In This Mountain

It took me longer to warm up to this book than to any of the other books I've read so far in the Mitford series. I struggled to keep going through the first half of the book. It felt like a rerun of some of the earlier books in the series. For example, Father Tim's health was a major plot point in one of the earlier books in the series as well as in this book. Been there, done that.

I stuck with it and was rewarded by the last half of the book, which typifies what I love so much about this series. The characters resemble the people I encounter daily at work, at church, at the bank, at the mall. Their problems, both physical and spiritual, are realistic, and, just as in real life, they are not neatly resolved. Father Tim's struggle in show more this book to distinguish his will from God's will reminded me of this passage in Philippians:

Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Although the time frame for this books spans from spring to early fall, it turned out to be a timely read for the Thanksgiving season. Father Tim's sermon on I Thessalonians 5:18 is a wonderful meditation on thanksgiving in all circumstances. It's food for the soul. show less

A Mitford book is a palate cleanser in my steady diet of crime, murder and unsavory characters. In this installment, Father Tim has a bit of a crisis of faith as he struggles to find his path in retirement and deals with the consequences of some of his actions. Mitford fans won't be disappointed.

This one is probably my favorite book in the series so far. It is a little darker in tone and a bit more serious than the previous books in the series as Father Tim's painful journey, both physically and spiritually, is triggered by a health crisis. What I really liked is how the story is not just told from Father Tim's point of view. This time, the reader also gets to see what is going on inside the heads of some of the Mitford town folk, such as Father Tim's tenant at the Vicarage Helene Pringle, Hope Winchester, who runs the Happy Endings Bookstore and Hessie Mayhew.

Another good installment in this charming, heartwarming and uplifting series.

In This Mountain finds Father Tim and Cynthia again living in Mitford, following their stint on Whitecap Island a couple of years ago. In the little town that's become America's favorite home-away-from-home, life hums along. Dooley looks toward his career as a vet. Joe Ivey and Fancy Skinner fight a haircut price war that takes no prisoners. Percy steps out on a limb with a risky new menu item at the Grill. Uncle Billy feels new pressure to produce a sure-fire joke, and the Man in the Attic returns to Mitford as the town holds its breath to see what happens.Though Father Tim dislikes change, he dislikes retirement even more. His wife wins awards, receives bouquets, gets invited to tour the country. What's he doing? Staring at a blank show more page in a proposed book of essays, waging a losing battle against moles, and filling an occasional pulpit. Thus, when he decides to take on a unique and difficult ministry, he feels newly energized. He even begins to think he likes change--until an unexpected event propels him on a painful journey that shakes his faith, his marriage, and the whole town of Mitford.Once again, Jan Karon proves she's "a writer who reflects contemporary culture more fully than almost any living novelist" (Los Angeles Times). As always, she transports us with characters who step off the page and into our hearts, and cheers us with her great sense of fun and magnificent storytelling.By the last page of In This Mountain, you may have become so absorbed you'll have missed the sound of the timer going off-again. So, come home to Mitford. And treat yourself to a rare commodity in this world: Complete satisfaction. show less

The more I read of this town of Mitford, the more this town grows on me and the people in it, as do Father Tim and his wife Cynthia. Folks pass away and children grow up. You weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. In this book you will see that Father Tim struggles with "retirement", while his wife Cynthia wins a grand award for her writing of children's books. An unexpected and painful journey will come upon both Tim and Cynthia that will impact the whole town. There is always something taking place in the town of Mitford and the author writes in such a way that makes you want to pick up the next book and see what will take place next.

This book finds Fr. Tim and Cynthia back home, having finished their term on Whitecap. For their next adventure, they plan to serve at a mission deep in Appalachia, but Fr. Tim's health throws up a roadblock when neglect of his diabetes results in some serious issues. During a long convalescence, he also has to deal with depression, which his father struggled with as well.

This book is a bit heavier than others in the series. There's plenty of character growth, and certainly some bright spots, but because of the somber tone it has never been my favorite part of the series. However, a least-favorite book in a favorite series is still better than a lot of books I could be reading!

I found myself reading this book a little bit slower than the others. Often because I know the Scripture the author is quoting, I sort of rush through it. This time I took the time to read it fully, more slowly, and grab the context of how it fits within the situation in the story.

Maybe because I read this one a little more slowly, I found that I enjoyed this book more than some of the others. I like how things are going for Father Tim, for Dooley, for Cynthia, for Hope, for George. I'm not sure how many books are in this series, but as I read I keep hoping this is not the last one. (This is not the last one, by the way.)

I'm growing very comfortable with this author's particular style of writing. Toward the beginning of the series I was show more a little bothered by what I considered the over-use of some phrases. Now I'm getting to where I am a bit upset if I don't see one of those phrases (such as, "and he meant it.")

How this series didn't get more attention than it did is beyond me. I'm looking forward to my Kindle getting here so I can download the next one! show less