[.ca] At Home in Mitford (ISBN 0613124669)

From Amazon.com:
Father Tim, a cherished small-town rector, is the steadfast soldier in this beloved slice of life story set in an American village where the grass is still green, the pickets are still white, and the air still smells sweet. The rector's forthright secretary, Emma Garret, worries about her employer, as she sees past his Christian cheerfulness into his aching loneliness. Slowly but surely, the empty places in Father Tim's heart do get filled. First with a gangly stray dog, later with a seemingly stray boy, and finally with the realization that he is stumbling into love with his independent and Christian-wise next-door neighbor. Much more than a gentle love story, this is a homespun tale about a town of endearing characters-- including a mysterious jewel thief--who are as quirky and popular as those of Mayberry, R.F.D. --Gail Hudson

What a pleasure!:
What a pleasure this and all of Karon's books are! Pure delight with their Mayberryesque type settings. True, they have more than a little "Christian" attitude thrown in, but it's all part of the theme. The characters in this book are so likeable. Yes, this is not the real world, but who wants that all the time. It's a great escape from things like the rampant commercialism and decay we all live with. Just give me a good book that I can fall into any day and I'll be happy. If you liked "Fried Green Tomatoes" or "Bark of the Dogwood" you'll probably like this book as well, though those two have more than a little "real life" in them. All-in-all these books are great reads and shouldn't be missed. All of Karon's books are great.

Relaxing...Not Overly Stimulating:
I liked this book, but felt that there could have been more of a plot or story behind the town. All of the things that seemed like big mysteries didn't turn out to be that way. It was a nice peaceful story of a town that I would like to visit. However, that's all it was, and a little long to have no purpose.

A Gentle Read:
I've been interested in the reviews I've read, being in agreement with them most of the time. Those who complain about a lack of reality, etc., miss the point all together. There is enough so-called reality everywhere we turn. A reality of crudeness, selfishness, and disdain for anything gentle. Hooray for Jan Karon, and her wonderful world of Mitford. I have even missed my favorite TV shows (Law & Order, and CSI), for a few hours of delight in the pages of Mitford. Father Tim and all the rest have won my heart!

One visit is more than enough:
I agree with the negative reviews ... poorly written, boring, flat characters, utterly predictable and annoying. However, I also somewhat understand the appeal of this book. Warm, safe and comfortable. It is a chore to "keep caring" up until the end. One of my problems was I hated Cynthia. (Tim's love interest) WHAT A SILLY PUTZ. "You were wonderful" she coos to Father Tim after he plays the "knight" and rescues her cat (again) because "oh Lordy pooor Violet" "You're lovely" she says to Father Tim. Who goes around saying "you're lovely" to people they hardly know? She acts like a child half the time. She actually cried when she burnt supper and knightly Tim has to rescue her once again. Blech and double blech. I kept hoping she'd die or fall in love with someone else. I am utterly aghast that this book has turned into an actual SERIES. YIKES. THAT is going TOO far. I would never read another Mitford book.

A cozy mystery:
At Home in Mitford is the first book in the Mitford series. It introduces you to the major characters (and quite a few minor ones) that Karon develops in the later Mitford books. I didn't continue to turn the pages of this book because the plot was so riveting I couldn't put it down. I kept reading because I needed to know what happened to Father Tim and the other citizens of this charming little town. Karon does a wonderful job of making the reader care about these lovable characters. Think of this book as a cozy mystery with no dead body. It does, however, have a jewel theft, a kidnapping, a runaway and several medical crises to keep you turning the pages. If this isn't enough, there is also a romance and an old secret that comes to light, so it has something for everyone. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.