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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very short and sweet little book. Good to get into the holiday spirit
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There were aspects of this book that I liked. But they were few and far between, and there were way more things I hated.
I'm fairly certain we are supposed to like the main character. I'm not sure why, but the book is written in a way that suggests that we're supposed to be on her side. I frankly couldn't stand her. Part of this is that she is in her 90s, so her views of women and their roles are seriously skewed. And I can accept that from a literary perspective. But this book was written in 2007, and seriously, can we not go ahead and move past the idea that if a man is cheating, it's the woman's fault for not being pretty enough or appealing enough to him?? I could move past the constant complaining about technology and wistful reminiscing over how much better things were "back in her day". But the view of women in this book was really hard to read.
Then there's the family. They are all terrible. Now we're supposed to think they are all terrible, so the author succeeds here in making us feel that. But also we're supposed to buy that by the end one magical ... housekeeper (look, I'm going to get to this in a sec, but this is so CRINGE!) has the ability to fix everything including infidelity, drug addiction, etc in any kind of satisfying way?? I get it's a magic Christmas story, but this is just ridiculous. I wanted all of these people to get divorced and put everyone out of their misery.
And then there's Pearl. She is written so stereotypically, I have no words. She's sent back as an angel to fix this family, and I get that the main character sees her as her "friend" and not as ... God, I'm trying so hard not to use this horribly offensive word here, but I can't get around it. She's a mammy. And it's awful. I swear, I had to look at the publication date 3 times to believe this was written in 2007 and not the 60s or 70s. It's just terrible. The character isn't terrible. In fact she is one of the only likable things in the whole book. But the whole idea of her and what she is there to do... It just made me SO uncomfortable.
At the end of the book, the one character who is separated from her husband... Well the husband shows up at the door, and the narrator tells us that he's black in just the grossest way possible, and seriously? Is this meant to tell us that she's not racist because one of the characters married a black guy? I just can't even with this part.
And finally (I swear, I'm stopping after this), the sweet boy (the only one of the great grandchildren who isn't horrible) who is clearly dyslexic gets "fixed" by the angel, and I wanted to throw things. He also reads from the family bible, and if I cared any more about this drivel than I do, I would have gone and looked up what version that the author chooses to quote here was published, because I'm certain that the only version that this family bible could be is the King James, and that was 100% not what he was reading... But at that point I was just done.
I did feel like the author got the "old Charleston" aspects of the book right. And I especially liked them waking up to snow on Christmas morning. As a charlestonian myself, I could see the magic in this, and it was really well written. Oh, and the audiobook narrator was great.
And honestly the snow is the only reason this book is getting 2 stars instead of 1. I know I'm in the minority on this, and maybe I'm just not DBF's target audience. And that's fine. But it's going to take me a while to get over the fact that I read this. I'm really glad it wasn't any longer, or I wouldn't have made it.
I'm fairly certain we are supposed to like the main character. I'm not sure why, but the book is written in a way that suggests that we're supposed to be on her side. I frankly couldn't stand her. Part of this is that she is in her 90s, so her views of women and their roles are seriously skewed. And I can accept that from a literary perspective. But this book was written in 2007, and seriously, can we not go ahead and move past the idea that if a man is cheating, it's the woman's fault for not being pretty enough or appealing enough to him?? I could move past the constant complaining about technology and wistful reminiscing over how much better things were "back in her day". But the view of women in this book was really hard to read.
Then there's the family. They are all terrible. Now we're supposed to think they are all terrible, so the author succeeds here in making us feel that. But also we're supposed to buy that by the end one magical ... housekeeper (look, I'm going to get to this in a sec, but this is so CRINGE!) has the ability to fix everything including infidelity, drug addiction, etc in any kind of satisfying way?? I get it's a magic Christmas story, but this is just ridiculous. I wanted all of these people to get divorced and put everyone out of their misery.
And then there's Pearl. She is written so stereotypically, I have no words. She's sent back as an angel to fix this family, and I get that the main character sees her as her "friend" and not as ... God, I'm trying so hard not to use this horribly offensive word here, but I can't get around it. She's a mammy. And it's awful. I swear, I had to look at the publication date 3 times to believe this was written in 2007 and not the 60s or 70s. It's just terrible. The character isn't terrible. In fact she is one of the only likable things in the whole book. But the whole idea of her and what she is there to do... It just made me SO uncomfortable.
At the end of the book, the one character who is separated from her husband... Well the husband shows up at the door, and the narrator tells us that he's black in just the grossest way possible, and seriously? Is this meant to tell us that she's not racist because one of the characters married a black guy? I just can't even with this part.
And finally (I swear, I'm stopping after this), the sweet boy (the only one of the great grandchildren who isn't horrible) who is clearly dyslexic gets "fixed" by the angel, and I wanted to throw things. He also reads from the family bible, and if I cared any more about this drivel than I do, I would have gone and looked up what version that the author chooses to quote here was published, because I'm certain that the only version that this family bible could be is the King James, and that was 100% not what he was reading... But at that point I was just done.
I did feel like the author got the "old Charleston" aspects of the book right. And I especially liked them waking up to snow on Christmas morning. As a charlestonian myself, I could see the magic in this, and it was really well written. Oh, and the audiobook narrator was great.
And honestly the snow is the only reason this book is getting 2 stars instead of 1. I know I'm in the minority on this, and maybe I'm just not DBF's target audience. And that's fine. But it's going to take me a while to get over the fact that I read this. I'm really glad it wasn't any longer, or I wouldn't have made it.
A cute story about love and redemption. Theodora reflects on her childhood growing up in the south when the holidays were as much about the process of preparing for Christmas Day and following family traditions as it was about the actual day of gift giving. There was reverence in decorating the house, baking cookies, the process of filling out the beautiful crèche, and enjoying time with family. Pearl was the family housekeeper who acted as Theodora's surrogate mom, and who kept the house running well. Theodora's memories centered around Pearl who was simply a part of the family. Theodora is now a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Without Pearl, the home seems to have lost the sparkle and spirit it once had. Theodora's family is a hot mess. No one gets along, and there are strained relations among siblings and cousins. What the house needs is a Pearl of wisdom and a visit from an old friend from beyond to help get the family back on track.
This is a sweet holiday story that will help remind the reader what the season is all about. Life is too short to dwell on what divides us. Perhaps we all need a Christmas Pearl.
This is a sweet holiday story that will help remind the reader what the season is all about. Life is too short to dwell on what divides us. Perhaps we all need a Christmas Pearl.
A beautiful Christmas story. Great on audio.
What a beautiful story told in dual timelines from Theodora’s childhood to her own adulthood when she has kids and grandkids.
Pearl was the housekeeper in Theodora’s home when she was a child and she remembers her fondly. When her own family starts to fall apart - fighting between themselves and spewing mean remarks at each, and forgetting the true meaning of Christmas- Theadora gets a bit of Christmas magic at her door - her beloved Pearl reincarnated and here to save Christmas and the whole family!
Over two days of cooking and holiday activities, Pearl manages to reach each individual of this family and help them with their struggles.
This book gave me all the feels. I absolutely loved reading about how everyone regains their Christmas spirit and learns it’s true meaning.
Pearl was the housekeeper in Theodora’s home when she was a child and she remembers her fondly. When her own family starts to fall apart - fighting between themselves and spewing mean remarks at each, and forgetting the true meaning of Christmas- Theadora gets a bit of Christmas magic at her door - her beloved Pearl reincarnated and here to save Christmas and the whole family!
Over two days of cooking and holiday activities, Pearl manages to reach each individual of this family and help them with their struggles.
This book gave me all the feels. I absolutely loved reading about how everyone regains their Christmas spirit and learns it’s true meaning.
Pour on the southern cheese... but a cute Christmas story nonetheless. Definitely gave me all the Hallmark Christmas vibes!
Exactly what you would think it would be. A quick read but not much substance.