A Common Life (Mitford), Book Cover May Vary

by Jan Karon

Book Overview

Laughter and wedding bells ring as #1 New York Times bestselling author Jan Karon takes her millions of fans behind the scenes of the most cherished event in Mitford history.Mitford's Lord's Chapel is... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142000345
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Length: 186 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.8" x 0.6" x 5.1"

Customer Reviews

I recommend the Mitford series to all.

I discovered Father Tim while seeking refuge in MI during 2005. His optimism and good cheer brighten my day. I have the whole series and often lend them out to friends and family that need sincerity and soul in their life.

Short and sweet

I read this sixth Mitford installment after completing the second one, which is where it really belongs, and I have to say that Jan Karon continues to please me. While A Common Life is not as long or as in depth as her other Mitford novels, it still maintained that downhome sweetness and comfortable, cozy feeling that I've come to expect and love in these books.A Common Life tells the story of Father Tim's acceptance of the importance and neccessity of Cynthia in his life. After proposing, the couple encounters the typical problems, jitters and joys that most engaged couples do. And as expected, the whole town of Mitford is getting into the celebration: Hessie Mayhew is in charge of the flowers, Esther Bollick is waiting for her invitation to bake the cake, and Uncle Joe is busily searching for the best joke to tell at the reception. And of course the wedding couldn't come off without at least a small hitch -- at 10 minutes after starting time, Cynthia is nowhere to be found...Jan Karon has written another pleasing and endearing story. It is written in the same beautiful, classy way as the others, and any Mitford fan will consider this novel to be a wonderful addition to the series. Having said that, I can see where some readers could be disappointed if they were reading the books in order since A Common Life (#6) does not continue with the story where #5 stopped but instead goes back in time to between #2 and #3. However, despite which order you read it (and I recommend #6 after #2), I believe A Common Life is a treasure and perfect as a gift for any engaged or newly married couple as it celebrates a wonderful and simple romance. Looking forward to continuing on with the third book in the series. I know I won't be disappointed.

Worthy To be in This Magnificent Series

I shouldn't have read the reviews which bemoaned this Mitford volume before reading. It added some trepidation about a forecasted letdown.The forecast appeared to be true for awhile, in fact for the first 99 pages. Then, with the letter Father Tim wrote to Cynthia delivered by his dog, I was captivated again by this witty, wordsmith and creator of the Mitford life which so many have found refreshing reading.Touching is the sentiments expressed here, the sudden shift of their jitters about marriage, shifting from Tim to Cynthia. Further, her love of his being glad in his own skin is truly a characteristic more should seek in themselves, mates and friends.The getting locked in the bathroom with the broken knob was a suprise twist (actually, this happened to me recently locked behind a second story stairwell, when the knob broke off in my wife's hand, and forced the door to be kicked down so I could attend the Voters' Meeting already late for.)She is so apt and tying in on the preparation and thoughts of key Mitford characters before and during the wedding service. Loved Uncle Billy thinking of whether to have his ham with or without mustard!This again is superb literature in my estimation and is certainly up to the level and regard I'm use to from the author. Looking forward to her future offerings.

I'd rather be in Mitford...

...which is why I went right out and bought "A Common Life: The Wedding Story". It matters little to me the length of the book or the size of the margins. It's a visit to Mitford, renewing acquaintances and visiting old friends. The confusion regarding the subject matter and length is a bit of a puzzle to me. First of all, the subtitle of the book is THE WEDDING STORY - that seems pretty clear, and Jan Karon told us it would be a novella, which is exactly what it is. Of course, I would have loved for it to be longer but I felt that way about all of the books. With a writer like Karon and books like the Mitford series, nothing is ever long enough. So I joyfully accept this lovely book for just what it is...a glimpse at the wedding of Fr. Tim and Cynthia. I especially loved the fact that she shared some of the thoughts of the characters we've grown to love: Dooley's apprehension regarding the marrage, Hope Winchester's thoughts on her "...once-ardent crush" on Fr. Tim, Absolom Greer's enduring love for Miss Sadie, and dear Uncle Billy's method of staying awake during the ceremony - deciding whether or not to have mustard on his ham! Thank you Jan Karon for this small, yet delightful return to Mitford. Please take us there again soon and let us see what transpires next with these wonderful characters you've created.

The perfect "fix" while we wait for the next in the series.

I think the bad reviews on this site are based on disappointment -- and a misunderstanding of what this book is. This is not a continuation of the Mitford series, but rather a novella (that means it's short!) about the engagement and marriage of Father Tim and Cynthia. I thought the story was lovely -- I especially appreciated seeing a more vulnerable side to Cynthia... we learn things about her that we didn't know before.I'm sure that Jan Karon is under great pressure from her publisher to write MORE, MORE, MORE Mitford books, and they would like to have one a year from her. Well, she won't do that; she can't do that. So we wait longer between books and receive stories of astonishing depth and quality. This novella reminds us how desperate we are for the next in the series. I have to admit that I think the publisher's price and the packaging are a bit deceiving -- the double-spacing and wide margins feel like an attempt to pull the wool over our eyes. But don't blame Jan Karon -- she is like her character, Cynthia Coppersmith... she agonizes over her deadlines and worries that her work isn't up to her readers' expectations.

You Are Invited To A Blessed Event!!

Dear Mitford Readers,You are cordially invited to the wedding of our beloved Father Tim, and our dear Cynthia Coppersmith!I highly suggest you don your best Sunday outfit, and don't miss this blessed event!!Jan Karon, stated that her readers dearly wanted to know what happened at Father Tim and Cynthia's wedding, and now she has taken us and given us this rare treat of what did actually go on. She has shown us more of Father Tim, and Cynthia's characters, she has taken us inside the minds of all the other characters, and we have seen for ourselves, how they felt about this marriage, and how they go back and how they felt about the loves of their lives!!I loved this book from the moment I saw it! I loved the cover art, and the pen and ink drawings. To me it is the most beautiful book of them all! It is beautiful inside and out!!I knew this book would be a "novella", and this is what I was expecting, not a continuation of the larger books!! I am not in the least disappointed in this book, as I have just finished reading it, and I had tears pouring down my face, as I read about this great event in Mitford history!!I urge every Mitford reader to give this book a fair chance. Jan Karon has said that she loves this book, and its very special to her, and I agree, I love this book too, and I can feel the love flowing through her words!!Jan Karon, is one author, that has never failed me, and I have read each book, and am rereading the series for the third time, and she has not failed me with this book either, as I knew she wouldn't!!Again, I highly recommend this book, for any Mitford lover, for any bride and groom, and for anyone that wants to be given a glimpse of heaven on earth!!As long as I have breath in my body, I will sing the praises of these glorious, books!!To Jan Karon, I again thank you from the bottom of my heart, for giving me, the most joyous and soul-satisfying books I have ever read!!Your devoted fan, Becky Carden, aka The Mitford Cheerleader!!