Home to Holly Springs

The First of the Father Tim Novels

By: Jan Karon

Narrated by: Scott Sowers

Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Join Father Tim on a profoundly personal journey back to his childhood home in this charming novel in number-one New York Times best-selling author Jan Karon's Mitford series.

Thirty-eight years have passed since 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.

Traveling to his boyhood home doesn’t merely take Father Tim across hundreds of miles. Thanks to a thousand sights and smells, he also travels back through memories - some fond and some he’s tried for nearly 40 years to forget, from his quick-to-anger father and his lovingly tender mother to the picturesque small town he’d tried desperately to leave behind. And once Father Tim discovers who was behind the mysterious note, a truth is revealed that will change his life - forever.

Don't miss more of Father Tim's adventures in Jan Karon's Mitford series.

©2007 Jan Karon (P)2007 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

Critic reviews

“Mitford fans, rejoice!... Father Tim answers the summons - and learns that you can go home again.” (The Washington Post)

“Lovely... This is Karon’s most emotionally complex novel.” (USA Today)

“Karon holds varying aspects of humanity up to the light, from staggering cruelty...to the awesome power of love and forgiveness.” (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Not Up to the Quality of Jan Karon's Other Books

Although the narrator gave an adequate performance, he is no John McDonough, who has been the narrator for most of the series. By comparison to McDonough''s readings (and singing of hymns!), it was frankly a disappointment.
With respect to the book itself, there was considerable repetition of episodes from the earlier books, and there were too many "coincidences" to be even vaguely plausible. It almost felt as if the writing had been rushed. Still the overall message is positive and uplifting, for which I give Ms. Karon credit. It is just not her best effort.

Can we evier go home...

Where does Home to Holly Springs rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I absolutely loved this book. The story, narration & going back explains how Father Tim became the strong individual that he is. It's definetly one of my favorites!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Father Tim....his devotion & Faith does not affect his humor! I absolutely love his attitude on life yet keeping his faith!

What does Scott Sowers bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I had gotten use to John McDonough & love him as Father Tim.,,in fact to me, he IS Father Tim! Home to Holly Springs allows us to go back to see where it all began! From his childhood to his teens. In my opinion Scott Sowers was perfect narrating this book . Personally I do not believe I would have enjoyed it as much with different narration... because of his voice not as deep, his portrayal of the younger boys was great!

If you could rename Home to Holly Springs, what would you call it?

Father Tim...going Home...???? I really think the name it has is perfect...describes the story perfectly.

Any additional comments?

Not to be rude & please forgive me if it sounds as such but I liked the men narrating the story much better. 😬

Scott Sowers

We throughly enjoyed this audible book. We found all the voices of the characters were performed beautifully by Scott Sowers.

Narrator nightmare!

Worst narration of very beloved characters of a ten book series. If John McDonough was unable to narrate, this book would have been better left off audible’s list. Had to stop and return. Father Tim is in his 60’s, approaches all conversations with a touch of grace and tenderness, and certainly not with the red-neck crudeness offered here. Pitiful.
This is a good book. Don’t miss it. It matters to the series, just read it for yourself. 👍🏼

more answers

Where does Home to Holly Springs rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favorites as is the Mitford series. It continues to hold my interest after 7 books & fills in lots of answers

Which scene was your favorite?

When Fr tim saved Peggy from being raped and tim telling his bro. He was a match 4 a kidney transplant both heart wrenching.

Who was the most memorable character of Home to Holly Springs and why?

Peggy for all she endured and how she handled it

Any additional comments?

The entire series from "at home in Milford" through "In the company of strangers" will be my "go to" "feel good" books. Thisvis my 3rd time through and I still love them as much as the first time.

Fantastic

I love the books and the audible is wonderful. This series comforts me. Great read for m n and women.

Positive about the Scott Sowers Narration

A new narrator was a good idea. I've listened to all the Mitford series and absolutely love John McDonough's voice. I wasn't sure I'd like the change. However, I soon realized that much of the voicing in the Holly Springs book is YOUNG Timothy and the southern voices of his childhood, therefore a change in narrator makes perfect sense. Scott Sowers is excellent!

Traveling with Father Tim

Just when we were afraid we had seen the last of Jan Karon's "At Home in Mitford" series she continues on with a Father Tim series. Karon brings it all together with Father Tim's return to his birth place we have heard snippets about. Our longing to hear more about the Mitford characters is fed once again and in the end we feel we know Farther Tim better than ever. We travel with the whole Mitford series in the car; but this time we felt like we were traveling with Father Tim back to Holly Springs. It made time pass quickly as we happily enjoying the whole Father Tim Saga. This book has more of an adult theme, but still no sex, violence or bad language. Once again the author gives us something to take away from those bumps in our past that we can use today.

Narrator and Author: A Match Made in Holly Springs

Scott Sowers was so brilliant a narrator I forgot he was one voice. I was especially impressed with his speech for a character described as having no teeth. It was so believable I hit rewind half a dozen times just to hear that character's first line again and again. He did an incredible job of selling Audible. I doubt my reading experience of this title, which I own in hard copy, would have had the same impact.

Mitford Fans don't pass this by

I was caught off guard to see a different narrator. Of Course John McDonough is the perfect voice for Father Tim and all of his neighbors in Mitford. But when you travel with Father Tim back to his hometown of Holly Springs, you can understand why Scott Sowers was chosen to portray all the voices in Tim's past, and the current residents of Holly Springs. He did an excellent job, I was drawn in instantly and soon forgot all about missing John McDonough So very glad I didn't pass it by.