mind-wandering while all the "official" stuff takes place. Yes, the story does get a little sappy and does get a bit preachy but overall, it show more is all about the wedding, community and how even the best laid plans can encounter some unexpected hiccups. You just need to roll with them when they happen.

Overall, a delightful and quick read with a focus on the importance of the simple things in life. show less

I listened to this book while traveling home today. Priceless. I have read a couple of other of her books eons ago and I had forgotten just how good they are. The audio version is terrific. From now on, this is the only way I am going to enjoy the Mitford series. I hope no one was watching me while driving as I was laughing right out loud. This is the big wedding of Tim Cavanaugh, the beloved minister, to his next door neighbor Cynthia. I love it how the other town's people are drawn into the story.

I'm glad I skipped "ahead" to pick up this sixth book that fits chronologically between the second and third. It's sweet and revealing of all the feelings they have, including those of all the major characters in the town. Even Dooley was changed by singing a song he didn't particularly care for at their wedding.

Mitford's Lord's Chapel seats barely two hundred souls, yet millions of Jan Karon's fans will be there for the most joyful event in years: The wedding of Father Time Kavanagh and Cynthia Coppersmith. Here at last is A Common Life, and the long-awaited answers to these deeply probing questions: Will Father Time fall apart when he takes his vows? Will Cynthia make it to the church on time? Who'll arrange the flowers and bake the wedding cake? And will Uncle Billy's prayers for a great joke be answered in time for the reception?All the beloved Mitford characters will be there: Dooley Barlowe, Miss Sadie and Louella, Emma Newland, the mayor; in short, everybody who's anybody in the little town with the big heart.A Common Life is the perfect show more gift for Mother's Day, Father's Day, anniversaries, and for a bride or groom to give their beloved. In truth, it's perfect for anyone who believes in laughter, relies on hope, and celebrates love.Jan Karon says she writes "to give readers an extended family, and to applaud the extraordinary beauty of ordinary people living ordinary lives." show less

Jan Karon's Mitford Series books are all just delightful reading. She has created a community of amazingly interesting characters and a town setting that is warm and welcoming to the reader. Finally the star character, Father Tim is about to tie the knot. Will the artist bride, Cynthia, make it to the alter in time? There are so many little details of conversations, thoughts of characters and descriptive actions and settings that make this a memorable book and well worth reading again and again.