A Light in the Window - Jan Karon

by Tristi Pinkston | More from this Blogger

01 Mar 2007 05:07 PM

Following on the heels of "At Home in Mitford," the ground-breaking first novel in the "Mitford" series is "A Light in the Window." Health problems caused our main character, Episcopalian minister Father Tim, to take a long vacation abroad. Returning home to his beloved Mitford after a long absence, he finds that everything is the same, and yet everything is different. His own perceptions have changed after his near brush with death, and nature does have its way of creating change over time.

Puny, his housekeeper, is engaged and will soon be married. Dooley, the rough-edged boy he took in, is learning manners and even calls him "sir" now. Cynthia Coppersmith, his beautiful neighbor, is still as attractive as ever, but now has taken on additional appeal.

There was a death in the community during Father Tim's absence - Pat Mallory went the way of all the earth and his widow, Edith, went the way of lonely women - she's on the hunt for a new husband, and she has set her sights on Father Tim. It all begins with a casserole. Ah, the casserole! Innocent offering with deadly intent. Poor Father Tim doesn't know what to do, but unfortunately, Cynthia does. Thinking that Edith's attentions to Father Tim are welcome, Cynthia leaves Mitford for a prolonged trip to New York City to meet with her publishers, and apparently has no intention of returning, as a moving van and crew show up just days later to remove her things. Tim had no idea what he had lost until it was gone.

Meanwhile, a new nursing home is being built in town, and the contractor, a gruff and shady character by the name of Buck Leeper proves to be a challenge for Father Tim. But in his kind, unshakable way, the father manages to bring everything back into focus. Things may have changed during his absence, but he's still the most beloved clergyman in town, and possibly in literature.

(This book was published by Penguin Group in 1996.)

Related Blogs:

At Home in Mitford

Author Review: Jan Karon

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Learn more about Tristi Pinkston

I've been a blogger for Families.com since August of 2006.

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