The Christmas Pearl Audiobook By Dorothea Benton Frank cover art

The Christmas Pearl

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The Christmas Pearl

By: Dorothea Benton Frank
Narrated by: Celia Weston
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About this listen

Theodora is the matriarch of a family that, in her opinion, has grown into a bunch of truculent knuckleheads. They've all come together to South Carolina to celebrate Christmas. But this Christmas looks nothing like the extravagant, homey Christmases Theodora grew up with. What happened to the days when the holiday spirit meant tables groaning with home cooked goodies, over-the-top decorations, and long chats in front of the fire with Pearl, her grandmother's housekeeper / manager / caterer / psychiatrist / best friend? Luckily, someone hears Theodora's plea for help and Merle (possibly Pearl?) arrives, pockets filled with Gullah magic and common sense to straighten everyone out.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2007 Dorothea Benton Frank (P)2007 HarperCollins Publishers
Classics & Allegories Contemporary Romance Fiction Romance Small Town & Rural Women's Fiction Celebration Winter Christmas Feel-Good Heartfelt
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What listeners say about The Christmas Pearl

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A Holiday Requirement

I read this book every year. This year I listened to it. The narrator was superb. Her accent was authentic and reminded me of many ladies in my past who passed long ago. I laughed, cried and wished for more! I’ll listen again every year!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Cute story for the Holidays!

Narrator was Great! Loved the accent! Made you feel like you were in Charleston! Thanks!

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A bit of faith and magic bring family together

A friend insisted I get this book as she said it was her favorite Christmas story. I obliged and thanked her! This begins as a story of Christmases long ago in the south with a family who have a black cook/housekeeper named Pearl. Pearl is no subservient woman though. She is the teller's grandmother's best friend. Pearl rules the roost.

Many years later, as the author is well past 80 she remembers the wonder of her childhood Christmases and wants to bring some of that magic to her fractured family. The beginning of their time together is frought with anger, boredom, and disunity. As they wait for a hired cook to help, named Jewel, the teller realizes that the woman who comes is none other than Pearl. She hopes to "get her wings" by this assignment. The rest of the story is by turns funny, painful and totally heartwarming as Pear uses a bit of magic and her wisdom to heal the wounds of a family grown bitter and jaded. The book is lovely. I found myself nodding as I see others around me who have gone sullen and jaded. I wish for all of them a Pearl to bring out the real issues and also reconciliation and a renewed sense of family and love. This will be a part of many Christmases to come for me.

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Feel good Christmas story!

Christmas story about a wonderful believable family and all the issues we have. Very sweet and magical Christmas story, highly recommend.

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The Christmas Pearl is wonderful!

I listen to this book every Christmas. The story and characters are perfect. And Pearl is such a comfort to me as well as Theodora, her thoughts, her memories, her worries, and her Christmas spirit. Highly recommend listening to this book as the reader's accent is on point.

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Wonderful!

The story itself was great. I loved every word of it. Being from the South I have to say It was the narrator that made it!! She was absolutely amazing!!! I am now looking for other books she has narrated.

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Fabulous narration!

Loved the story - especially Theodora and Pearl. Nice short Christmas Story for book club this week

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Magical

This was just the story I needed to generate a little Christmas spirit. It hits all the right notes: Nostalgia, Love, humor, imagination and the eternal hope that the Christmas season evokes without being too sappy. The narrator is delightful, I would swear she was just sitting next to me telling me her life story and the comeuppins her family gets. I think I will listen to this one every year from now on, I have a fondness for Christmas stories and this is my favorite so far.

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love a bit of "magic" at Christmas time

one of my favorite Christmas stories to listen to. this story is heart reflective and nostalgic with lots of Hope for a family plagued with modern problems. love can always find a way!

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A Modern day Mary Poppins

This was a most endearing story. I believe it speaks to the heart of today’s grand parents. The story is an illustration of what many of us wish we could accomplish through love. I compare it to the story of Mary Poppins, who appears in the midst of chaos and heartache and magically enables the characters to see life differently. The character, Rose is vividly brought to life by the writer and the narrator nailed the details of her inflections and demeanor. Lovely Christmas story!!

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