Come Rain or Come Shine (by Jan Karon)

(Amazon UK link)

I have very much enjoyed re-reading Jan Karon’s ‘Mitford’ series (including the books set outside Mitford) and have just finished the 13th in the series, ‘Come rain or come shine’. I first read it five-and-a-half years ago, shortly after I was given it, and recalled it as a pleasant read. I knew the story was about Dooley and Lace’s wedding and the run-up to it - but I couldn’t remember any details.

It turns out that there wasn’t much plot; the book is essentially about the wedding, but these are character-based books and having re-read them all within the past year or so, it’s like seeing old friends again each time I pick up another of the books. I like Father Tim and Cynthia so much, and it was good to get to know Lace a bit better in this book, though Dooley somehow remains a bit shadowy - likeable, hard-working, but hard to get to know.

Father Tim and his family are staying in Meadowgate, where the wedding is to take place, and the book begins a few months before the actual wedding. Many of the Mitford folk appear again, with a little more of their stories; some are now installed at Meadowgate, others are mentioned when Tim goes to visit them and it’s pleasant to catch up a little with them. But most of the action revolves around the wedding preparation and those involved.

The book takes place about five years after the end of the previous one. Dooley has now finished his training as a vet, and is going to be taking over the Meadowgate practice where he has volunteered and worked alongside the former owner. He and Lace have waited all this time, Lace working with small children and both of them maturing a little and moving on from their very difficult, neglected childhoods. It’s mentioned in passing that the dog Barnabus and the cat Violet have died; but it’s handled well, Tim mentioning them in passing, with nostalgia, but clearly having come to terms with them.

It’s a bit different from the earlier Mitford books in that there are several viewpoint characters rather than only Father Tim. Lace is a significant one; she’s quite insecure, writing her thoughts in a journal, and beginning to panic as the day draws closer. She and Dooley, despite his inheritance, have opted for a ‘simple’ wedding, just fifty guests, and everyone is bringing food to share. But the grass has to be planted and mowed, the tables have to be set out, they have to think about cutlery and crockery and ordering drinks, about tablecloths and parking… and Lace isn’t sure she’ll ever manage to find a wedding dress that’s attractive enough to look good, and yet simple enough for her tastes.

There’s also the mystery of ‘Jack Tyler’ - the first time I read this, I had no idea who this mysterious person might be, and had forgotten the details this time, too. Suffice it to say it’s a very poignant subplot, one which the author handles extremely well, I thought.

Overall I found this compulsive reading despite there being no real surprises this time. I finished the book in just a couple of days. It’s warm, it’s affirming of life and marriage, and the characters come to life even more than in the earlier books. They’re such a wonderful mix, with their foibles and irritations; yet overall so very likeable.

There’s a Christian theme underlying, as with all Jan Karon’s books, but since the main character is an Anglican priest, it’s not surprising and is so well-written that it doesn’t come across as pushy or cringeworthy at all.

It’s best to have read at least some of the earlier books in the series before embarking on ‘Come rain or come shine’, as the cast of characters is quite large, and it would be quite confusing to anyone who had not become familiar with Mitford and its residents. But with that caveat, I would recommend this highly to anyone who likes gentle character-based fiction - and definitely to fans of Father Tim.

Review copyright 2022 Sue's Book Reviews