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Apr 01, 2019DT_kcls rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I have been reading Jan Karon since 1999. When I found her back then I binged on the Mitford series until I caught up, then waited for every new installment and was never disappointed when it came. To Be Where You Are did not evoke that same satisfaction or contentment. I found it very disjointed, jumping from one previously very minor character to another, too often with no context or reason for the jump. I understand that Karon was flushing out new stories of old characters (some of whom I barely remember and why I'll never know). I just hate the way she did it. To Be Where You Are is like gossip in a small town: it meanders around every corner, touches every lamppost and lands on every front door. About halfway through I began to wonder if this might be the last of the Mitford series. I hope not, but I also hope Jan Karon puts her stories back together more tightly or provides more context. I will acknowledge that it is the "Mitford Series" and not the "Fr. Cavanaugh and Family Series", but it was a sloppy way to remind the readers of this and of these 'new' old, previously minor characters. Granted it was a busy holiday week with lots to do, but I started this book on the 20th and struggled through it until finally finishing it on the 28th. Eight days that should have taken two.