Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon

Title: Home to Holly Springs (Father Tim, Book 1)
Author: Jan Karon
Released: October 30, 2007
Publisher: Viking Press
Pages: 368
Overall: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Thirty-eight years have passed wince Father Tim Kavanagh left his Mississippi hometown, determined not to return. Then he receives a handwritten note postmarked Holly Springs. Cryptic and unsigned, it says only Come home. These two words compel him to make the most challenging journey of his life. On the long drive, he faces unanswered questions and half-forgotten memories: What happened to his boyhood chum and blood brother, Tommy? What caused his father’s melancholy that bordered on cruelty? What happened to Peggy, the adored black caregiver who disappeared when he was eleven? Who is trying to contact him, and why? These questions lead him to a truth that will change his life–forever.

For die-hard fans of the preceding Mitford Years Series, Holly Springs is a drastic departure from the light, carefree stories of a small-town rector. USA Today described it best as “Karon’s most emotionally complex novel.” Unlike the Mitford books, which skipped about frequently from one character or scene to the another, this book is more intensely focused on following Father Tim and documenting nearly every minute of his visit to Holly Springs. Whereas each Mitford book loosely covered about year of Father Tim’s life, the majority of the events in Home to Holly Springs take place within the span of a single week. Overall, I liked the book and was okay with the change of scenery it provided, though it took me a while to really get interested in the plot. (See “writing” below.)

Plot: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

I think it was brilliant of Karon to bring Father Tim home to his roots. It provided an opportunity for readers to get to know him in a way they couldn’t very easily do in Mitford. The major plot twist near the end of the book was totally unexpected; I never saw it coming.

Characters: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Karon’s greatest strength is creating characters that stick with you long after the book is done. Home to Holly Springs is no exception. Most of the characters in this book were new, seeing as the setting was a location far removed from familiar Mitford. This refreshing exchange of people was softened by Barnabas’s faithful companionship and Cynthia, Dooley, and Lace’s reappearance towards the end of the book.

Ending: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

I was very pleased with the ending of this book. It was satisfying without being too happy-go-lucky. It answered a lot of questions about Father Tim’s past and left me with a greater understanding of my favorite Episcopal rector.

Writing: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

By the end of the final book in the Mitford Series, it seemed like Karon was burning out and getting bored. Clearly she needed a new challenge to engage her, because this latest novel displays newfound vim and vigor on the part of the author. My biggest complaint about the writing is the the painfully slow start. Things really don’t get interesting until chapter seven, almost a third of the way through the book. Still, the action following this point is almost enough to make up for the lagging takeoff.

Cover: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

At last, a decently coordinated cover for a Jan Karon novel! I love the color scheme, though I have to admit I’m disappointed that they used a stock photo (of a woman wearing baby blue retro pumps no less!) instead of a lovely Donna Kae Nelson painting as was customary for the Mitford Series.

Other things you can do:
Visit Jan Karon’s website.
Purchase a copy of Home to Holly Springs.

Source: My copy of this book was a gift from a friend.