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)

The series continues

I love this series and all of Jan Karon’s books. What was disappointing to me was the change in the narrator. I grew so fond of Father Tim and his gentle voice and personality. Although the narrator of this book read well, his voice was not as gentle and he seemed younger that Father Tim. I miss the old priest; it just wasn’t quite the same.

Superb!!!

Jan Karon is a top notch storyteller! I return to Mitford and Holly Springs regularly. They are good medicine for the soul.

Full Circle

Kept thinking about this book for days after reading. Yes, it is that good. Father Tim goes back to his childhood home and we learn how events then, influenced his behaviors as an adult. Such a poignant tale of understanding, forgiveness and acceptance. If you have ever lost a parent, you will love this!

So glad Jan Karon took us to Holly Springs!

Jan Karon has written a series that I have fallen in love with! Following father Tim from Mitford to Whitecap back to Mitford and Meadow Gate and now to Holly Springs has been my happy place. As with her other books Home to Holly Springs is very character driven. We get to see and experience life in Holly Springs as Father Tim walks through the memories of his childhood. It adds such depth to his character and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series! There is a realness about these books but I don’t feel sorrow constantly thrown in my face just as it’s not artificially without trouble. Every book could be read as a stand alone but I have had great enjoyment by starting at the beginning and adventuring all the way through. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed in this or any of the other Mitford series books! Thank you Jan for all of your hard work!

Emotional Salad

Just finished. I 'm sitting here sighing. My head's moving right and left. It's like sitting through the credits after a movie that 's moved you. You can't get up just pondering the gift you've been given. I laughed out loud. Loved the story, the characters, the lessons. I think this my favorite in the series.

Great bok

This is a great journey for Father Tim as many life questions get answered. It's never too late to reconcile the past.

Great! Loved every facet. Re-listen often.

Wasn't sure if I would like this narrator but he did a great job. Thanks.

My favorite of the series.

In this book we get a look into the childhood of Father Tim. Those he loved, those who influenced him. It's written with grace and love. I hope this is not the end of the story.

Storytelling at its best!

I've listened/read all of the Mitford Series books and very much enjoyed them.
I was surprised to discover John McDonough didn't narrate this one and was a little hesitant about purchasing it. Narrators can make or break a book for me. To my great pleasure I loved Scott Sowers' narration. I have to say his voice came a lot closer to matching the image I had conjured up of Father Tim in my head. I always believed Father Tim had to be just a little bit of a "hunk" to have attracted and won the love of someone as cool and lovely as Cynthia. I instinctively "cast" the roles of the main characters in my head if they were in a movie. I had the hardest time "casting" Father Tim because his voice wasn't fitting any of the faces in my mind. I think I wanted him to look a little like James Garner when he was in his 60's. For me, Scott Sowers portrayal of Father Tim fits the bill. I'm also a pushover for narrators who sound right at home in the South. I think he also did a great job of portraying the other characters as well. The way he told the story kept me riveted even at night when I tend to fall asleep listening to my favorite audio books. Again, begin a fan of stories from the south, I loved every minute of this story. I like seeing a different side of Father Tim and finding out what made him tick. I loved hearing the stories of his childhood and the lasting impressions it left him with as an adult. This will actually go down as one my favorite Jan Karon books - and I've loved them all!

A Definite Must for Father Tim Fans

"Home to Holly Springs" clears up many questions about Father Tim's childhood, which is referred to in the Mitford series. The book has Jan Karon's terrific characters and plot lines. The narrator was a young man and I never really adjusted to his reading of Father Tim. But, for anyone who loves the Mitford books, I recommend this one!