Porch Lights

By: Dorothea Benton Frank

Narrated by: Robin Miles

Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

When Jimmy McMullen, a fireman with the NYFD, is killed in the line of duty, his wife, Jackie, and 10-year-old son, Charlie, are devastated. Charlie idolized his dad, and now the outgoing, curious boy has become quiet and reserved. Trusting in the healing power of family, Jackie decides to return to her childhood home on Sullivan's Island.

Awaiting them is Annie Britt, the family matriarch who has kept the porch lights on to welcome them home. Captivated by the island's alluring natural charms and inspired by colorful Lowcountry lore, mother, daughter, and grandson will share a memorable, illuminating summer. Told in Annie and Jackie's alternating voices, and filled with Dorothea Benton Frank's charming wit, indelible poignancy, and hallmark themes, Porch Lights is a triumph from "the queen of Southern fiction" (Charlotte Observer).

©2012 Dorothea Benton Frank (P)2012 HarperCollins Publisher

Liked this book - held my attention - nice story.

Was sort of predictible, but a nice story. Held my interest. Listened to the entire book. Narrator was good and her voice fit the characters. I love the South, so books based in the South are my types of books.

Excellent book!!

This book is another hit by Dorothea Benton Frank . Low country stories come alive with delight.

Robin Miles again made every person come to life. Her voice and skills are phenomenal...

Porch Lights

Absolutely marvelous! She set the tone from the beginning & never slowed down.
She’s a master story teller with a broad imagination & makes you want to never put the book down.

Tragic joy

Things happen when they're meant to. Death, life, love, & joy. Sometimes the worst moments in life end to happiness.

Felt Like I Was There

The imagery made me feel like I took a vacation to South Carolina. I cried thinking about the good heart of my own Son. you could almost feel the wind of the hurricane through the words. Each character had great development and showed our flaws of humanity. I felt like I was visiting their family.

Low Country living on sultry Sullivan's Island

Would you consider the audio edition of Porch Lights to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print book, but I did love the audio edition. It was produced very well.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The island itself was my favorite character. The flavor, tempo and sense of a slower and gracious beach style of living was captured so well.

What about Robin Miles’s performance did you like?

Very well read. Her delivery was animated with each character well defined. There was never any question about which character was speaking nor about the emotion that the character was experiencing.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

How the pain of a family's loss is healed by the magic of a low country beach summer.

Great book! Love this author.

If you could sum up Porch Lights in three words, what would they be?

Funny, spirited, good times!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Porch Lights?

The storm..

What does Robin Miles bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I liked how she could change voices for each character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to it while traveling... really makes the trip better!

Any additional comments?

This is one of my favorite authors..

Enjoyed it

Would you consider the audio edition of Porch Lights to be better than the print version?

Yes, great narration with a great southern accent

Which character – as performed by Robin Miles – was your favorite?

The mother- glam-ma

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

History lesson, importance of family in rough times, learning to trust again

Enjoyed this trip to the lowcountry

Who was your favorite character and why?

Annie was my favorite but only by a little. Her infatuation with the neighbor, the friendship with Deb, the banter with Buster, her love for her daughter and grandson. I really enjoyed her passion for history and Poe. However, I have to say, I enjoyed all of the characters. I had the most reservations about Jackie - not sure if it was her or the narrator voice for her.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Fine tune her accents a bit more. It took me some time to settle in and enjoy her narration. I'm glad I didn't give up when I wanted to in the first few chapters.

Not at all sugary, but full of love, hope, and fam

Not at all sugary, but full of love, hope, and family healing.

the ending was unexpected and expected all at the same time. They all learned about themselves and each other as they grew as a family and friends. One unit filled with love and respect.

It's difficult to move on and live after a traumatic loss, but they found a way. Beautiful story, family is for healing.