Home to Holly Springs

The First of the Father Tim Novels

By: Jan Karon

Narrated by: Scott Sowers

Join Father Tim on a profoundly personal journey back to his childhood home in this charming novel in #1 New York Times bestselling 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 forty 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.©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

“Mitford fans will enjoy this newest visit with wise, winsome, lovable Father Tim.”—Publishers Weekly

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.