Customer Reviews

The Christmas Pearl

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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

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

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.

I have been a Dorothea Benton Frank fan since her first book came out. I find her stories fiesty, fun and well written. I was thrilled to see her Christmas Pearl in my local bookstore but was disappointed with the read. While I agree with her values regarding old fashioned holidays, I found this book preachy and almost condescending. It seemed rather thrown together and not up to par with her previous books. Most of her characters are obnoxious and I just couldn't find the magic in this book.

I love Dot Benton Frank's books and think of them as books with wonderfully curious characters, humor, sorrow, and tremendous charm of place. Usually the book focuses a great deal on her protagonist and leaves the other characters thinly developed. I felt this book while filled with tremendous holiday warmth and charm was just too thin on character development even for Dot Benton Frank books which I usually give very high ratings to, accepting them for what they are...great fun and fast paced and filled with charm but not huge literary achievments in writing or character development. I realize that was a long sentence. Still...the characters in this book made me think of my childhood and special people that I wish would come back even just for a day. I think the book really hit the nail on the head emphasizing just how materialistic our holidays have become and how we rush around and forget that what is most important are people and being together with those we love. I loved this book even though I gave it a 3 star rating and I can't wait to read it again next Christmas just for the sheer warmth of feeling and charm. My problem with the book was the characters changed overnight in a way that nothing other than Christmas magic could have accomplished. Lots of charm and warmth here but super thin on plot and character development so for that I gave it a 3.

It's been a few weeks since I "read" this audio version of The Christmas Pearl, but I do know that I loved this story! This is somewhat of a ghost story, so that was something that I enjoyed alot. This was one of my favorite Christmas stories this year. I'll not waste your time telling you what it's about, as Amazon has given you a wonderful description of the book. I will tell you that the audio version is fabulous! When my CD's ran out, I wished there were more. I fell in love with Theodora and Pearl. They changed my Christmas this year. My heart felt alot more full of the true spirit of the season. I highly recommend this story to you. JMHO //(*_*)\\

The Christmas Pearl

If you're GRITS (Girls Raised in the South), you'll really understand the premise of this book. But it's a great, feel-good read for anyone who enjoys nostalgia and appreciates the wisdom that comes with age.

Picture yourself rocking on a porch chair in coastal South Carolina lazily thinking about how your family is a blend of history that spins beyond your understanding. Then start this easy read which will give a heartwarming perspective.

This wonderful story truly is in the Christmas story tradition Dickens set over a hundred years ago. The story contains a great message. There is a ghostly visitor. At the story's end hearts are changed and conflicts resolved.

This is the first book I have read by Dorthea Benton Frank. It will not be the last! She is a great writer!

I alos enjoyed Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices--another Dickens-like story in a modern setting. Inspiring!

Dorthea Frank is my absolute favorite author, and have had many laughs, and will cherish the memories of her books. But, yes,,, but,,, I just can't get interested in this book. I decorated all weekend, put up several trees, lit a fire, made hot cocoa,, and was allcomfy and cozy and ready to read and just knew it was going to be a wonderful read... but I kept wondering when was it going to get better~ when was something going to happen etc. I soooooo wanted this to be wonderful like her previous books, but it just wasn't there for me. I started the book over a week ago.