Rating: 
Summary: The Best of Things Come In Little Boxes....
Review: Esthers' gift isn't a lengthy story...another in the Mitford Series. Yet, in it, I found another "chapter" of life in Mitford. The true 'meaning' of Christmas' which touched my soul. If you keep in mind this book is a 'small' piece of the Mitford life...you'll be thrilled beyond your wildest dreams! I plan to 'try' the cake. Perhaps as some have been 'dissappointed' in it...it 'may' be a 'ficticious recipe'... one that sounds like a real one for the book. It's a 'dandy' of a cake in Mitford...but Jan Karon didn't promise us (anywhere that I read) that it would win a prize at the State Fair! It's a MUST for your collection!
Rating: 
Summary: Orange Marmalade Cake is worth way more than this book.
Review: First, I am not a Mitford fan and have not read any of the books in this series, though my wife has. I ordered the book for her and when it arrived I opened it and began to read. The words are large type and double spaced and there is a picture on every third or fourth page. I estimate there are less than 1,500 words in this entire story. This really should have been an article in a magazine not an actual book. Read the Publisher's review and a couple of the 'rave' reviews. You will have the whole story and will save money. I am disappointed that an author and publisher would rip off their fans by charging for this short, short story!
Rating: 
Summary: A Little Slice of Christmas Fun
Review: For those of you who have read the Mitford books, you know that Esther Bolick is the master baker who created the Orange Marmalade Cake. The cake's fame has spread far and wide and is baked for all the major social events in Mitford. For Esther to want to gift her friends with this masterpiece, therefore, is generosity unparalleled.Once again Jan Karon has given us a warm personal glimpse into the activities of Mitford's residents at Christmas. I for one am delighted to set this little gem next to last year's "The Mitford Snowmen." Keep these tiny tastes of Mitford coming, Ms Karon! They do wonders for my Christmas spirit!
Rating: 
Summary: Small book, nice story, big price tag
Review: Hi: I really enjoyed Karon first four or five books, but now it seems, she is asking a great deal of money ........for very few pages in a book. The stories are cute, not great and cost way too much. I think she needs a rest and the money isn't everything.............and the first few books I sent as gifts, I recommended highly, so now I am very disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Too short
Review: I agree with other reviewers that this book is way too short for the money. I have read and re-read the Mitford books many times, but this was quite a disappointment for me. Ms. Karon could have given us a bit more story for our hard earned dollars.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointment
Review: I have been a great fan of Jan Karon & her novels. This book, however, was extremely disappointing. There was no plot or feeling of Christmas spirit. Too short, no depth of character, wonderful recipe that I will never bake.
Rating:
Summary: Waste of time
Review: I have never read a Mitford story and now I know why. I think this book was boring and had a really weak storyline. Who actually sits down and calculates their "time" into the cost of making a present? I am just glad that I checked this out at the library and didn't pay for it. If I had know how short this story was I could have just read it in the check out line!... Save your money for a recipe book that has more that one recipe in it!
Rating:
Summary: The cake is a bust
Review: I have read every Mitford word. I gave this book to friends for Christmas thinking it would be a fun way to get started with her writing. When visiting my sister-in-law I spent a careful morning in the kitchen making the marmalade cake from the copy I gave her. Better move to Mitford and beg Esther to bake one for you because even the recipe is a disappointment. I think of myself modestly as a seasoned baker with 30 years experience. Perhaps Karon's publisher outsourced the job to a cakemix chemistry lab? I did all the painstaking steps and used all the top ingredients; something is off. Maybe Esther gave Father Tim a smudged recipe card? Karon is much better with theology than with the oven. I also feel ripped off by the "industry" of side items to the Mitford books. Let's stick with substantive stories and messages.
Rating:
Summary: Karon Disappointment
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Not much but a recipe.
Review: If you are a fan of the Mitford books get this from the library if you care to read it. You won't need to check it out. It can be easily read in 10 minutes. If you have never read the mitford books but want to DO NOT BOTHER WITH THIS. Unless you are familiar with her characters nothing about this ultra short story will be in the least interesting. I know them well and found it only barely diverting. I made it and the much talked about cake is every bit as good as the build up. But if you wish to make it get it from the library and spend the 10 bucks on a book that REALLY IS A BOOK!! This sad to say is a recipe.
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