In an easy-to-read style, Karon gently satirizes Father Tim and the citizens of Mitford. Her satire ranges from gentle humor to bitter irony as she portrays the effects parental abandonment can have on a child. This contributes not only to the novel's humor but also to its pathos.

Interests and concerns are typical of small town southern life. At the Main Street Grill, livermush, grits, and gravy are standard fare on the menu. In dialogue, the characters speak with a provincial North Carolina dialect.

Karon writes from a third-person point of view, limited to Father Tim's heart and mind. The effect of having a limited point of view keeps a reader focused on Father Tim, his initial reactions to the behavior of others, and his acceptance of them, just as they are. This point of view also allows insight into his embarrassment and uncertainty over his relationships with...