Customer Reviews

In This Mountain

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the book Jan Karon has made; let us be thankful and rejoice in it. An amazing addition to the Mitford series, one that left me gasping at one point and re-reading it almost as soon as I finished it. Once again Ms. Karon presents the reader with the gentle village life of Mitford and the lovable but occasionally cankterous Father Tim, and shows us a gentle side to some very difficult issues. Far from syrupy, the books in this series manage to tackle some really hard turns in the road without becoming a soap opera - more an approach to life through faith and kindness and devotion. For some people, this might be a difficult read but the message of thankfulness and hope will guide you through the darker parts. Life with Father Tim, Cynthia, Dooley, Puny, Emma, the Turkey Club, Harley, Hessie, Hope & Helene - well ALL the favorite Mitford character, continues to challenge and enrich anyone opening the cover of this truly wonderful book.

I am just finishing In This Mountain by Jan Karon and I don't want it to end. That's how I have felt about each Mitford book that I have read. Father Tim is like all of us, so human and goes about his life not really realizing how important he is to the people in his life. He sees only his frailities, not all he does and how much he means to his family and friends. I love the way his heart sings when he is around Dooley and although he isn't his birth father, he has been there for the boy through the good and the bad. Father Tim tries over and over again to place life's activities in God's hands, but like us
all takes control when he really needs to let go.

Also recommended: Bark of the Dogwood and Three Junes

I grew up in a small town back in the 60's and 70's and I raised my own children in the same small town. This series truly captures the essence of small town living and makes me want to get back to my roots. Jan Karon makes me want Mitford to be a real place that I can move to. I already know most of the people who live there, so the transition would be a piece of cake. Keep it up Jan. I personally would like to see more Mitford books. This is one series I have not and probably never would get tired of.

I just truly love family sagas. I like the tales that take you on an emotional ride and never let's up. I love stories that make you laugh, cry, and that just plain make you think...and most of all make you feel the very feelings that the characters within are having throughout the book.

This book does all of that and so much more. I was pleasantly enthralled from beginning to end.

I have read all the series books up to this one. There was just enough plot variation to keep me going in this time. But I must admit the series is wearing thin on me.

But even more wearing is the author's need for an editor. I believe that it's difficult for authors to see their own bad habits. That's why there are editors. And I think Penguin/Viking Books has failed Karon in this area. Karon has a habit of repeatedly using little turns of phrase that were maybe cute once or twice, but after dozens of uses they are just annoying.

In a couple of the previous books, the phrase that really stood out to me was "..., meaning it." For example, on p.373 of this book, "'I'm sorry,' [Father Tim] said, meaning it." Sincerity is a valued characteristic in these books and in life. But there must be various ways of describing it. When that phrase keeps turning up, I am no longer struck by the character's feelings, but by my own annoyance.

In this book the description that came up so often I gritted my teeth every time I saw it was: 'thumped down.' I didn't count, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was used as many fifty times. People 'thumped down' on chairs, benches, sofas etc so many times I was wondering if anyone had a sore butt.

I like Karon's community that she dreamed up. I loved her first book. Series fans will no doubt be offended by my opinion, but I think she needs to take a break for her own creativity's sake.

Very much like A LIGHT IN THE WINDWOW, I found this book equally as enjoyable. Even if you haven't lived in a small town you'll be able to "get into" this book. There's so much there. It reminds me in many ways of McCrae's BARK OF THE DOGWOOD or even TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD in its writing and well-drawn characters. This is a timely and moving tale, sure to please.

Also recommended: McCrae's BARK OF THE DOGWOOD and I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS

My dad was the review I first read. This book I think is the best one in the series. Ties in all the things from the first book! I loved it.. Can't wait to find out what is going on with everyone. Feels like I am away from home and I can't wait to go back and catch up!

I've liked Karon's Mitford books, but this one was almost too much. Must EVERY exchange between Tim and his friends include, "Im praying for you," and "And Im praying for you, too"? I started noting this early on, checked each occurrence, and there's more than forty such exchanges. Now even for a priest, that'a little much. And I have come to skip over the paragraph where Tim asks Cynthia, "And what DON"T you love?" Her cutesy replies are gag material. And the description of Edith Mallory "trapping" Tim in a locked room and trying to seduce him is almsot Saturday Night Live material. All this said, the nice telling of ordinary stories in an ordinary town is refreshing, and with the above qualifications, this still is a good read.

While I have enjoyed the other Mitford books, if I've had any complaint it is that the stories are a little too pat and everyone is a bit too cute. I was pleased and moved by the direction that Karon took In This Mountain. I felt this book had more substance than her previous books, while retaining their charm. Father Tim's wrestlings were very meaningful to me, and sermon he delivers near the end of the book is a masterpiece. I hope this indicates the future direction of the Mitford series.

I love all the Mitford books. I love the characters, the town and even Barnabas. But for some reason, the whole tone of the book seemed sad. With Father Tim having his diabetic blackout and the repercussions that followed were unlike the other books. I always found them uplifting so I am wondering if the next Mitford tale will be within the same vein. Is this the prelude of Father Tim's more grim illness or just an instance of showing us that life is never perfect, even in Mitford? We will have to see.