Jan Karon
Light From Heaven (2005)
Author: Jan Karon
Genre: Christian/Gentle
Plot Summary:
In this final book of the "Mitford Years" series, Jan Karon takes Father Timothy Kavanagh, the beloved Episcopal priest out of Mitford and into a "house sitting" situation in the country about 20 minutes away. Additionally, he has retired from his long time ministry, but is looking for some more of the "Lord's" work to do. His bishop charges him with reviving a mountaintop church which had been closed for forty years. The substance of the book is all Father Tim's efforts to not only refurbish and renew the church, but also to get to know all the surrounding inhabitants of the area, and bring them into the fold. There are a myriad of characters who range from saintly to just plain crazy, with lots of quirky folks in between. Much of the story revolves around Father Tim and his wife's efforts to "civilize" a newcomer to their household, "Sammy", the younger brother of an abused child they had previously taken in and raised (now away at veterinary school.) The book touts its tying up of all the Mitford loose ends, and it does to a great extent, but also introduces many new characters in a rather disjointed manner. One reviewer said that the book was just about Father Tim running errands and praying a lot. This reviewer would tend to agree. However, there are still some of the hallmarks of the previous books, such as detailed descriptions of good food, beautiful scenery, and gentle humor. All ends well for everyone.
Geographical Setting: "Mitford" area - a mythical rural area of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Time Period: the present (2005)
Series: Book 9 in the Mitford Years series
Appeal Characteristics:
For those who love gentle Christian fiction, this book is a fitting ending to a very well received series. The descriptions of the good and appreciated life are many . Food and its savoring run all through the story.
Detailed descriptions of the beautiful mountain setting are also quite appealing. The characters, with one exception, are all found to be "good at heart," even when it takes awhile for them to reveal their goodness. There is humor throughout, even if its a bit corny at times. Some mysteries are included, all resolved in the end.
Read-alikes: For those who like books about small town life, where almost everyone is "nice" the following authors/titles might be of interest: Phillip Gulley's "Harmony" series, such as Home to Harmony, which deals with a Quaker congregation in small town Indiana: J.Lynn Horton's Friendship Cake is about a female minister's congregation in a North Carolina setting, very warm, but does have more controversial subjects brought up than Mitford - such homosexuality; James Herriot's books, such as All Creatures Great and Small would be a good suggestion, as well as Gerald Eugene Nathan's God's Front Porch and Gail Godwin's Evansong. Although a mystery series, the Aunt Dimity series, such as Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea, or Aunt Dimity and the Next of Kin would probably be good reading for this audience.
Red Flags: None
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