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The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder
- Narrated by: Judith Ivey
- Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins
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Publisher's Summary
Now Wells debuts an entirely new cast of characters in this shining stand-alone novel about the pull of first love, the power of life, and the human heart's vast capacity for healing.
The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder is the sweet, sexy, funny journey of Calla Lily's life set in Wells's expanding fictional Louisiana landscape. In the small river town of La Luna, Calla bursts into being, a force of nature as luminous as the flower she is named for. Under the loving light of the Moon Lady, the feminine force that will guide and protect her throughout her life, Calla enjoys a blissful childhood - until it is cut short. Her mother, M'Dear, a woman of rapture and love, teaches Calla compassion, and passes on to her the art of healing through the humble womanly art of "fixing hair". At her mother's side, Calla further learns that this same touch of hands on the human body can quiet her own soul.
It is also on the banks of the La Luna River that Calla encounters sweet, succulent first love, with a boy named Tuck. But when Tuck leaves Calla with a broken heart, she transforms hurt into inspiration and heads for the wild and colorful city of New Orleans to study at L'Académie de Beauté de Crescent.
In that extravagant big river city, she finds her destiny - and comes to understand fully the power of her "healing hands" to change lives and soothe pain, including her own. When Tuck reappears years later, he presents her with an offer that is colored by the memories of lost love. But who knows how Cally Lily, a "daughter of the Moon Lady", will respond?
Critic Reviews
What listeners say about The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- Joanne
- 07-24-09
Sweet Southern Women
This story fills your heart and soul with the feelings of sweet southern women. I cried and I laughed and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. You really feel the hurts and triumphs of Cally Lily Ponder and wish you were one of her great friends. It will be a long while before I forget her.
10 people found this helpful
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- Lisia Tucker
- 10-19-12
Great book
Would you listen to The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder again? Why?
I am a hairdresser and I have to say I loved this book.
Have you listened to any of Judith Ivey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
Judith is by far the best reader i have ever heard.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes it was
8 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Laurie
- 12-06-09
A winner by Wells
I have loved all the books by Rebecca Wells, and this book is no exception. Really a nice story, very touching, and Judith Ivey doesn't just read it, she PERFORMS the book. Great listen.
6 people found this helpful
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Overall
- MoxyIdeas
- 08-11-09
Loved it, Ya'll!
First, my most favorite thing about this audiobook was that Judith Ivey sounds just like Paula Deen! Wonderful.
Second - if you don't like to cry, skip this one. I must have had tears streaming down my face for half of this book - which looks a little crazy in Albertson's, let me tell you!
Wonderful story - rich characters, real pain and joy, descriptions of Louisiana food that made my mouth water!
I couldn't take my ear buds out - I wanted to listen all day!
12 people found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 12-05-12
Great.
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Laughed and cried listening to this wonderful story! I thought it was great and want more.
5 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Seeker of Grace
- 03-31-10
The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder
This was my favorite book of 2009. The reader was wonderful, the book lyrical. The love stories are sweet and enduring. The place created in my mind magical. It is a story of innocence and purpose. Incredibly written. I highly recommend it!
5 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Laurie
- 01-31-10
Loved it!
I read both "Little Altars Everywhere" and "Ya Ya Sisterhood" and thoroughly enjoyed this one as well. Excellent reading voice - very easy to listen to. If you've liked other Rebecca Wells' books, you'll love this as well. Definitely a 'chick' book - romantic, a bit predictable, but thoroughly enjoyable.
5 people found this helpful
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- D. Evans
- 03-05-12
Engaging story, great narration! A favorite listen
I read a couple of other Rebecca Wells books in the past and enjoyed them, but this story -- about a young girl who grows up in the south -- was my favorite. Very engaging. I couldn't stop listening! It was such a fun story -- happy, sad, funny -- I was pulled in right away. I love Judith Ivey as an actress and was very happy with her acting/narration of the story. Overall it was one of my favorites of all the books I've listened to. And I've listened to a lot!
I definitely recommend this book.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Root Beer
- 12-22-09
Enchanting
Fans of Rebecca Wells will not be disappointed with the Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder. Very well read and interpreted. The characters came to life and left me wanting more. Delightful!
4 people found this helpful
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- Marisela
- 01-23-15
It good book...Good Author
I liked it. I've always enjoyed her books.
However in parts of the book...it dragged. I had to fast forward. Also, I really didn't like the voices that narrator used for the male characters.
3 people found this helpful
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- Strawberryskullcrusher
- 12-08-16
Delightful.
What an enjoyable & sweet story. Full of well rounded charters. I'd love it to be made into a film too. ❤️
1 person found this helpful
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- elly4367
- 09-14-17
Full of southern charm
Full of southern charm from start to finish, a lovely nostalgic read with a big heart.