Light from Heaven: 9 (Mitford Years)

by Jan Karon

Paperback, 2006

Status

Available

Call number

813.54

Genres

Christian Fiction

All Topics

Fiction

Series

Mitford Years (9)

Publication

G.P. Putnam's Sons (2006), Edition: Illustrated, 384 pages

Original publication date

2005

Description

Fiction. Literature. HTML:Father Tim takes on a new challenge in this inspirational installment in the beloved Mitford series by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Bathed in Prayer. Father Tim Kavanagh has been asked to �??come up higher�?� more than once. But he�??s never been asked to do the impossible�??until now. The retired Episcopal priest takes on the revival of a mountain church that�??s been closed for forty years. Meanwhile, in Mitford, he�??s sent on a hunt for hidden treasure, and two beloved friends are called to come up higher as well. As Father Tim finds, there are still plenty of heartfelt surprises, dear friends old and new, and the most important lesson of all: It�??

Subjects

Christian fiction

Church membership Fiction

Clergy Fiction

Domestic fiction

Episcopalians Fiction

2 more

Mitford (N.C. : Imaginary place) Fiction

North Carolina fiction

Fewer

Language

English

Original language

English

Physical description

384 p.; 7.7 inches

ISBN

0143037706 / 9780143037705

User reviews

LibraryThing member MrsLee

This isn't my edition, I have the hardcover, regular print, but the change book cover option doesn't seem to be working.
The last of the Mitford Series...parting is such sweet sorrow. As usual, this book was uplifting, heartening and amusing. It has such a gentle way of instruction. Talk about

taking your medicine with honey! Don't judge, don't loose faith or hope. It's never too late. Wonderful books all.

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LibraryThing member karriethelibrarian

I couldn't wait to read this final book in the Mitford Series. I waited with anticipation to read how Dooley was going to handle being a millionaire, and true to form, Jan Karon wrote his story with grace and generosity.

I'll miss this group of lovely people, who, after listening to the entire

series, have become my family of sorts.

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LibraryThing member seoulful

This is reportedly the last in the popular Mitford series which have delighted fans for some years now. But as always when the action is moved even slightly away from Mitford and a new cast of characters introduced, the book loses some of its appeal for it is the town itself as well as Father Tim

and Cynthia that give such pleasure. Nevertheless, we get glimpses of Mitford and the developing dramas in the lives of its citizens. Of greatest interest to the aficionados of Mitford is the conclusion of the long running heartache of the gathering of Dooley's brothers and sisters who many years ago at a young age were scattered by their dysfunctional parents. Jan Karon is a master story-teller who is able to draw us into Mitford and its characters to such an extent that we long to find this fictional town and enter into its life.

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LibraryThing member BoundTogetherForGood

This is the final book in the 'Mitford' series by Jan Karon. I was led to believe that Father Tim was going to die in this book and, therefore, put off reading it for nearly three years even though it sat in my to-be-read pile the entire time. I even took it to England with me, planning to read it

as soon as we settled there. Well, I am happy to say that Father Tim did not die in the book although the series seemed to find a logical, albeit less exciting or dramatic end. Mitford remained a comfortable, cozy place even though it is a far cry from our life near Chicago in the noughties.

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LibraryThing member Joycepa

Ninth book in the Father Tim Kavanaugh of Mitford, NC series.

Karon wraps it all up in this last book in the Mitford series. Father Tim and Cynthia finalize their plans for retirement, the multiple ongoing story threads are resolved, Dooley and Lace mature, mysteries are brought to light, Father

Tim’s old nemesis reappears in a surprising way, and the book ends in an satisfying if improbable way. Life moves on.

What I find remarkable about this series is what appears to be Karon's attitude toward Mitford and its people. No such town has ever existed, and she is not recommending that we search for it. But what seems to me is that instead--and it is the real power behind this series--she is presenting what could be, a role model for living, so to speak. And that is its charm. The old, seductive “If we just (you fill in the blanks), life would be so much better.” Her fill-in-the-blanks is a model of Christian living, an ideal to strive for with all our human failings.

One does not have to buy into this particular model to appreciate the fine writing, the charm of the characters, the cherishing of everyday living and dying, and the sincerity that permeates the books. There is nothing banal about this series. It is a point of view that is very well presented in an entertaining fashion. Can’t ask for much more than that.

Highly recommended.

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LibraryThing member tjsjohanna

My last re-read in Mitford (for awhile) and it was lovely. I so enjoyed watching Father Tim get a country church up and running, and I enjoyed the ways in which God's miracles and grace showed themselves in the lives of those who believed and even those who didn't. This was a lovely conclusion to

the Mitford years, and I'm grateful that Ms. Karon doesn't leave us hanging but continues telling us stories of Father Tim.

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LibraryThing member jlapac

Last in the series of Mitford novels, and it shows. Karon started off with the same tone and pace that she normally does, but partway through the book seems to realize that she has to wrap up a lot of story lines and does so in a way that doesn’t seem believable or satisfying. Father Tim is house

sitting at his friend’s farm and is given a mountain church to re-open after many of years of neglect. Many familiar characters make an appearance, but Karon has too many story lines going and doesn’t do justice to any of them. If you like this series, then this book is worth checking out, but if you haven’t read the others, don’t bother.

I started to read this again in 2010 and just couldn't finish it. The book is too insipid and Karon has lost her touch with characters. She is focusing more on the religious side of the writing and the story has become secondary.

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LibraryThing member lhaines56

V good. I liked that some imperfection entered itself into Fr Tim's life and let people come to HIS aid for a change. A real page turner that I didn't want to end.

LibraryThing member TerriBooks

The Mitford years wrap up in book 9, and Fr. Tim is just as lovable as ever. I think the story has gotten a little strained in the search for Dooley's siblings, and it's getting a bit tired. But the continuing picture of Mitford and its sometimes eccentric inhabitants is still a draw. I think Karon

has a gone a little heavy handed on the preachiness, though.

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LibraryThing member BookConcierge

The last book in the 9-book Mitford series. Father Tim and Cynthia are spending the year at Meadowgate Farm. He's also taken on being Vicar of Holy Trinity - a mountain church that's been closed for 40 years. And, they've taken Sammy Barlow in. Only Kenny is still missing.

I listened to the audio

book, narrated by John McDonough. He does a fine job.

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LibraryThing member lkernagh

As the last installment in Karon’s Mitford series – readers can continue to follow Father Timothy in Karon’s Father Tim series – this one seemed to come across a bit flat. Mitford and its wonderful town folk take a back seat as Father Tim and Cynthia have moved out to Meadowgate Farm for a

year and Father Tim comes out of retirement to revive an old unused missionary church, Holy Trinity. Yes, there is a new cast of vivid characters to meet and fall in love with, but I found the story seemed to peter out instead providing a more satisfying plot resolution, almost as though Karon was rushing to meet a publishing deadline and didn’t have the time to wrap the story up properly.

I will miss my visits to Mitford but at least I can look forward to more stories with Father Timothy.

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LibraryThing member judyg54

The back cover of this book said it well: "Jan Karon writes ' to give readers an extended family and to applaud the extraordinary beauty of ordinary lives.'" I couldn't agree more. In this 9th book of the series you will find Father Tim and his wife Cynthia house sitting at Meadowgate Farm, while

Father Tim takes on the challenge of getting a mountain church that has been closed for 40 years, up and running again. The people he meets and the help that he receives is endearing to the reader.

He will also be sent on a hunt for some long hidden cash hidden inside of Miss Sadie's old car (you have to read this series in order to really know Miss Sadie). Dooley will also discover the gift Sadie left him in this book. All around good story that truly shows the beauty of ordinary folks, in Mitford and on the mountain.

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LibraryThing member salem.colorado

Light from Heaven is the final book in the Mitford Series by Jan Karon. Those of you have enjoyed the other Mitford Series books will enjoy the last of the series. It is found on the library shelves under the number F/KAR,

LibraryThing member m.belljackson

This final book in the Mitford series ties so many plot twists predictably neatly.

Very unwelcome were the frequent squirrel murders and no reaction or comment on a Confederate flag.
Does Jan Karon approve senseless hunting? and a return to The evils of the Confederacy?

Agnes and Clarence were the

best surprise additions to the lovely developing new Church
and its eclectic parishioners!

Just happy that Barnabus and Louella survived!

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