The Pearl and the Onion

By: Brittany K. Allen

Narrated by: Anna Chlumsky, Jasmine Cephas-Jones

This daring historical drama imagines what would have happened if real-life World War II Allied operatives Julia Child and Josephine Baker had teamed up in their fight to take down the Nazis.

When our story begins, Julia Child is an eager but inexperienced codebreaker longing to prove herself in the male-dominated world of intelligence, and Josephine Baker is, well, Josephine Baker—a world-famous entertainer who is now leading a double life as a spy for the French Resistance.

When a golden opportunity arises to infiltrate a high-stakes Nazi gala in Vichy France, Julia must put aside her by-the-book mentality to assist her unorthodox new partner. What begins as a rookie assignment becomes a dangerous game of deception and intrigue, thrusting the duo into the dark underworld of collaborators and double agents.

Blending rich historical details with crackling dialogue, The Pearl and the Onion is an unmissable portrait of courage, sacrifice, and the unbreakable spirit of resistance in the face of evil. Its inspiring heroes, thrilling missions, and immersive soundscapes will transport you to the heart of the international struggle for freedom in 1940s Europe, painting a vital portrait of how the iconic chef and the international entertainer risked everything in service of a better world. Starring Anna Chlumsky and Jasmine Cephas Jones. Directed by Kimberly Senior.

©2024 Fresh Produce Media, LLC (P)2025 Audible Originals, LLC

Fun Story

Overall this was a fun listen. It was definitely over the top, but had funny scenes.

If it was fiction it still could have been real! Who truly knows?

Spell binding and you saw it to the end because it was that good a tale? Or truth? The voices did great and so did the sound effects but the music of Miss Josephine Baker added a richness to the story and in fact you felt like you truly were in a France. I even looked up Miss Baker on line and saw just how close this story “could” have been if not some of the truth. Great Job!!!! Thank you for making it. I learned some new dimensions on WW2.

Fanciful, but entertaining

Julia’s husband to be is played as stereotypically gay, though he was probably straight since they apparently went on to enjoy a long and happy marriage.
Segregation might have been enforced even abroad during World War Two in the armed forces. Not sure how that would have affected Josephine. The story is almost entirely fictional though.

Fantastic!

A wonderful story to ponder figures from history amidst strife. We can imagine a way to be brave today

Cute and Simplified

Every other WWII story, fiction or not, are horrific and dark or at least sad and morose. This fun adventure story was a tad oversimplified and perhaps too light and almost juvenile for the main subject of the time. The characters were endearing in a childish way. I did, however, appreciate the woman-empowerment aspect.