Library copy. Third in the Mitford series.I thoroughly enjoyed reading These High, Green Hills. I love where the title comes into the story, just once I believe, near the end, although it is no secret. It is amazing that the reader can come to know so many varied characters so well in the course of reading this author's books. I love the consistent viewpoint of Father Tim. And I love not having to read first person in order to have it so.One might assume that this is light reading. It is not. There is depth to it, as much as the reader will receive. This book is loaded with relationships of the true kind. It deals with death, homelessness, domestic abuse, physical trauma, retirement, and love, among other things. Summarizing it does not do it justice. You just have to read it.The cave experience was paramount, as was the funeral (preparation). Those moments in a book when the pov character changes, when the reader can understand how to effect this by being in the pov's shoes, are priceless. This book has any number of those moments.I love the way a new character was brought into the story as one main character passed into the presence of her Lord and Saviour. I love the relationships with people, and especially those with Jesus Christ.This book is a gold field waiting to be mined by the reader. I highly recommend it to all, especially those interested in what really matters in life. Come to Mitford and meet Timothy, Cynthia, Dooley, Sissy and Sassy, Buck Leeper, Barnabus, Uncle Billy Watson, and a host of other small town folk. It will do your heart good.
The Mitford books are charming books about the small town life of Father Tim in a fictional town in the mountains of Western North Carolina. We meet Father Tim in his twilight years as he works in this Southern community chock full of country "characters" that will make you smile. Along the way, he adopts a cantankerous young boy, finds romance and helps friends with problems. This is the third book in a series of nine and as the book tries to cover the span of a year, it felt a little more rushed than the first two, and it was clear in the reading that it was leading up to a fourth. Karon is from Lenoir, NC, so I find the town and its folk quite familiar. Mitford is tucked in the mountains of NC and the cities of Asheville, Winston-Salem and Charlotte are all mentioned. These books are heartwarming and the town of Mitford is a refreshing retreat. I recommend reading them chronologically. I like to read one as a respite after a particularly heavy or disturbing novel for balance. It's definitely a Christian series, and although Father Tim is Episcopalian, you'll find the books uplifting and familiar no matter which branch of Christianity you cling to. The Mitford series is followed by a Father Tim series and there is also a byproduct children's book series, as Father Tim's wife is a children's book author of a series about her cat Violet. For more of my book reviews and musings on Southern living, visit my blog at SouthernAsBiscuits.blogspot.com
What do You think about These High, Green Hills (2005)?
I'm going to write the same thing for the entire series. It's a syrupy sweet old fashioned read which does not demand anything of the reader. Many find the series feel good, and there are some sparkles of true conflict here and there, but mostly it's about the mundane daily plight of a vicar who finds love later in life and saves people - emotionally and physically. If you like the first in the series, keep reading because you will be comforted by the characters and will want to see who is added to the "family." This reads like it was made for a TV series, which I am surprised it has not been made into for PBS yet!What I like about this series is that it doesn't try to be anything it is not; that in itself makes it charming, and if you want to read a simple, feel good, clean series, then this is it.
—Kelly
This third book about the beloved village of Mitford has sad and somber overtones. Two beloved Mitfordians pass away - one far too young and the other who needs no description if you're familiar with Mitford... Miss Sadie Baxter herself. Dooley's long-lost mother, Pauline, is found in a hospital room suffering from burns. Father Tim and Cynthia get lost in a cave while on a camping trip, causing Timothy to revisit the past and his verbally and emotionally abusive father. However, this book can b
—Piepie Beuttel
I worked for years in a situation where I spent hours in driving so I often I listened to books on tape or CD. I mentioned before that I was surprised that I got into these books. I have noted that most of the reviewers of these are women (no surprise). Had I not been desperate for something to listen to I would probably never have tried them. Yes they are Christian in content, but they don't get preachy. Yes we do follow Father Tim and his (new) wife and his shaggy dog, but they don't slump into soap opera. I am a Christian and these are a cut above a lot of "so called" Christian fiction.I'd describe it this way. There are works of Christian fiction that happen to be very good books.Then there are very good books that happen to be Christian fiction. These are, in general, the latter.Even if this doesn't seem like the kind of book you would usually read let me suggest you consider trying them.
—Mike (the Paladin)
