Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
Viking (2002), Edition: 1st, 382 pages
Original publication date
2002
Description
Moving. Soul searching. Timely. In This Mountain is Jan Karon's newest and best. Father Tim and Cynthia have been at home in Mitford for three years since returning from Whitecap Island. In the little town that's home-away-from-home to millions of readers, life hums along as usual. Dooley looks toward his career as a vet; Joe Ivey and Fancy Skinner fight a haircut price war that takes no prisoners; and Percey steps out on a limb with a risky new menu item at the Main Street Grill. Though Father Tim dislikes change, he dislikes retirement even more. As he and Cynthia gear up for a year-long ministry across the state line, a series of events send shock waves through his faith - and the whole town of Mitford. In her seventh novel in the bestselling Mitford Years series, Jan Karon delivers surprises of every kind, including the return of the man in the attic and an ending that no one in Mitford will ever forget.… (more)
Subjects
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — 2003)
Christianity Today Book Awards (Fiction — 2003)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
382 p.; 9.32 inches
ISBN
0670031046 / 9780670031047
User reviews
LibraryThing member cbl_tn
It took me longer to warm up to this book than to any of the other books I've read so far in the Mitford series. I struggled to keep going through the first half of the book. It felt like a rerun of some of the earlier books in the series. For example, Father Tim's health was a major plot point in
I stuck with it and was rewarded by the last half of the book, which typifies what I love so much about this series. The characters resemble the people I encounter daily at work, at church, at the bank, at the mall. Their problems, both physical and spiritual, are realistic, and, just as in real life, they are not neatly resolved. Father Tim's struggle in this book to distinguish his will from God's will reminded me of this passage in Philippians:
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Although the time frame for this books spans from spring to early fall, it turned out to be a timely read for the Thanksgiving season. Father Tim's sermon on I Thessalonians 5:18 is a wonderful meditation on thanksgiving in all circumstances. It's food for the soul.
Show More
one of the earlier books in the series as well as in this book. Been there, done that.I stuck with it and was rewarded by the last half of the book, which typifies what I love so much about this series. The characters resemble the people I encounter daily at work, at church, at the bank, at the mall. Their problems, both physical and spiritual, are realistic, and, just as in real life, they are not neatly resolved. Father Tim's struggle in this book to distinguish his will from God's will reminded me of this passage in Philippians:
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Although the time frame for this books spans from spring to early fall, it turned out to be a timely read for the Thanksgiving season. Father Tim's sermon on I Thessalonians 5:18 is a wonderful meditation on thanksgiving in all circumstances. It's food for the soul.
Show Less
LibraryThing member rachelellen
The darkest of the Mitford novels -- and even as such, don't expect it to be terribly dark. Father Tim's diabetes finally catches up with him in a very painful way, and his experiences working through the aftermath of that (both physical and emotional) are quite moving.
LibraryThing member seoulful
Once more, Jan Karon brings to life all the well-loved characters of Mitford. There is sadness as Father Tim goes into another diabetic coma with terrible results. But then there's joy when Dooley's brother, Sammy, is found and coaxed out of hiding. Some new characters are introduced and some old
Show More
ones pass on. The reader is left with the feeling that he would like to find a Mitford, or maybe bring a little of it into his own life. Show Less
LibraryThing member jpogue
It is hard not to fall in love with Father Tim and all the colorful characters in Mitford, North Carolina. The seventh in the Mitford series, "In This Mountain" is Jan Karon at her best. Her gift for weaving details into her stories that later blossom into poignant and powerful life lessons is
As a woman, my favorite character in this series is dear Cynthia Kavanaugh. She is a wonderfully human mixture of weaknesses, strengths, and believability. "In This Mountain" recounts, from Father Tim's perspective, her gentle and enduring faith in the midst of a dark and relentless crisis in her husband's life. Oh! To be a wife like Cynthia Kavanaugh! In spite of its status as fiction, "In This Mountain" holds many valuable Truths.
If you are a Mitford fan, you won't be disappointed in this tale! Karon is, as always, brilliant.
Show More
unparalleled.As a woman, my favorite character in this series is dear Cynthia Kavanaugh. She is a wonderfully human mixture of weaknesses, strengths, and believability. "In This Mountain" recounts, from Father Tim's perspective, her gentle and enduring faith in the midst of a dark and relentless crisis in her husband's life. Oh! To be a wife like Cynthia Kavanaugh! In spite of its status as fiction, "In This Mountain" holds many valuable Truths.
If you are a Mitford fan, you won't be disappointed in this tale! Karon is, as always, brilliant.
Show Less
LibraryThing member miyurose
A Mitford book is a palate cleanser in my steady diet of crime, murder and unsavory characters. In this installment, Father Tim has a bit of a crisis of faith as he struggles to find his path in retirement and deals with the consequences of some of his actions. Mitford fans won't be disappointed.
LibraryThing member MrsLee
I never tire reading about Mitford, even though the kids are growing up and Father Tim is aging, the people and small town events are just as engaging as the first book.
LibraryThing member porch_reader
This is the last book (#7) in the Mitford series. I've read them all and always enjoy the home-y comforts of Mitford. Father Tim, his wife Cynthia, and their friends and neighbors deal with troubles like those found in many small towns. At this point in the series, Karon has developed a huge number
Show More
of familiar characters and keeps her readers entertained with the intertwined storylines. These books work very well for me on audio, and I've enjoyed spending my drives to and from work with the good folks of Mitford. Show Less
LibraryThing member SABC
Father Tim and Cynthia again live in Mitford, following their stint on Whitecap Island. Father Tim dislikes retirement. His wife is adjusting well, however, what is he doing?
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
Just when I was all set to read about the Kavanaugh's adventures in Tennessee, Ms. Karon throws a curveball. While the first book hinted at Father Tim's emotional struggles, this book takes a close look at depression and illness as Father Tim copes with the unexpected. I particularly liked the
Show More
conclusion of this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member SueinCyprus
This is the seventh novel in Jan Karon's 'Mitford' series about the Episcopal priest, Father Tim. Set in a small village in a mountain in the south of the USA, it's a delightful series with cleverly drawn characters, light humour, and some moving moments too.
This book takes place more than a year
Then a disaster happens, because Father Tim is not paying attention to his health. The rest of the book covers his reactions to this, including some quite bad depression which he tries to fight. It's perhaps more serious than some of the earlier books; certainly the Christian message is put more clearly than ever, along with some useful reminders of eternal truths.
Very enjoyable as part of the series, but it wouldn't make much sense as a stand-alone novel.
This book takes place more than a year
Show More
after the previous one. Tim is now well-established as a retired priest, and his wife Cynthia continues to write successful children's books although she keeps intending to stop. They have been trying to find a productive use of their time, and have agreed to join a small mission organisation in the outback. They are both trying to be enthusiastic about it and believing it's probably right, but messages from the organiser are not encouraging.Then a disaster happens, because Father Tim is not paying attention to his health. The rest of the book covers his reactions to this, including some quite bad depression which he tries to fight. It's perhaps more serious than some of the earlier books; certainly the Christian message is put more clearly than ever, along with some useful reminders of eternal truths.
Very enjoyable as part of the series, but it wouldn't make much sense as a stand-alone novel.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Joycepa
Seventh in the Father Tim Kavanaugh of Mitford, NC series.
Father Tim, in his usual role of Saving the World, has too much to do, he thinks, to worry much about keeping to his diebetic diet. Plus he’s resentful of the disease, that prevents him from eating the food he wants. So, he goes on an
This is the darkest of the Mitford series. Karon writes with sensitivity and perhaps a tad too much idealism (I’ve lived in small towns most of my life, and never found ALL the people to be that forgiving). But the books has all the strengths of the series: fine writing, interesting characters that develop, a strong but not offensive presentation of Christianity. But what I truly appreciate about the series is that it deals with real life in a rather matter-of-fact but yet compassionate way: people die whether from natural causes or disease, life moves on as others retire and move away. children grow up and leave, while others come in to take their place.
This is a very fine installment in an excellent series. Highly recommended.
Father Tim, in his usual role of Saving the World, has too much to do, he thinks, to worry much about keeping to his diebetic diet. Plus he’s resentful of the disease, that prevents him from eating the food he wants. So, he goes on an
Show More
eating binge; the results are somber, as in a diabetic crisis, he blacks out at the wheel of his car, and a tragic accident occurs. Obsessed with what he feels is his responsibility AND with what the townspeople really think of him after the accident, he falls into a deep depression.This is the darkest of the Mitford series. Karon writes with sensitivity and perhaps a tad too much idealism (I’ve lived in small towns most of my life, and never found ALL the people to be that forgiving). But the books has all the strengths of the series: fine writing, interesting characters that develop, a strong but not offensive presentation of Christianity. But what I truly appreciate about the series is that it deals with real life in a rather matter-of-fact but yet compassionate way: people die whether from natural causes or disease, life moves on as others retire and move away. children grow up and leave, while others come in to take their place.
This is a very fine installment in an excellent series. Highly recommended.
Show Less
LibraryThing member BookConcierge
Further tales of Father Tim Kavanaugh, his wife, Cynthia, his adopted son, Dooley, and the rest of the citizens of Mitford. This is book 7 of the 9-book Mitford series, and I do advise that they be read in order.
This audio book was narrated by John McDonough. His voice is perfect for the male
This audio book was narrated by John McDonough. His voice is perfect for the male
Show More
characters, but a tad too deep and gravelly for the females. Still, it’s a good audio book. Show Less
LibraryThing member homeschoolmimzi
I've been enjoying the Mitford series, however this book had some inconsistencies to it. Karon introduced some dark circumstances in this story that, at least in my view, didn't fit in well with the characters. Enjoyable read nonetheless.
LibraryThing member debs4jc
Returning to Mitford and the life of Father Tim and Cynthia is always so heartwarming and uplifting. Sure, Father Tim has his problems - he even gets kidnapped at one point in this book, and he has serious medical emergency. But his reliance on the Good Lord, prayer, and quoting scripture always
Show More
gives me hope that things will work out. And they do and I am blessed by hearing how his faith helps him through the low points of his life. It is also good to see how he blesses others in his interactions with them, and to see him celebrating special moments like anniversaries and the reuniting of siblings. Long live Father Tim! Show Less
LibraryThing member lkernagh
This one is probably my favorite book in the series so far. It is a little darker in tone and a bit more serious than the previous books in the series as Father Tim's painful journey, both physically and spiritually, is triggered by a health crisis. What I really liked is how the story is not just
Another good installment in this charming, heartwarming and uplifting series.
Show More
told from Father Tim's point of view. This time, the reader also gets to see what is going on inside the heads of some of the Mitford town folk, such as Father Tim's tenant at the Vicarage Helene Pringle, Hope Winchester, who runs the Happy Endings Bookstore and Hessie Mayhew. Another good installment in this charming, heartwarming and uplifting series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member SarahGraceGrzy
Such an amazing book! One of come back to again and again to read! Jan Karon hits a homerun once again!
LibraryThing member foggidawn
This book finds Fr. Tim and Cynthia back home, having finished their term on Whitecap. For their next adventure, they plan to serve at a mission deep in Appalachia, but Fr. Tim's health throws up a roadblock when neglect of his diabetes results in some serious issues. During a long convalescence,
This book is a bit heavier than others in the series. There's plenty of character growth, and certainly some bright spots, but because of the somber tone it has never been my favorite part of the series. However, a least-favorite book in a favorite series is still better than a lot of books I could be reading!
Show More
he also has to deal with depression, which his father struggled with as well.This book is a bit heavier than others in the series. There's plenty of character growth, and certainly some bright spots, but because of the somber tone it has never been my favorite part of the series. However, a least-favorite book in a favorite series is still better than a lot of books I could be reading!
Show Less
LibraryThing member musicalmary
Once again, another light-hearted and funny book in the Mitford Series.
LibraryThing member judyg54
The more I read of this town of Mitford, the more this town grows on me and the people in it, as do Father Tim and his wife Cynthia. Folks pass away and children grow up. You weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. In this book you will see that Father Tim struggles with
Show More
"retirement", while his wife Cynthia wins a grand award for her writing of children's books. An unexpected and painful journey will come upon both Tim and Cynthia that will impact the whole town. There is always something taking place in the town of Mitford and the author writes in such a way that makes you want to pick up the next book and see what will take place next. Show Less
Similar in this library
Sunrise: The Baxter Family, Sunrise Series (Book 1) Clean, Contemporary Christian Fiction by Karen Kingsbury
Someday: The Baxter Family, Sunrise Series (Book 3) Clean, Contemporary Christian Fiction by Karen Kingsbury