Title: A Light in the Window
Author: Jan Karon
First published January 1, 1995
480 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781589190634 (ISBN10: 1589190637)
Rating: 4.24
Overview
Fans of Jan Karon’s beloved series will delight in the heartwarming tale told in A Light in the Window. This charming novel follows the life of Father Tim, a small-town rector with a big heart.
As he navigates the daily challenges of his parishioners and the unexpected arrival of a new neighbor, Father Tim learns the true meaning of love, community, and faith. Packaged with a new Reader’s Guide, this book is perfect for group discussion or personal reflection.
Don’t miss out on this delightful addition to the Mitford series.
About the Author
Jan Karon was born in 1937 as Janice Meredith Wilson and grew up on a farm near Lenoir, North Carolina. From a young age, Karon knew she wanted to be a writer and even wrote her first novel at the age of 10.
She won a local high school short-story contest that same year. As a teenager, Karon got married and had a daughter named Candace.
At the age of 18, Karon began working as a receptionist for an advertising agency in Charlotte, North Carolina. She left samples of her writing on her boss’s desk and eventually caught his attention with her talent.
Karon went on to have a successful career in advertising, winning awards for ad agencies across the United States. She became a creative vice president at the well-known McKinney & Silver in Raleigh and won the prestigious Stephen Kelly Award from the Magazine Publishers of America for the year’s best print campaign.
Throughout her career in advertising, Karon held onto her dream of becoming an author. At 50 years old, she left the advertising industry and moved to Blowing Rock, North Carolina, to pursue her passion.
Karon struggled to begin writing a novel until one night she had a mental image of an Episcopal priest walking down a village street. She became curious about the priest and started writing.
Karon published weekly installments about Father Tim in her local newspaper, The Blowing Rocket, which doubled its circulation. As Karon says, “It certainly worked for Mr. Dickens.”
Karon’s Father Tim stories became her first Mitford novel, At Home in Mitford. The book has been nominated for an ABBY (American Booksellers Book of the Year Award) three times and is the only book ever nominated for three consecutive years.
Subsequent novels in the series have landed on the New York Times bestseller list, with some reaching the number one spot. Karon has also published two Christmas-themed books, a cookbook, and a compilation of Father Tim’s favorite quotes.
She has written two children’s books and an illustrated book for all ages.
Karon’s aim is to give readers a large, extended family they can call their own through her character-driven work. Although Light From Heaven is the final novel in the Mitford series, Karon has written the Mitford Bedside Companion, which will be released in the fall of 2006.
As Karon says, “It has everything in it but the kitchen sink.”
Editoral Review
A Light in the Window by Jan Karon is a heartwarming tale set in the fictional town of Mitford, North Carolina. Karon, a New York Times bestselling author, weaves a story that is both charming and thought-provoking.
The novel, which was first published in 1995, is the second in a series of nine books, known as the Mitford Series. The genre of the book is a blend of contemporary Christian fiction and drama.
The story is centered around the life of Father Tim, an Episcopal priest, who has recently retired. Father Tim is a man of God who is down to earth, humble and kind-hearted.
He is the anchor of the Mitford community and a father figure to many of its residents. The novel begins with Father Tim’s struggle to adjust to his retirement, as he is used to having a busy schedule.
However, a new neighbor moves in next door, and Father Tim becomes involved in her life. The neighbor, Cynthia Coppersmith, is a feisty and independent woman who needs Father Tim’s help to find her own path in life.
The book’s setting is a small southern town with a quirky cast of characters who add to the novel’s charm. The conflicts within the book are not explosive or dramatic, but rather they are small and intimate.
The themes of the book revolve around community, faith, love, and loss. The novel does not preach, but rather it explores the human experience with honesty and empathy.
Karon’s writing is immaculate, and her character development is exceptional. The pacing of the book is steady, and the plot structure is well-crafted.
The strength of the book is in its ability to connect with readers emotionally. A Light in the Window is a book that will touch your heart and leave you feeling uplifted and hopeful.
Although the book is categorized as Christian fiction, it is accessible to readers of all faiths. Mitford series is a celebration of life, and it will resonate with readers who are looking for a heartfelt and meaningful story.
However, readers who prefer fast-paced action or intense drama may find it a bit slow. Overall, A Light in the Window is a beautifully written novel that showcases Karon’s talent as a storyteller.
The book is entertaining, heartwarming, and thought-provoking. It is a must-read for fans of the Mitford series and anyone who is looking for a story about the power of love, community, and faith.
I give the book a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
