A Place Called Hope

A Novel

By: Philip Gulley

Narrated by: Paul Bellantoni

When a Quaker pastor unknowingly officiates a wedding between two women, he uses the fallout as an opportunity to shake things up—but can he find a sense of belonging in small-town Indiana?

When Quaker Pastor Sam Gardner is asked by the ill Unitarian minister to oversee a wedding in his place, Sam naturally agrees. It's not until the couple stands before him that he realizes they're two women. In the tempest of strong opinions and misunderstandings that follows the incident, Sam faces potential unemployment. Deeply discouraged, he wonders if his pastoral usefulness has come to an end. Perhaps it's time for a change. After all, his wife has found a new job at the library, his elder son is off to college, and the younger has decided to join the military once he graduates high school. Sam is contemplating a future selling used cars when he receives a call from a woman in the suburban town of Hope, Indiana. It seems Hope Friends Meeting is in desperate need of a pastor. Though they only have twelve members, they also have a beautiful meetinghouse and a pie committee (Sam is fond of pie). But can he really leave his beloved hometown of Harmony?

Critic reviews

"Philip Gulley is a Quaker pastor from Indiana with a charming sense of small-town life-and a shrewd sense of life in general...A self-deprecating narrator...he knows how to exaggerate in a witty way."—The Wall Street Journal

"Gulley's work is comparable to Gail Godwin's fiction, Garrison Keillor's storytelling, and Christopher Guest's filmmaking...in a league with Jan Karon's Mitford series."—Publishers Weekly

"The biggest collection of crusty, lovable characters since James Herriot settled in Yorkshire."—Booklist on The Harmony series

"The tales Philip Gulley unveils are tender and humorous . . . filled with sudden, unexpected, lump-in-the-throat poignancy. Through deft storytelling and his own irresistible brand of humor, [Gulley] explores the depths of the Heartland's heart. A masterpiece of Americana."—Paul Harvey, Jr.

"Philip Gulley is a beautiful writer."—Charles Osgood, CBS Sunday Morning

"Gulley's stories get at the heart of the simple joys, stranger-than-fiction humor, and day-to-day drama of small-town life."—American Profile Magazine

"With the storytelling ability of Garrison Keillor, Gulley spins tales that are also a bit like Jan Karon's Mitford. Gulley is a splendid storyteller...his books abound with shrewd insights into human character."—Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Info about a normal man

Was a great listen. All the ups and downs of a family in ministry. Showed the life of someone who isn’t perfect.

A wonderful tranquil audio book

Its been several years since I read a book by Philip Gulley. Enjoyed it very much!

Gulley does it again

I was one who had been waiting a long time for another Harmony story. I was not disappointed in this installment.

I just love Philip Gulley!

I love laughing out loud. I love how he can write and I can relate to little places or little things or teeny tiny details.

Love these stories

Gulley also has a "Harmony" series. Have read everything multiple times over the past 15 yrs. The stories are still wonderful no matter what stage of life I'm in. Wish Audible would have more than just this one available.