Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
Penguin (2000), 400 pages
Original publication date
1999
Description
Fiction. Literature. Romance. HTML:In the fifth novel in #1 New York Times bestselling author Jan Karon's beloved series, fans old and new will discover that when it comes to Mitford, absence only make the heart grow fonder... Mitford�??s longtime Episcopal priest, Father Tim, has retired. But new challenges and adventures await when he agrees to serve as interim minister of a small church on Whitecap Island. He and his wife, Cynthia, soon find that Whitecap has its own unforgettable characters: a church organist with a mysterious past, a lovelorn bachelor placing personal ads, a mother battling paralyzing depression. Whitecap has more than its fair share of challenges, but in the end, Father Tim and Cynthia find that Mitford is never far away when circumstances back home keep their phone ringing off the hook… (more)
Subjects
Awards
Christianity Today Book Awards (Fiction — 2000)
Christian Book Award (Winner — Fiction — 2000)
Christy Awards (Nominee — 2000)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
400 p.; 7.8 inches
ISBN
0140270590 / 9780140270594
UPC
051488012955
User reviews
LibraryThing member cbl_tn
In A New Song, Father Tim and his wife Cynthia leave the mountain town of Mitford for an interim ministry on Whitecap Island. At first they are homesick for their Mitford friends and the comforts of home, but they soon find room in their hearts for their new parishioners and neighbors.
I like the
Readers living through change in their own lives will likely identify with this book, whether that change be retirement, relocation, a change in employment, or altered family circumstances. Some of the story threads are continued from previous books in the series, so it would help to have read those books first. However, since most of the book takes place away from Mitford, it would be possible to enjoy this book without having read any of the earlier books. I highly recommend it.
I like the
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way this series deals with matters of faith. Bad things happen in life, and faith isn't always easy. Karon's characters struggle with problems like illness, depression, moral failure and its consequences, grief, and loneliness. Father Tim always has just the right word or action to provide help and comfort. When that isn't enough, he relies on prayer and the wisdom of Scripture, with faith that God will provide the strength to endure what must be endured.Readers living through change in their own lives will likely identify with this book, whether that change be retirement, relocation, a change in employment, or altered family circumstances. Some of the story threads are continued from previous books in the series, so it would help to have read those books first. However, since most of the book takes place away from Mitford, it would be possible to enjoy this book without having read any of the earlier books. I highly recommend it.
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LibraryThing member rachelellen
I liked this volume, wherein Timothy and Cynthia spend a year or so "supplying" for a congregation on the island of Whitecap, better on re-reading than I did the first time. It does seem like perhaps the author just ran out of things to say with and about the original townspeople (who can blame
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her?) and so decided to move her characters elsewhere to meet some new people. But it works. Show Less
LibraryThing member CheshireLutheran
Two copies are available, hard cover and soft cover.
LibraryThing member whimsicalkitten
I was very skeptical about reading this book - from reading the description on the jacket, I thought it would be trite; I'm not particularly interested in reading books with any type of religious bent; and I didn't want to start with a book that was fifth in a series. But I was enthralled by this
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book, despite its occasional cloying sweetness. I loved all of the characters (well, almost all) and found the book to be very calming and thought-provoking. I'm looking forward to reading the predecessors in the series, as well as other books by the author. I'd still hesitate to recommend it to others though, for all of the reasons for which I was initially skeptical. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jua
I have read the actual book versions of all of Jan Karon's Mitford books, but it's been a while. Since I've recently begun to enjoy audio copies while I'm in my car, I decided to listen to A New Song by Karon. I AM SO GLAD I got this audio version. The narrator is John McDonough. HE IS FABULOUS.
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Let me say again.......HE IS FABULOUS. I'm sure I laughed a lot with the book version of these stories, but the narrator has brought even more humor and fun to the stories. I'm going to have to "hear" them all now. Show Less
LibraryThing member MrsLee
Although I enjoyed this story, I missed Father Tim and Cynthia being in Mitford. This is surely worth the read, but it just doesn't hold up to the flavor when the books are centered in Mitford and around those characters.
LibraryThing member karriethelibrarian
Book 5 and it seems as fresh and original as the first one.
LibraryThing member SABC
Father Tim and Cynthia leave Midford for Whitecap off the Atlantic Coast. They soon discover that Whitecap has its own unforgettble characters and church politics.
LibraryThing member Joycepa
Fifth in the Father Tim Kavanaugh of Mitford, NC series.
Retirement is not all it was supposed to be for Father Tim. Even though he’s “supplied” churches here and there, he’s restless and dissatisfied. So that when the opportunity comes to spend at least a year as an interim priest for a
Follows then a year of challenges, not the least of which involves being able to let go of his old parish. A hurricane provides its own terror. There is the mystery of their next-door neighbor and his strange behavior. But also there is satisfaction and joy in new and old friends and the serenity of their surroundings.
As usual, the book enchants because of the ordinariness of the lives of its characters. They are real people, interesting people. What is even better is that Father Tim is no plaster saint but subject to the same worries and failings as the rest of his neighbors and friends. Karon continues to present their strong faith in a most believable and even inspiring way.
Anther strong installment in the series. Highly recommended.
Retirement is not all it was supposed to be for Father Tim. Even though he’s “supplied” churches here and there, he’s restless and dissatisfied. So that when the opportunity comes to spend at least a year as an interim priest for a
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small parish on Whitecap Island in Pimlico Sound, he grasps at the opportunity eagerly. So what if he and cynthia are not particularly fond of sea and sand?Follows then a year of challenges, not the least of which involves being able to let go of his old parish. A hurricane provides its own terror. There is the mystery of their next-door neighbor and his strange behavior. But also there is satisfaction and joy in new and old friends and the serenity of their surroundings.
As usual, the book enchants because of the ordinariness of the lives of its characters. They are real people, interesting people. What is even better is that Father Tim is no plaster saint but subject to the same worries and failings as the rest of his neighbors and friends. Karon continues to present their strong faith in a most believable and even inspiring way.
Anther strong installment in the series. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
Father Tim's idea of retirement isn't much like I would think of retirement - he's in the thick of things with a new parish and battling homesickness as well. There are some lovely storylines around the idea of forgiveness and of prayer. As always, I love seeing how Father Tim lives his religion as
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well as teaches it. Show Less
LibraryThing member saintmarysaccden
THIS BOOK IS LISTED AS THE FIFTH OF THE SERIES; READ IT AS NUMBER SIX
LibraryThing member foggidawn
A New Song follows Fr. Tim and Cynthia to the Outer Banks, as Fr. Tim serves as interim priest at a small island parish. Though the island community is small, there's plenty going on: Fr. Tim and Cynthia take in a three-year-old whose mother is in the hospital and whose father has deserted the
As with earlier books in the series, this story offers up plenty of small-town charm, this time with an island twist. It always makes me want to go to the beach, even though the beach is not something I hanker after normally!
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family and caused a rift in the church as well, since he was the choir director and he ran away with the organist. In addition to this drama, there are minor squabbles, auditions for a new organist, and a mysterious and reclusive neighbor who piques Fr. Tim's interest. But even though they have immersed themselves in life on Whitecap, Fr. Tim and Cynthia find themselves missing Mitford, especially when they get several bits of bad news from back home. Can they stay the course in the new life to which they have committed?As with earlier books in the series, this story offers up plenty of small-town charm, this time with an island twist. It always makes me want to go to the beach, even though the beach is not something I hanker after normally!
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LibraryThing member SueinCyprus
Sixth in the Mitford series by Jan Karon. Father Tim Kavanagh has finally retired from being a full-time priest, and takes an interim assignment on the island of Whitecap. He and Cynthia, along with their dog Barnabas and cat Violet, spend a great deal of time preparing to move, have a rather
Inevitably there are lots of new characters as well as familiar ones from Mitford, but they're introduced gradually and are mostly memorable and interesting. Cynthia's heart is captured by three-year-old Jonathan, whose mother is in hospital; Tim employs an excellent new organist, and slowly gets to know his grumpy neighbour Morris, who has an unusual affliction.
It was good to have a foray outside Mitford while reading this series straight through, although the first time I read it I can remember not liking it as much as the previous novels in the series. Not really recommended to anyone who hasn't read the previous books in the series, starting with 'At Home in Mitford' but anyone who's enjoyed the rest of the series should certainly read this one.
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traumatic journey and arrival, and then gradually settle in to a new parish. As ever, there are petty squabbles within the congregation as well as some more serious problems, and during the year they have to deal with extreme weather conditions they have not previously experienced.Inevitably there are lots of new characters as well as familiar ones from Mitford, but they're introduced gradually and are mostly memorable and interesting. Cynthia's heart is captured by three-year-old Jonathan, whose mother is in hospital; Tim employs an excellent new organist, and slowly gets to know his grumpy neighbour Morris, who has an unusual affliction.
It was good to have a foray outside Mitford while reading this series straight through, although the first time I read it I can remember not liking it as much as the previous novels in the series. Not really recommended to anyone who hasn't read the previous books in the series, starting with 'At Home in Mitford' but anyone who's enjoyed the rest of the series should certainly read this one.
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LibraryThing member lkernagh
I have to say, I enjoyed this installment more than the previous installments. I know some readers may not like the idea that Karon has moved on from the familiar setting of Mitford to the unfamiliar setting of Whitecap. For me, this is a logical progression in the story arc with new characters and
Overall, one of the better installments in Karon’s Mitford series, IMO, although I do have one pet peeve to share: I do wish Karon had referred to a thesaurus more frequently. I lost count how many times she used the word "trot", in all its variations, to describe Father Tim's actions. It got to the point where I would cringe every time the word surfaced. The poor man (Father Tim) should be exhausted by all the "trotting" he was doing in this story!
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new situations for Father Tim and his wife Cynthia to encounter, including: an eccentric musically inclined neighbor; a lovelorn bachelor seeking a wife through personal ads; a church organist with a mysterious past; stormy weather; and the isolation one can experience while living on an island. The Whitecap characters are just as unique and lovable as the unforgettable Mitford characters. Even with the change in locale, Karon does not abandon the wonderful folks in Mitford. I found it heartening to be able to continue following Dooley’s development from a shy lad into a teen, eager to own his first car, gain some independence and learn some valuable life lessons. Overall, one of the better installments in Karon’s Mitford series, IMO, although I do have one pet peeve to share: I do wish Karon had referred to a thesaurus more frequently. I lost count how many times she used the word "trot", in all its variations, to describe Father Tim's actions. It got to the point where I would cringe every time the word surfaced. The poor man (Father Tim) should be exhausted by all the "trotting" he was doing in this story!
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LibraryThing member judyg54
Another story in the life of Father Tim and his wife Cynthia. They will move to Whitecap Island to begin a new ministry in this story; but don't worry "Mitford" fans, you will be keeping up with what goes on there as well. In Whitecap you will also meet some interesting folks. Just a few things
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going on in this story: a church without an organist, a bachelor placing a personal ad for a wife, a mother battling depression, and a strong storm that will leave the town torn apart. But through it all people will show how they can overcome much and that God will never leave them nor forsake them. I enjoyed how the author now has me cheering on two towns full of colorful characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member m.belljackson
This is my least favorite of the Mitford books so far.
Father Tim returns to his passivity as he allows himself to be bullied
into not returning briefly to Mitford - he repeats this.
The second time at least allows the airplane wedding plot twist.
Otherwise, the plot is too flat, predictable, and
or just plain awful as in the fishing sequence.
Even worse is Tim's dishonesty in not giving Miss Pringle both at least a generous allowance
and the promise of a place at Hope House for both she and her mother. She should have sued.
Father Tim returns to his passivity as he allows himself to be bullied
into not returning briefly to Mitford - he repeats this.
The second time at least allows the airplane wedding plot twist.
Otherwise, the plot is too flat, predictable, and
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extremely convoluted....or just plain awful as in the fishing sequence.
Even worse is Tim's dishonesty in not giving Miss Pringle both at least a generous allowance
and the promise of a place at Hope House for both she and her mother. She should have sued.
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