Nana's Gift

by Janette Oke

Nana's husband buys her a pearl necklace that is worn on every special occasion and is handed down through the generations, until it finally falls in the hands of a great-granddaughter who finds out from Nana the secret of the pearls. IP.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Romance, Inspirational, Adult Fiction, Adult

141 pages, Hardcover

First published July 31, 1996

About the author

Janette Oke is a Canadian author known for her inspirational fiction, often set in a pioneer era and focused on female protagonists. Her debut novel, Love Comes Softly (1979), became the foundation for a successful series, followed by over 75 other novels. The first book in her Canadian West series, When Calls the Heart (1983), inspired the popular television series of the same name.
Born in Champion, Alberta, to farmers Fred and Amy (née Ruggles) Steeves during the Great Depression, Oke went on to graduate from Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta, where she met her future husband, Edward Oke, who later became the president of the college. The couple has four children, including a daughter who has collaborated with Janette on several books.
A committed Evangelical Christian, Oke has authored numerous works exploring themes of faith. She has received various accolades for her contributions to Christian fiction, including the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award.

Reviews

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

My oma came over today and told me I should read this. I did and I'm really glad I did. It's not something I would've picked up on my own (even though I've really enjoyed movie adaptations of Oke's books. My family has watched a lot of them), but there's definitely a story here that matters regardless of what one normally reads. It's about legacy, family, and connection. I got quite attached to the characters even though this is a very quick read. I would've continued happily if it was longer.

[Barb Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book can be read in an evening. A quote from the book is "God is more insterested in making us holy (like Him ) than making us happy. " Liked this book about a hard working midwest farmer and this wife and sacrifice and love.

[Amy Swafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently lost my sister in February due to COVID. This was suggested to me by my aunt. It was a sweet reminder of how I could remember my sister and the legacy she left behind of love, faith and family.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me cry! LOVE it!

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet story to end the year!

[Erin Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet :-)

[Chloe Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her grandmother's pearls are the gift and she wears them on her wedding day

[Tracy Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a sweet story about a women and her great-granddaughter! I love how Janette Oke weaves special family ties in with God's great love and mercy.

Duncan and Lizzie have been married over 30 years when her surprises her with a beautiful string of pearls that he has quietly saved away for as a very special gift that he believes is worth of Lizzie. Lizzie passes her beloved pearls down through the generations, with each women wearing them on her wedding day, until that is, when Lizzie decides that each should choose whether or not to wear them due to the changing world.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this last night. A man obsessed with a gift for his wife that takes him 36 years to pay for, that she never wanted, and that most of his grandchildren didn't want as part of their weddings, finally finds a home with the last great-granddaughter. Who is crippled.

[Eve (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤ (Semi-active) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like how this book is God-inspired. It is very emotional at the end, though. I picked this book, thinking that it was romance. But, it was not. It's a story about a family, and the lessons that they learn. I really like this book, and I'd recommend reading it.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤

[Deb Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story I enjoyed immensely. Moved lovingly and quickly.

[Laurelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick little read with a good cup of coffee and a box of kleenex!

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet book of a nana's love for her children and grandchildren.

[Carol & Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Christine B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really bittersweet book on love. Highly recommend.

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as a teenager, and then again in college! My Mom has passed these down to me, and I am so thankful!

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet story of the love between a man and woman, the woman and her great granddaughter, and the love the Father has for us all.

[Kylie Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is a interesting book, need to read it and especially if you need a book for a book report do this one

[Wynette Hawks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but sweet story

[Faye Wangen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like this author. Christian based. Love of God, spouse, and family. Very short, but with lots of meaning.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, just thought about giving it a three star until the end when I went through half a box of tissues. Really great messages and beautifully written.

[Fiana Duckstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like it dragged on for a little while. It was all important to the story tho. The ending made me almost cry. Really cute and sweat.

[Wendy Crosco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good read loved the storyline

[Karina (Karina's Christian Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Number of pages: 141

Genre: Fiction

Series: N/A

Age recommendation: 14+

Summary: When Lizzy married her husband, she didn’t care that he was a poor farmer and couldn’t offer her the finer things of life. However Duncan was not satisfied with what he has offered his beautiful wife, and saved up to buy a pearl necklace that became a family heirloom.

My thoughts: I found this story somewhat disjointed but I still really enjoyed it. To get all of the backstory, it will tell a short story, then jump a few years to tell another story and so on and so forth. I don’t mind, but it seemed almost more like a collection of little stories about a particular family, than a continuous story.
I love Beth. I love how much she loves her Nana (Lizzy), and that she sticks to the tradition of her family. I think having family traditions/heirlooms like wearing Nana's pearl necklace to one's wedding is really cool.
I think the ending is sad, but probably more realistic than the one I wanted. I’m happy that Nana can go to be with the Lord, free from earthly limitations, and that Beth can still walk down the aisle with her Nana's pearls.
I liked Nana's point about God being more interested in making us holy/bringing us closer to Him, rather than necessarily making us happy. Knowing Jesus can bring us a joy that surpasses our circumstances.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend Nana’s Gift.

My personal rating: 4/5 stars.

[Marilyn Rushing · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good short story of love, loss and forgiveness.
Some things you just can’t put a price on it.
Lizzie and Duncan’s married life with the birth of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren brings so much happiness to their lives. Duncan wants to get Lizzie a very special gift since she is so special to him. He saves up for many years and finds just that right gift.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and quick read. The storyline doesn't introduce a lot since it is a short book, but it gives enough information to help you understand the characters. I can imagine this being a great movie with an unwavering love for family.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story of strong relationship between a Nana and her great.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really sweet short story.

[Alicia Ruggieri]

Lovely, short read.