A Song of Home

A Novel of the Swing Era (Pearl Spence Novels, Book 3)

By: Susie Finkbeiner

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Pearl Spence has finally settled into a routine in Bliss, Michigan, far from her home in Red River, Oklahoma. Like all the other kids, she goes to school each day, plays in the woods, and does her chores. But there's one big difference: Mama is still gone and doesn't seem to have a thought for the family she's left behind.

Escaping from her worries is another part of Pearl's new routine, whether that's running to Aunt Carrie's farm, listening to the radio with Ray, or losing herself in a book. In fact, a chair in the stacks, surrounded by books, might be her favorite place on earth - until she discovers swing dancing. The music transports Pearl to a whole other world.

When Mama unexpectedly returns, it isn't the happy occasion Pearl had imagined. Mama is distant, and Pearl can't figure out how to please her. And the horrible way she treats Daddy is more than Pearl can bear. It seems life would be better if Mama would just stay away.

Finkbeiner's portrayal of both tragedy and everyday life in times of great change is charged with a raw beauty that will haunt listeners. Fans of the two prior Pearl Spence novels won't be disappointed!

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2017 Susie Finkbeiner (P)2019 Oasis Audio

draws you right in!

wonderful! sad the series is over ! I enjoyed them all in the series!

Felt Like Home!

I enjoyed the story, the reader did exceptionally well, and it was so true to life. Didn’t need any nasty words, didn’t need descriptive sex , just a wonderful family book. I’ve read all of the Pearl series. Feels like I am missing my friends!

Best Trilogy

This set of books should be required reading in classrooms all across America. Beautifully written and narrated!

Brilliant narration

This is a wonderful story. Heard all three in the series. Tavia Gilbert’s gave an unbelievable performance! She is extremely talented!

Loved it and the whole series. I wish there was another book.

Loved it. Wish there were more books because I could follow this darling story through her growing up. Pearly was absolutely amazing and what a sweetheart absolutely loved it.

Great audio!

1930s - Bliss, Michigan during the Great Depression

Pearl Spence, 11 years old daughter of the town's sheriff
Ray Jones, 12 year old boy who lives with their family
Opal, the family's housekeeper and cook while "mama" is out of the picture
Aunt Carrie and Uncle Gus, like parents to Pearl and Ray

Par for the course, I often read books in a series out of order. Didn’t realize I had read book one years ago. I finished listening to book three just now, but it was easily a stand alone with references to the family's history, which helped a lot.

The voice of this first-person narrative is 11-year-old Pearl, as if she were telling a recent story of events in her family. Pearl pesters Opal into teaching her how to swing dance, as she and Ray had just seen Opal swinging like a pro at a dance hall. But as Pearl is half "colored" there is naturally a scandal involved because of her dance partner being white.

Just as Pearl is getting good, Pearl's long absent mother returns pregnant and expecting to return to her home as wife and mother. The adjustment is hard on Pearl, just as the adjustment had been when she left a year or so ago.

It’s a story of poverty when everyone was poor and just surviving, of prejudice, of Ku Klux Klan's continuing influence in the town, and of forgiveness on many fronts.

I enjoyed all the stories within the whole. I especially appreciated the constancy of Pearl's father. Poor little thing needed to know someone in her life would be her rock.

I also enjoyed quotes from recently deceased Meemaw, who always sited scripture in her lessons of wisdom for Pearl.

Now on to book 2, which will give me the background for this book. ☺️

Oh, almost forgot. This was an audiobook that was worth listening to. Great narrator!

A Song Of Home

I really enjoyed this series. Sorry to see it end. The progression of the story through three books and the development of the characters was beautifully constructed. Highly recommend.

will listen to more in series...

Overall loved it, just really struggled with all the "mom" missing for a mother who was not good in so many ways.

Rich

A story rich with emotion and complexity.

Tavia Gilbert is simply amazing! Her voices are realistic and pleasing to listen to, and she's a phenomenal actress!!!

Young Girl Navigates Hard Times

Narrator really brings each character come to life, especially the young girl. Well Done!