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)

Home to Holly springs

Loved every single word of it. Have read all of the father ti m novels and I love them. Narrator was different than the other ones in the series. But he did a good job also

everything about this book was terrific.

At first I was disappointed because the regular reader, the man who is so good, wasn't the one reading this. but then I got used to this performance and thought it excellent. I love the way this particular book in the series references back to so many of the previous stories. I thought it was going to all go downhill but it's just getting better! Can you tell Jan Karon for me please that she has a very enthusiastic fan of her work.

Liked very much

I am a fan of Father Tim. I liked the story very much. However I missed
John narrating.

It left me unsettled.

Home to Holly Springs disappoints me compared to other Mitford books. The story is not the caliber of the others. Maybe it is partly the interpretation of the narrator. He is skilled but doesn't fit Mitford. He made father Tim feel cool and more sure of himself and modern. I picture Father Tim as good, solid, always seeking to be led by God. Deeply respectful of humanity. But not cool in his retorts to others. I felt this was a different Father Tim. It was surprising to find that Matthew Kavanaugh had once been kind to a little black boy, though his father was brutal to him.
The whole story left me unsettled. We need another volume to connect us back to the Mitford world.

Unbelievably excellent and inspiring

I valued the exploration of a hometown, making amends, opening the heart to more love, investing in others unlike oneself, unselfish love, forgiveness and forgiving, grace, fear, joy, naked laughter, adventure and the center of all being God who loves relentlessly and without measure!

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.

Father Tim's backstory

I really liked hearing Father Tim's back story, and even though for the place and time it was acceptable, I was surprised at how many times the "n" word was used. if it had been a movie, easily nc-17, easily. But I guess considering it was only used in the flashbacks of 1940's deep south, it was to be expected and would've been weird if it wasn't there.
The narrator was good, and I loved his southern accents, but even before I started listening to Mitford books, I never heard Father Tim with an accent, southern or otherwise. So that took a little getting used to. Again, it would've been weird to have everyone else have a Mississippi accent except Father Tim. And the rest of the characters needed an accent.
However, this book was nothing like the Mitford books... except those few times when he called Cynthia or mentioned Dooley.

Wonderful!

Jan Karon’s books never fail me! I have loved every single one in the Mitford series, and she has become one of my favorite authors. I have to admit that I was very hesitant to listen to this book when I realized that it was not narrated by
John McDonough. However, Scott Sowers impressed me beyond belief! Fantastic characterizations, and I found myself more enthralled with the story line because of his artistry. Well done! 😀👏

Holly Springs

I have to admit that I was dubious when I began this book because of having a different narrator than I was used to. But I have to admit that Scott did an awesome job. During the book he became several different characters, both men and women. There are very few people who can change their voice in such a way that it makes you forget that it is only one person doing it all.

Tying up ends

I prefer John McDonough as narrator for this series. This book ties up some old ends and has a few surprises. Good read.