The Christmas Pearl
by: Dorothea Benton Frank
Published by: William Morrow
Buy From Amazon.com
Reviewed by Andrea Sisco
It’s Christmas in Charleston, South Carolina and ninety-three-year-old Theodora Bryson reminisces about the magical years when Christmas was the fragrance of baked treats lingering throughout the house, beautiful decorations and homemade gifts. It was a time when friends and family practiced generosity and kindness and celebrated the reason for the season.
But Theodora’s heart aches. Her family (children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren) have put aside the important things of life–including, but not limited to kindness, manners and good behavior. They dislike each other and show it in everything they say and do.
It looks like Christmas will be just like any other day. But Theodora longs for the olden days when Pearl, her beloved Gullah housekeeper, organized Christmas. Alas, Pearl has been gone many years and she can’t help bring Theodora’s dysfunctional family together.
Do you believe in miracles? Theodora has just about lost hope when a special Christmas visitor arrives with love, good common sense and enough Gullah magic to make Theodora’s Christmas the best ever.
I love Christmas. I love all of the pageantry, the food, family, friends and gifts. But I especially love the meaning for the season. And Dorothea Benton Frank gives us the magic of a southern Christmas in A Christmas Pearl. If you want to feel good, to be reminded of how we should behave toward each other every day of the year, if you want the charm and wit of a seasoned writer, The Christmas Pearl is just what Santa ordered.
Armchair Interviews says: A Christmas Pearl is a must-read Christmas novella. Keep one on your shelf and the give one to those you love. You’ll spread the Gullah magic.
Author’s Web site: http://www.DotFrank.com
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