The Christmas Pearl
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Product Description
This is a heartwarming and magical Christmas story filled with Dorothea Benton Frank's signature warmth, humour, and Southern charm.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Dorothea Benton Frank is the author of seven bestsellers--her first was SULLIVAN'S ISLAND and her newest is THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS. In her newest THE CHRISTMAS PEARL she explores the story of a fractured family --- their rivalries, insecurities, secrets, and lies --- and how, through the desperation of Theodora and the magic of Pearl, they rediscover their deep devotion to each other. Pull up a chair to the perfectly set holiday table while Frank shows the grand old house as it breathes and rattles in protest and her characters do the same. But despite all their problems, the truth is: love never dies. This volume includes the recipes that bring Theodora's family together and vintage photographs of winters gone by. It's a classic holiday story, unique because of its Gullah influences, and a contemplation of mysterious things we may never quite understand. Also, if you missed reading Tino Georgiou's masterpiece--The Fates, go and read it.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Promising start with an elderly lady reminiscing about Christmases past but went downhill rapidly. It was far too over sentimental for my tastes. Seems to be an attempt to imitate Dickens but fails dismally. My main complaint with the book is the way that the characters changed overnight and forgave each other for all the hurt they had done to each other. I know the underlying message that the author is aiming for is one of love and forgiveness but this story was far too schmaltzy and unbelievable for me.
Its redeeming feature is the mouth-watering recipes at the back of the book. I have yet to try them out but they sound delicious.
Its redeeming feature is the mouth-watering recipes at the back of the book. I have yet to try them out but they sound delicious.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
44 reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
lighthearted whimsical holiday family drama
31 Oct 2007
Format:Hardcover
Ninety-three years old Theodora still lives in her family home in Charleston just like her mother and grandmother did before her. Although the bones ache and the memory is not quite as keen as it once was, she still her faculties and wants to throw a Christmas gala for her family like the ones her mom used to host back in the 1920s. No one wants to attend, but none disappoint Theodora as the nonagenarian is the recognized family matriarch.
Thus the disgruntled family invades Theodora's Charleston home, but the gala is not anything like what she remembers as the stores do the baking (pre-packaged fruitcake is heresy) and the decorations come in packages instead of the family making them. Even more significant is where is Pearl, her grandmother's long deceased housekeeper, to serve as a drill sergeant making the truculent attendees behave and sing carols while the servant sang gospels? This is Christmas so sometimes a bit of magic is needed, this time Gullah magic, occurs. The ghost of Pearl arrives to bring order to the chaotic troops and Theodora takes out family Yuletide heirlooms hoping to bring good cheer to this distempered group.
THE CHRISTMAS PEARL is a lighthearted whimsical holiday family drama that fans of Dorothea Benton Frank's Lowcountry tales will appreciate. The novella stars an interesting elderly person who believes her family fails to understand what Christmas means and also wants nostalgically to catch a little of her past. With mouth watering recipes to round out the tale, readers will enjoy this fun holiday tale.
Harriet Klausner
Thus the disgruntled family invades Theodora's Charleston home, but the gala is not anything like what she remembers as the stores do the baking (pre-packaged fruitcake is heresy) and the decorations come in packages instead of the family making them. Even more significant is where is Pearl, her grandmother's long deceased housekeeper, to serve as a drill sergeant making the truculent attendees behave and sing carols while the servant sang gospels? This is Christmas so sometimes a bit of magic is needed, this time Gullah magic, occurs. The ghost of Pearl arrives to bring order to the chaotic troops and Theodora takes out family Yuletide heirlooms hoping to bring good cheer to this distempered group.
THE CHRISTMAS PEARL is a lighthearted whimsical holiday family drama that fans of Dorothea Benton Frank's Lowcountry tales will appreciate. The novella stars an interesting elderly person who believes her family fails to understand what Christmas means and also wants nostalgically to catch a little of her past. With mouth watering recipes to round out the tale, readers will enjoy this fun holiday tale.
Harriet Klausner
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
FAMILY CHRISTMAS STORY PLUS RECIPES
22 Nov 2007
Format:Audio CD
There's little that will get you into the holiday spirit as quickly as this warm story of a family at Christmas time. The audio opens with a carol sung by a choir and then eases into the voice of Theodora, a Charleston matriarch. Her narrative is winningly rendered by Celia Weston, an American stage, screen, and television actress who is well known for her character roles. Noted for her performances as Southern women, she brings a slight South Carolina accent to this reading and a mature voice, quite appropriate for a 93-year-old woman. Very pleasant and authentic listening!
Thoedora, who describes herself as an "old nanny goat" but one who would prefer to be referred to as a "stylish dowager." has managed to gather her family for Christmas. Now, she may be a nonagenarian but she's a feisty one even though her bones creak "like loose floorboards" when she wakes up in the morning. It takes only a minute for her to realize that this celebration will be nothing at all like the ones she remembers - peaceful, loving, happy as everyone enjoyed the cooking and care of housekeeper, Pearl. While Theodora certainly realized that the world had dramatically changed since her youth, she was distressed to see her family at odds and apparently unaware of the true meaning of
Christmas.
But, what in the world, if anything could she do to bring them all together?
This audio edition includes 14 tempting recipes that you can print.
Enjoy!
- Gail Cooke
Thoedora, who describes herself as an "old nanny goat" but one who would prefer to be referred to as a "stylish dowager." has managed to gather her family for Christmas. Now, she may be a nonagenarian but she's a feisty one even though her bones creak "like loose floorboards" when she wakes up in the morning. It takes only a minute for her to realize that this celebration will be nothing at all like the ones she remembers - peaceful, loving, happy as everyone enjoyed the cooking and care of housekeeper, Pearl. While Theodora certainly realized that the world had dramatically changed since her youth, she was distressed to see her family at odds and apparently unaware of the true meaning of
Christmas.
But, what in the world, if anything could she do to bring them all together?
This audio edition includes 14 tempting recipes that you can print.
Enjoy!
- Gail Cooke
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Heartwarming Story of a Christmas Miracle
19 Dec 2007
Format:Hardcover
Never was a family more in need of healing than the family of Theodora. The South Carolina matriarch gathers her daughter, son, their spouses as well as their adult children and grandchildren for the Christmas holiday. All are battling personal demons and not in the best of moods. Theodora, however, at the age of 93 realizes this could be her last Christmas and longs for a traditional Christmas like she remembered in her youth. The live tree with its nostalgic ornaments, fresh greenery draping the halls, the manger set in the front yard, and the family Bible on the table opened to the recounting of the first Christmas in Luke are what Theodora has in mind. Enough of letting her offspring get away with an aluminum tree filled with garish ornaments and no room for a manger set.
It will take a visit from Heaven to restore this family's well-being and make them understand the true meaning of peace on earth, good will toward all. And a visit from Heaven, with lots of Gullah magic thrown in, is exactly what Dot Frank gives her readers. You'll slip easily into the Christmas spirit as the heavenly Pearl turns the dismal house into a holiday wonderland and you'll pick up loads of ideas for decorating yourself. Did you know that corn oil is the best way to make magnolia leaves shine or that soaking rope overnight is the key to a gorgeous garland? One word of caution: this book will make you ravenous for holiday goodies. I became exceedingly hungry while reading this in the car as we headed to my mother-in-law's for a pre-Christmas visit. I was glad to find fifteen delicious recipes at the end of the story, all the favorites Theodora's family was able to enjoy. Everything from the she-crab soup and cheese straws to mint juleps, glazed and fruited ham, and more is there in easy-to-follow recipes. So pour yourself a cup of Christmas cheer and curl up with this delightful fantasy and make a wish for your own Christmas Pearl.
It will take a visit from Heaven to restore this family's well-being and make them understand the true meaning of peace on earth, good will toward all. And a visit from Heaven, with lots of Gullah magic thrown in, is exactly what Dot Frank gives her readers. You'll slip easily into the Christmas spirit as the heavenly Pearl turns the dismal house into a holiday wonderland and you'll pick up loads of ideas for decorating yourself. Did you know that corn oil is the best way to make magnolia leaves shine or that soaking rope overnight is the key to a gorgeous garland? One word of caution: this book will make you ravenous for holiday goodies. I became exceedingly hungry while reading this in the car as we headed to my mother-in-law's for a pre-Christmas visit. I was glad to find fifteen delicious recipes at the end of the story, all the favorites Theodora's family was able to enjoy. Everything from the she-crab soup and cheese straws to mint juleps, glazed and fruited ham, and more is there in easy-to-follow recipes. So pour yourself a cup of Christmas cheer and curl up with this delightful fantasy and make a wish for your own Christmas Pearl.
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