At Home in Mitford (The Mitford Years, Book 1)

The series of five books begins with "At Home In Mitford" which introduces the reader to Father Tim, a cherished Episcopalian rector in the town of Mitford. The residents of Mitford will surely come to take up residence in your heart as you read through this heartwarming series of miracles, love, mysteries and everday life which take you into the lives of Mitford's charming, eccentric, and lovable citizens including Father Tim's big black dog, Barnabas, who can be instructed to behave with a mere verse of scripture!


Characters, dialogue, funny predicaments...it's all here.   September 5, 1999
37 out of 38 found this review helpful

I absolutely loved 'At Home in Mitford'. It is probably the best book I have ever read. As a mother of three small children, I rarely get to read anymore. I was surprised by a friend with a gift of this book. When I started reading - I just couldn't hardly put it down. I looked forward to my quiet reading moments with an unquenchable enthusiasm and finished it in record time (finishing a book is alone a record for me)! The characters were so vivid - I felt I knew each one. One negative reviewer criticized the character "Catherine" when the name is actually "Cynthia" (makes me wonder whether THAT interviewer actually read the book) and she is a character so full of life,so quirky, happy, and fun-loving; she reminds me of my incredible mother. Another one of the few negative reviewers said that it was boring. Well, I don't want to give any of the many interwoven plot lines away so I will just say that a lot of real "action" doesn't happen on the show 'Friends', for instance but you watch it for the characters. It is more 'on par' with "Steel Magnolias" than "Hunt for Red October". Another great asset of this book is it's DIALOGUE. I just laughed throughout the entire book. I would LOVE to meet Jan Karon. And finally, this book was an incredible blessing to my Christian walk. To read a 'picture' of caring people SHOWING their love was so uplifting. I pray that it will bring many blessings to many others. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the Mitford series.


At Home in Mitford/ The Mitford Series   December 2, 1999
linda (Georgia)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

My neighbor recommended this series to me. I never imagined when I began with At Home in Mitford that I would become attached to the little town. I became upset with myself that I had purchased Book 1 by itself. I found myself wanting to go straight to the next one. I purchased Books 2 and 3 together so I didn't have to wait to go on. I only hate that I have completed the series. I passed the books on to my mother who quickly completed the series and passed it on to her neighbor, then my sister (who I never thought would enjoy this type of writing), who in turn passed it to her mother-in-law. Everyone I know who has read these books has thoroughly enjoyed them. The books brought great comfort to me and created inner peace in a way I never experienced before. I hope that Jan will soon add to the series and I look forward to collecting the Mitford Village when it becomes available.


GOOD MEDICINE   December 10, 1999
PAMELA BARRON (WATERFORD, MI)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

When I read the book, I was at a time in my life when I needed a lift from being depressed. This book was the answer. I laughed and cried and was impressed by some of Father Tim's comments. The comments were exactly what I needed to hear. I have shared the books with others and they also have enjoyed them.


I'm Ready to Move to Mitford!   October 4, 2000
Maudeen Wachsmith (Port Townsend, WA)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

What a wonderful book! I am writing this after I have read the entire series and am waiting with baited breath for the next book. I love the way Jan Karon tells a story bringing in all the quirky characters of a small town and making the reader feel a part of the scene. From the time Father Tim meets the stray dog, Barnabas (who, as fate would have it only responds when Father Tim quotes scripture to him) to the scenes at different settings around town, I loved this book and this series like I've loved no other. My mother, in her 80s, has read them and then passed them on to a friend of hers (whose husband, now deceased, was a pastor in the town of Blowing Rock, NC, the town where the author lives and which was an inspiration for the town of Mitford). These are stories to be savored and read again and again. Very highly recommended!