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Home to Holly Springs: The First of the Father Tim Novels Audiobook, by Jan Karon Play Audiobook Sample

Home to Holly Springs: The First of the Father Tim Novels Audiobook

Home to Holly Springs: The First of the Father Tim Novels Audiobook, by Jan Karon Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Scott Sowers Publisher: Penguin Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 7.83 hours at 1.5x Speed 5.88 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Mitford Years Series Release Date: October 2007 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781429592338

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

85

Longest Chapter Length:

13:16 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

03:33 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

08:18 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

20

Other Audiobooks Written by Jan Karon: > View All...

Publisher Description

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.

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"I wish all priests/pastors were like Father Tim! It does not read like a religious book but the subject is brought up gently here and there. The main story is about Father Tim's upbringing in the South. There were many surprising twists and turns."

— Kim (4 out of 5 stars)

Home to Holly Springs Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.810810810810811 out of 53.810810810810811 out of 53.810810810810811 out of 53.810810810810811 out of 53.810810810810811 out of 5 (3.81)
5 Stars: 12
4 Stars: 11
3 Stars: 10
2 Stars: 3
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 (4.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 1
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 2
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — 8/14/2024
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Kate B, 1/31/2023
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fun, sweet book! Easy to read through, yet quite engaging. Definitely a series that a fan of the original Jan Karon-Mitford Series will want to read. This second series based on Father Time (the main character in the Mitford Series) is a bit of a stretch, lacking in original and endearing characters. I never fully appreciated the newer characters as much and was very happy when, at the end, a couple original characters made a brief appearance. This book is necessary, despite it's shortcomings. Reading it helps to answer questions which often came up in the previous books about Father Tim's past. "

    — Moonmomie, 2/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was a nice book. Almost kindof depressing. There seemed to be quite a bit of saying goodbye and letting go. I still absolutely love the characters and the stories. Especially a part about something that happened in the Vietnam war. I researched a little more and found out that part is true. That was very interesting. A good book, but a bit depressing. "

    — Jennifer, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I liked all the Mitford books. This is a little more intense and serious. I learned a lot and thought is well-written and a good read. Good story. "

    — Jane, 2/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Could not really get into it. "

    — Winonaford1, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " You can go home again, evenif it's 38 years later. Jan Karon has written a novel about Father Tim's earlier life. There are reunions and surprises. Those who have enjoyed the Mitford series should also enjoy this book. "

    — Cyndy, 1/23/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I have read all the books in Jan Karon's Mitford series, but this one was by far the best. I loved every minute of it. "

    — Kathy, 1/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A new series by the author of the Mitford series - this book takes you back through Father Tim's memories of his childhood with some surprises of his own history. "

    — Kel, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Even though I knew it would not be a "Mitford book", I was still disappointed. We had Father Tim but none of the other characters I loved. At times, it was kind of depressing altough some good moments reminding us why we are believers. "

    — Aldafan, 1/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I LOVE anything and everything Jan Karon writes! "

    — Robin, 1/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is the best of Jan Karon. Father Tim becomes a real person in this series. He is a good man in the first series,but now we know why he is the way he is. "

    — Sharon, 12/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " confusing storyline - but was an ok read. "

    — Twila, 12/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another light read that fills in the gaps for the characters in the Mitford series. "

    — Sheryn, 11/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " An unsigned note calls Father Tim home to Holly Springs, MS. He's finally able to make peace with the past. Excellent. "

    — Kitty, 10/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It's not very often that I don't finish a book that I start, but I hated this book and I was very disappointed! "

    — Melissa, 10/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I listened to this as an audiobook. I enjoyed it. "

    — Christine, 1/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " One of a highly recommended series of books that fell flat. The pieces all fit together a bit too smoothly. Not a series I will be part of. "

    — Susan, 11/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " There was clear beautiful writing tucked in this book, and most particularly when the main character, Father Tim, spoke of his parents. Those were my favorite parts. "

    — Kathryn, 9/8/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A nice story of a man that visits his childhood home and conquers his fears and faces them only to have a positive experience and one different than he ever imagined. "

    — Jill, 6/9/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " so glad she wrote another book about Father Tim. I love her stories and the easy way she writes. Makes me feel like these characters are real. "

    — Robin, 5/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " If you've read the Mitford series, you'll love this look into the younger days of Fr. Tim. Very sweet book. "

    — Diane, 11/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read all of Jan Karon's books about Father Tim and they are so special! And this book did not disappoint me! I highly recommend it, however it would help to have read some of her other books before reading this one. "

    — Norman, 10/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Loved it and can't wait for the next in the series "

    — Sparky, 6/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is a wonderful book. A must read for those who enjoyed The Mitford Series of books. "

    — Joanne, 6/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another hit by Jan Karon. This was actually my second read of the title and I think I enjoyed it more the second reading than I did the first reading. "

    — Pearson,, 5/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I loved being back with Father Tim as he goes home to settle his past in Mississippi. "

    — Mimi, 4/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " At times I had trouble figuring out who was speaking (when there were 3 people in the conversation.) I always enjoy Jan Karon's books and enjoyed this one. "

    — Ngdecker, 4/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I loved hearing about Father Tim's childhood. Karon did a great job bouncing back and forth from the past to the present. Will read again. "

    — Brooke, 3/29/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " All Mitford books get five stars from me - I love Father Tim! "

    — Katherine, 3/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " There was clear beautiful writing tucked in this book, and most particularly when the main character, Father Tim, spoke of his parents. Those were my favorite parts. "

    — Kathryn, 3/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A quick and enjoyable read. I usually get burned out on series but this was a surprising turn for Jan Karon as her character Fr. Tim goes back to his roots in a little town of Holly Springs "

    — Arlene, 2/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Even though it isn't technically part of the Mitford series, it has the same feel and enough of the Mitford characters that it feels like "home" "

    — Ina, 2/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book is good at clearing up a lot of the secrets from father Tim's childhood. Lots of answers given to questions brought up from the earlier books. "

    — Robin, 2/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Just as good as the previous series. It's great to read a positive book! <br/> <br/> "

    — Melissa, 1/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " If you like Karon's Mitford books you will like this. Read them first.<br/><br/> "

    — Michael, 1/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I was looking forward to reading this because I love the Jan Karon books in the Mitford series. This was the same main character in a new setting, his Mississippi home town. While the Mitford books leave me feeling happy, I found this book to be depressing. "

    — Colleen, 1/6/2011

About Jan Karon

Jan Karon is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the Mitford novels, the Father Tim novels, a popular cookbook, and several books for children. She lives near Mr. Jefferson’s Monticello, a World Heritage site in Central Virginia.

About Scott Sowers

Scott Sowers is an actor and audiobook narrator. AudioFile magazine named him the 2008 Best Voice in Mystery and Suspense. He is the winner of seven Earphones Awards.