Esther's Gift (Mitford Christmas) (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "waddled in a pink chenille robe and wearing a mesh hair net, Esther Bolick lay sprawled in her recliner, staring at the ceiling..." (more)
Key Phrases: Uncle Billy, Lew Boyd, Miss Rose

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Esther isn't so sure that she should spend so much time and money making her famous two-layer marmalade cake for holiday gifts but then she remembers the meaning of Christmas.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Welcome home Mitford fans . . . to Karon's gift for illuminating the struggles that creep into everyday lives--along with a vividly imagined world."

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 37 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult; Gift edition (October 21, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670031216
• ISBN-13: 978-0670031214
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #22,225 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #7 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Authors, A-Z > ( K ) > Karon, Jan
  #65 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Women's Fiction > Domestic Life
  #70 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Holidays > Christmas

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Slight, but enjoyable read, November 15, 2002

By A Customer

This is an attractive book which would be a nice little "extra" present for someone who enjoys the Mitford series. I have to caution potential buyers, though, that the story itself can be read in about 10 minutes, and may appeal most to readers familiar with the Mitford characters (if you're familiar with their various personalities, it adds to your enjoyment of the story--Karon doesn't have room here to go into any character development or much detail about anything.) I think it is worth Amazon's reduced price, but I wouldn't pay full price for it, even if it does contain the recipe for Esther's famous cake!

35 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoy A Holiday Gift From Mitford, November 2, 2002

By	Nancy R. Katz "NancyK18" (NJ) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

As the month of October ends with Thanksgiving right around the corner, our thoughts turn to the holidays celebrated in December. Jan Karon, the author of the highly successful Mitford seies, last year provided her readers with a Christmas story called The Mitford Snowmen. This year she provides us with an even more enjoyable story, Esther's Gift.

Esther Bolick is known far and wide for her orange marmalade cakes which she presents to Mitford friends as holiday gifts. But this year while thinking about buying doilies and the high cost for them, Esther asks her husband, Gene, to calculate the cost for each cake she prepares. Upon hearing the staggering amount of each cake including her labor, Esther begins to scratch names off her list of those she feels has either slighted her or can do without her cake. Then as she listens to the words of Christmas carols and imagine these people opening the door and receiving the cakes from her and her husband, Esther realizes the true spirit of giving during the holiday season. And within a few hours left Esther lovingly prepares these cakes which rest on the doilies she originally thought way too expensive. And then after Church, she and Gene go to deliver the cakes which are very much a part of the Mitford traditions.

This is an enjoyable short read. It will certainly appeal to the many readers who enjoy Jan Karon's books. And for those not familiar with the Mitford series it will serve as a nice introduction to both Mitford and the author Jan Karon. I suggest this as a lovely gift for the holidays or as an addition to any readers holiday books. And as an added treat Esther's recipe is included in the book. I hope you will prepare this cake to give to friends as gifts or will serve it in your homes during the holidays season. And as thoughts turn to shopping, wrapping, cooking and entertaining, I wish to all a happy and healthy holiday season.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Karon Disappointment, November 14, 2002

By A Customer

I hesitate to call it a book -- in essence a SHORT story. If you eliminate the illustrations, the item is about 15-20 pages. I'm disappointed with this Karon release. I feel like I've been exploited. J. Karon is laughing all the way to the bank. SAVE YOUR MONEY!