Well, so, okay. It still doesn't make 100% sense when Sam narrates some of the Harmony books (including this one) in first person, slipping into omniscient narration about other people's lives at times. Even so, this is one of my favorite novels in the series so far.

Why? Because of the way Sam seriously has to face himself in this one, to consider what the heck he's been doing as a pastor since his early days in the ministry. While I'd say the aftermath of his reckoning eventually comes to an open-ended fizzle-out in a way, that particular door is indeed open now. So it'll be all the more interesting if it leads to a difference in the following novels.

Like every other Harmony book, this one had me laughing out loud plenty of times. And the ending is a heartbreakingly beautiful one. ( )

Gulley's books are wonderful! You should read the Harmony series form the beginning only for the characters! Each book gets funnier and funnier because of the characters. I was almost on the floor laughing at Mrs. Hinshaw's trash bag revenge against her husband.These books are gems for the laughter and the subtle lessons the author brings to them.It is insight into ourselves.
If you are having a bad day these are the perfect books to read!
No other books make me smile,laugh,chuckle and giggle the way Harmony series do! ( )

I really enjoy this series. Gulley writes with such humor and tenderness about these residents of a small town in Indiana, whom we have come to love. ( )

Philip Gulley's Harmony series follows the daily lives of Quaker pastor Sam Gardner and his small town Indiana flock. Much of the humor in these novels comes through recognizing others -- or perhaps ourselves -- in the idiosyncrasies of the church and/or community members. In this fourth novel in the series, Sam, during a time of self-reflection, realizes that he has spent his career trying to please people by saying what they want to hear instead of speaking from his convictions. The contents of the novel suggest that Gulley has gone through a similar process. In the previous novels, Gulley illustrated church politics through controversies over church facilities or special events. In this book, Gulley addresses controversial political and theological issues in a way that might alienate some of his faithful readers. Although there were some very funny passages in the book, I sensed undercurrents of frustration and anger that detracted from my reading pleasure. ( )

Quaker pastor Sam Gardner is back, and the fundamentalist members of his congregation are testing his patience. He must hide his Progressive Christianity magazines and his true self for fear of offending the outspoken members of his flock. I really enjoyed this book. I would not think pastors like Sam Gardner existed if I had not met one in my lifetime. (Actually, he was a priest. I attended the Catholic Church until he left. His sermons were so cerebral and reasonable and full of comfort!) The Harmony novels are gentle comedies, and I look forward to reading more in the series.