• Home to Holly Springs

  • The First of the Father Tim Novels
  • By: Jan Karon
  • Narrated by: Scott Sowers
  • Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,060 ratings)

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Home to Holly Springs  By  cover art

Home to Holly Springs

By: Jan Karon
Narrated by: Scott Sowers
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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)

What listeners say about Home to Holly Springs

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

My favorite storyline

After first grieving the absence of John McDonough’s voice, I adjusted to the new reader. He did a wonderful job with Peggy’s voice, especially. This storyline was one of my favorites of the entire series. ❤️

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great story that gets better with each page

Was not crazy about the narrator at first, but grew to enjoy his story telling. A great tale of coming home and full circle

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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John McDonough Rest In Peace

I agree that no one can surpass John McDonough as the narrator of Jan Karon’s books on Audible but just wanted to make sure that everyone who treasures his work is aware that John died on January 21, 2021. RIP

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful story!

I enjoyed this having read the rest of the Mitford books but somehow never this one. As always, a fabulous story, well told. The change in Narrator was disconcerting after becoming accustomed to Father Tim’s voice, but this narrator did a great job with the dialects.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Right story, wrong reader

i loved the story, but for me John McDonough will always be Father Tim. Scott Sowers was good, but just not Father Tim.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • S
  • 01-27-08

Wonderful Book

Home to Holly Springs was fun, heart warming and great to listen to. I couldn't wait to get to a place where I could listen again. I was so surprised to find out who wrote the mysterious note. Great book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Narrator

Should have stuck with the one who did the rest of the series! Didn't feel like the same story line and this guy is somewhat monotone.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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southern history wrapped in a story

Besides the great heart in the story, I have more understanding of how it was to be a person of color in the south in those days. And it makes the listener think of their own childhood days. Jan Karon at her best!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Marvelous!!!!

Couldn’t put it down! Loved getting to know these new characters. Jan Karon excels herself here.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

What a sweet and uplifting series

I found the Mitford book series by mistake and have Thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a sweet and uplifting series of books.

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