A Common Life: The Wedding Story
   Jan Karon
   (Associate Reviewer Marjie Cross)
  2000 Viking
    ISBN: 0670894370


Mitford's Lord's Chapel seats barely two hundred souls, yet millions of Jan Karon's fans will be there for the most joyful event in years: the wedding of Father Tim Kavanaugh & Cynthia Coppersmith.

Here at last is A Common Life, & the long-awaited answers to these deeply probing questions: Will Father Tim fall apart when he takes his vows? Will Cynthia make it to the church on time? Who'll arrange the flowers & bake the wedding cake? And will Uncle Billy's prayers for a great joke be answered in time for the reception?

Occasional Reader Reviewer Margie Cross writes:

Once I discovered Jan Karon's engaging & uplifting Mitford series I immediately devoured all six books in just a short period, relishing the anecdotes of Father Tim Kavanaugh & his faith-filled community. The drought I have experienced since finishing A New Song last year has left me wanting for new tales of Mitford, & I am appeased somewhat with A Common Life.

If you are familiar with the Mitford stories (if you are not, visit the Penguin Putnam site dedicated to this series) you are aware that Father Tim & the vivacious Cynthia began a fragile courtship that culminated with the announcement of their wedding in the second novel, A Light in the Window.

By the third book the newlyweds are experiencing the trials & joys of balancing marriage with their duties to Mitford's Episcopal congregation. A Common Life fills in the gap between these two books. It is really a simple story, reintroducing favorite Mitford citizens as they prepare for the town's most anticipated wedding. Spirits are high & conflicts are few: Dooley Barlowe, Tim's foster child, frets about his future in the Kavanaugh household while a prominent parishioner known for her orange marmalade cake frets about being passed over for the honor of creating the wedding cake. To be sure, Father Tim has his own doubts about being able to give himself wholly to two factions -- family & church. All worries are washed away, however, through the power of faith & a happy ending Mitford fans will enjoy.

Reading A Common Life is somewhat akin to enjoying a flashback episode of a favorite television series. The story is enjoyable, but you are left wanting. My only wish is that Jan Karon will continue forward with the Mitford series with tales of Tim & Cynthia & their extended family.

More from Jan Karon: At Home in Mitford, Out to Caanan, A Light in the Window, These High, Green Hills & A New Song.
(11/11/01)

Marjie Cross
A RebeccasReads.com Reviewer

Reviewer's Bio:
Marjie Cross lives in Virginia & works in the Internet technology field. When she is not at the computer she's either out mountain & trail biking or curled up at home reading a mystery or romance novel.