Signs and Wonders

So continues this quirky small-town series (narrated in third person, thankfully, which makes more sense than the first-person way the series got started).

In Harmonious fashion, there's an engrossing mix of the laughable and the serious as the townsfolk deal with their individual challenges, successes, tragedies, and joys. And though some of the characters' downright hilarious (and sometimes downright frustrating!) attributes and doings tend toward the outrageous, they're based on recognizable reality—which is what makes these novels compelling.

Granted, this story's narration gets rather blatant and heavy-handed in its commentary at times. But at least it remains consistent with the characters.

I've thought about trying to space out my show more reading of these books more than I have so far, to prolong the enjoyment. But, um—humph. Oh well. I can always read the series over again sometime after I finish it. show less

Philip Gulley yet again brings another tale from Harmony, Indiana that is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. Pastor Sam at Harmony Friends Quaker Meetinghouse certainly has his hands full with his quirky, opinionated, oftentimes addled, and nuttier than a pecan pancake parishioners. The predicaments that people in Harmony get into are hilarious but things always work out somehow in the end. Another really enjoyable read and visit with those who you've come to know so well if you've read the other books in the series. I can't wait for the next book!

This third installment of Philip Gulley's Harmony series is my favorite, filled with several perfect stories about the life of a Quaker pastor and the members of his congregation in small-town Indiana. While the book lacks a compelling overarching narrative, which provided some of the emotional power of Just Shy of Harmony, it simply has a collection of well-told stories that relate the humor and emotion of church and small town life.

In the course of these light-hearted and well-written stories, more details about the lovable cast of characters emerges. The friction between Sam and his wife, hinted at in the previous book, reaches a breaking point where she takes a vacation without him. Details of the negotiations for Sam's contract show more with the Quaker church are revealed. Dale Hinshaw comes up with yet another hair-brained evangelism scheme.

The best description of church business I've ever read is described in "Persistence," which depicts the church's women's group's efforts to obtain a new stove for the meetinghouse kitchen. The motivations and the stumbling blocks, and the board meetings, which drive such decisions (or squelch them) is perfectly depicted in this outrageously funny story.

This, in microcosm, is what Gulley does best. He finds glimpses of truth and relates it with humor and compassion with evident storytelling ability. While the later books in the Harmony series have occasional missteps (too preachy and not as funny), this book shows none of those problems. show less

Book three in the Harmony series looks at a year in the life of the Quaker community’s residents. Familiar characters are back. Dale Hinshaw has a new Salvation Balloons project. Deena struggles with being alone and the Friendly Women are determined to find her a husband. Pastor Sam Gardner is overworked and still can’t say no to his flock, even to accompany his wife, Barbara, when she wins a trip to the Caribbean.

I just love this series. Each book gives us a glimpse of all the good – and not so good – in human nature, but with the hope that the good will outweigh the bad. There are several laugh-out-loud moments (Dale’s Furnace Committee members telling him that his secret is safe with them, for example), and a few tender show more scenes that simply lift my heart. While Sam is a minister, he is never preachy when imparting wisdom.

These books are a perfect break from the stresses of life, and a reminder that there is much good in this world. show less

This Harmony novel revolves more around the members of Quaker minister Sam Gardner's flock than around the minister himself. A good light read, full of lots of warm humor all about the quirks of being human.

5 Stars