In the Company of Others: A Father Tim Novel

First, let me note that I am writing this while looking out the window of my home onto Lough Arrow, the setting of the book. It was fun reading a novel set in an area where I live, and recognising it and other locations. The houses in the book are a composite, but I think I know them in spirit. The credits and thank you notes at the end offer clues to locals. Lough Arrow is home to several writers and artists; there is a well-known photographer and a more famous poet. The locals do not use the "stage-Irish" manner of speech Ms Karon employs, sparingly, thank you. Father Tim would have heard little Irish spoken, but more understood (it is taught in grade school.)In other words, it was familiar territory.Generally, everything rang true with a few small caveats. There are no salmon in Lough Arrow. The lake waters rise from an unknown limestone source deep underground and flow to the river Unshin then to the ocean. Salmon have been known to swim to the bridge at Ballyrush, but no further. The lough (pronounced "lock" for the culturally inept) has mainly brown trout and pike, and on occasion eels.There are swans, many other bird species, many wildflowers; mink are seen more frequently these days, a few badger and stoats. There are many cattle, horses, sheep and goats. This is farm country.There are only two police officers at Riverstown; the detectives would have been called out from Ballymote. Taking fingerprint evidence might have been a first for them.And for the baffled:Garda "guard" is a collective noun, (like police); the Gardaí [Gar-dee]; "guards", plural); or the Guards.An individual officer is also called a garda (plural gardaí), "officer" "Guard" is the most common form of address used by members of the public speaking to a garda on duty.I think people who read the book and weren't able to follow the story should try it again and pay attention to the 1860 journal which Tim reads and which contains clues to the story.This was my first Father Tim book. I found it enjoyable, but I'm not inclined to read another. For the country life genre I prefer Miss Read, though unfortunately she, at age 98, has no new books on offer.And should you want to read more stories about Lough Arrow, I suggest "Barnacle Soup: And Other Stories from the West of Ireland " by Josie Gray, (978-1597660365) 2008.

In the Company of Others: A Father Tim Novel (The Father Tim Series) Like other reviewers, I found the three-year lapse between Home to Holly Springs and this sequel a nearly unbearable exercise in delayed gratification. Now, a week after the fulfillment, I can say without hesitation that the book was more than worth the wait. Jan Karon names this second Father Tim novel her personal favorite. While it may not be the one I will reread most often, I must agree that this is her best writing to date.The story was not at all what I expected (and, unlike Cynthia, I usually don't like surprises). It was much better. Karon is exploring new places, new characters and, with the interweaving of the nineteenth century journal, new style while giving us more of Father Tim and Cynthia. I love Mitford beyond all reason and I miss it. I reread those books regularly and always long for more news of my dear friends there. But that series couldn't continue as it was without becoming stale, which would have been much worse than the precious and tantalizing glimpses of old friends we receive from a distance in the new series. This way, Fr. Tim and Cynthia are more real than ever as they continue to grow in their relationship and in their openness to God's leading.The overall plot, mystery, and Irish characters are excellent; and I became as engrossed in the surgeon's journal as Fr. Tim and Cynthia did. Karon's genius is her unhurried storytelling. When she rushes, characters, plot and readers all suffer. This book covers a two-week holiday in 399 pages, meaning that she allowed herself the room she needed to unfold her story slowly and deeply. Already I look forward to subsequent readings when doubtless I'll uncover things I missed this time.I'll always love Mitford, but I look forward to the continued growth of Karon's writing as she explores faith and forgiveness.

This was a re-read for me and it held my attention throughout once again. I bought it because I want to keep all of the Mitford books on my shelves, ready to read and re-read.

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This is the most different of the Father Tim/Mitford novels largely because of its setting (though a couple of the Mitford novels are also set outside Mitford) but it's probably my favourite.

Jan Karon has written an amazing, gentle, and captivating series about Father Tim, his family, parishes, and friends. All of the books create the feeling of “being there”. Truly enjoyed the series.

Item as described and arrived promptly. This was a gift for a friend. I am sure she likes it.