Christmas in Mitford Gift Set: The Mitford Snowmen and Esther's Gift (Audio) [Box set] [Hardcover]

Jan Karon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 10, 2003

For the past two Christmases, readers have flocked home to Mitford and made The Mitford Snowmen and Esther's Gift runaway bestsellers. Brimming with the holiday spirit, an old-fashioned snowman-building contest, plenty of hot chocolate, and Esther's famous marmalade cake, this new boxed set of Mitford treats is guaranteed to fill readers-and stockings-with contagious good cheer.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Esther Bolick, mayor of Karon's beloved make-believe Mitford, bakes a marmalade cake for Christmas that is as sweet as her hometown. Her story, Esther's Gift, and The Mitford Snowmen-both included in this holiday collection-are previously published, stocking stuffer-sized narratives that Karon's fans have mostly likely already consumed with zeal, but the title novel is fresh entertainment that Mitford aficionados can enjoy while they do their own holiday baking. Sounding like Santa himself might, reader McDonough rumbles out these cheery tales, using dramatic pauses, lilting character voices and, at times, simple a cappella renditions of hymns to convey the upbeat innocence of the town and its residents. Choir music by Journey of the Soul fills the gaps between the novel and short stories, soaring as high as listeners' emotions will when Father Tim presents a restored nativity scene to his wife, Cynthia, on Christmas Eve. Though this audio production may be too cloying for some listeners, others will be buoyed by McDonough's jovial narration and the novel's inspirational themes.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult (November 10, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670783498
• ISBN-13: 978-0670783496
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,376 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars for the Baker at heart..., January 10, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Christmas in Mitford Gift Set: The Mitford Snowmen and Esther's Gift (Audio) (Hardcover)

I'm just a 32 yr.old Mom & wife, for now.,this is for the Baker at heart...
I'd heard of these books, but couldn't remember the titles , nor the author. When I finally figured out which books they were, and found the books, I orded the gift set, 'The Mitford Snowmen', and 'Esther's gift', for my self, just to 'try a few out', without buying the whole set. A friend said I'd love them, because I love to bake, and am also an avid reader. I love to try new and decadent desserts, to always top whatever my previous triumph had been. These 2 small books were a joy to read, and I am looking forward to reading all the others, as well as passing them on to other friends or family to read. Esther seems to be just like me, with all her worries, and her heart is always in the right place. I must say that I was a bit dissappointed at the short length of the books (they are only short stories), but I thoroughly enjoyed them. I look forward to reading the rest of the series, as I know that they are larger books. The Marmalade cake is GLORIOUS!! Never have I had any cake so wonderful. I recommend this to any woman who enjoys good, old-fashioned home-town stories; whom love to entertain, cook, and hear stories about the kind of characters we can all relate to.

Also recommended: Katherine Hepburn biography; 'Kate Remembered',any and all 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' books, all the Anne Rice trilogies,Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit. 'Taste of Home','Reminisce ','Cooking Light',&'Gourmet'magazine

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars TINY TREASURE, October 24, 2005

By 

GAIL BROCKETT "Pierponter" (Northeast corner of Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christmas in Mitford Gift Set: The Mitford Snowmen and Esther's Gift (Audio) (Hardcover)

These two small books are nicely illustrated. Each book contains one very short, heartwarming story. (They can be read in about ten minutes.) The stories are enjoyable and well written. It's important that the buyer realizes that they are not novels, like the rest of the Mitford series.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OH WOW!!, August 17, 2004

By 

Tonya Speelman "Hoarder of books" (Goldendale WA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Christmas in Mitford Gift Set: The Mitford Snowmen and Esther's Gift (Audio) (Hardcover)

We got the recipe and a wonderful book to read every Christmas to remind you what is important. Esther's Gift is very short but the perfect book to get you in the mood for Christmas. I will remember to read it every year!