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Title: Home to Holly Springs

Subtitle: The First of the Father Tim Novels

Author: Jan Karon

Narrator: Scott Sowers

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-30-07

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 527 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Whatever became of Tommy Noles, his forbidden childhood friend, and Peggy, the loving woman who was like his second mother? What were the facts behind the court trial that drove the Kavanagh family even further apart?

He figures Thomas Wolfe was right: You can't go home again. Then he discovers the truth: A surprising number of connections have miraculously survived time and neglect.

In this first of the Father Tim novels, Jan Karon takes her celebrated Mitford character to territory he has long avoided, the uncharted territory of family, giving us a spellbinding and poignant narrative laced with the wisdom and forgiveness only a trip back home can inspire.

Critic Reviews:

"Mitford fans will enjoy this newest visit with wise, winsome, lovable Father Tim." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

The book is wonderful as always, but.....

The book was good, like everything in this series has been. Karon is a wonderful writer, and this book has new and interesting information about things that have been mentioned or alluded to in previous volumes.

BUT..... I hate to say it, but it was positively painful for me to listen to the narration of this new addition to the Mitford series. I realize that John McDonough would be a hard act to follow. However, it wasn't simply that I was wasn't hearing the kind, wise voice of Father Tim I was used to. I was prepared to hear a different voice and I really tried to like it. But although Scott Sowers is a good narrator using a nice mix of voice changes for the various characters, the overall feel of it was disconcerting. So many of the things Father Tim 'said' in Sowers voice came off sounding faintly smart-alecky instead of thoughtful. That probably wasn't the intent, but that's how it sounded to me. I'm resolved to having to hear a different narrator. I'm just not sure that Sowers was the best choice.

IMHO

The book is great (as Ms. Karon's books are). However, I was disappointed in the narration. Not that it is not good narriation, but this is a character that has already been fully developed for audio and is unrecognizable in this narration. Fr Tim does not even come across as the same character.

Interesting start to a new series

Any additional comments?

I have to say right up front that I really miss John McDonough's narration for the Mitford series. The new narrator was just too young to do the story justice. The character he is giving voice to is 70 years old the the reader sounded very young---too young. Further, the tone used in the reading made well known characters from the series sound flip and sarcastic.

My feelings are mixed about the book. The story was helpful in adding depth to the character of Father Tim by exploring things from his past only hinted at in the pervious books in the series. However, at times I found the whole thing a bit overly dramatic and heavy handed--and on occasion down right unbelievable. But in the end I am glad I listened to this first book in the new series as it was atmospheric and portrayed southern country life beautifully.

Still a wonderful listen

Though accustomed to the other wonderful narrator who has done all of the Mitford books, I still found this recording quite nice. I recommend both the book and the recorded performance.

wrong narrator

I was so disappointed when I heard the first few words in this audiobook.