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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this book, the story and the characters, however I found the story short and that there could have been more to it. I felt as though even though the story was good, I felt like I was wanting more for the characters. The writing in itself was good, but some of it I didn’t get the references to, maybe because it was written towards the older generation or possibly because some of the references were to do with America, either way some parts I found confusing. Other than these points the story was short and sweet.
Loveable characters:
No
This book is The Magical Negro trope come to life.
Pearl, a long dead former domestic worker in the home of our main character, 93 year old Theodora, comes back to save Christmas.
Yes, really.
This rich white family has been corrupted by a love of money and lack of strong male leadership, so a poor Black woman visits from heaven to fix it.
It includes such gems as comparing the Christmas Eve fog to the “splendor of thick Confederate grey flannel” and the main character excitedly stating “Before you could say “Robert E Lee” I could smell roast beef.”
There’s so much more problematic shit packed into this 3 hour audiobook, it would take me that long to type it all out.
AVOID
Pearl, a long dead former domestic worker in the home of our main character, 93 year old Theodora, comes back to save Christmas.
Yes, really.
This rich white family has been corrupted by a love of money and lack of strong male leadership, so a poor Black woman visits from heaven to fix it.
It includes such gems as comparing the Christmas Eve fog to the “splendor of thick Confederate grey flannel” and the main character excitedly stating “Before you could say “Robert E Lee” I could smell roast beef.”
There’s so much more problematic shit packed into this 3 hour audiobook, it would take me that long to type it all out.
AVOID
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is about ninety-three year old Theodora inviting her dysfunctioanl family to her home in South Carolina for Christmas. The matriach is melancholy about Christmases past and wishes her family could show a little more respect for one another and realize how important the precious time spent with family is.
A cook is hired for the family's Christmas meal and a substitute is called in to fill in for the original cook when there is an emergency in her family. The replacement is none other than Theodora's family's cook of her childhood, Pearl. Pearl has come to earn her wings and whip Theodora's family into shape.
There are many wonderful lessons within this book, but somehow the book felt 'flat' to me. There are a lot of characters to keep straight with a lot of intricacies within their relationships. I spread this book out over a long period of time, so maybe that is why I felt a bit 'disconnected' from the characters.
I appreciate the book's idea of a loved one coming back to help set a family straight and be appreciative of one another, but it just felt very forced to me.
A cook is hired for the family's Christmas meal and a substitute is called in to fill in for the original cook when there is an emergency in her family. The replacement is none other than Theodora's family's cook of her childhood, Pearl. Pearl has come to earn her wings and whip Theodora's family into shape.
There are many wonderful lessons within this book, but somehow the book felt 'flat' to me. There are a lot of characters to keep straight with a lot of intricacies within their relationships. I spread this book out over a long period of time, so maybe that is why I felt a bit 'disconnected' from the characters.
I appreciate the book's idea of a loved one coming back to help set a family straight and be appreciative of one another, but it just felt very forced to me.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book started out really strong, but just didn't stick the landing for me personally. I loved the narrator's voice and the sense of personality the prose gave, but in terms of plot development iand the messaging it fell short. The moral wound up being "be more traditional" instead of pushing for kindness or actual growth. Furthermore, I think this book was 2006 woke, but it's 2025 problematic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Infidelity, Misogyny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated