- Paperback: 368 pages
- Publisher: Signet (MM); Reissue edition (Dec 14 1989)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0451162625
- ISBN-13: 978-0451162625
- Product Dimensions: 17.3 x 10.7 x 2.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 204 g
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #546,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
When the admirable heroine of the title, a 35-year-old black woman, arrives in Nodd's Ridge, Maine, to live in the farmhouse bequeathed her by an unknown uncle, local residents gossip a little behind her back, but otherwise do not respond to her color. Having abandoned her career as librarian, Pearl Dickenson takes over the local diner, and with her deep, throaty laugh and indomitable spirit (not to mention her fried chicken), wins the hearts of both Reuben Styles, who runs the local garage, and David Christopher, the town's resident poet. As summer progresses, Pearl is happy to find her life weaving seamlessly into the daily fabric of Nodd's Ridge, but the dilemma caused by her liaisons with both Reuben and David takes its toll. As Pearl helps Reuben cope with his wild teenaged daughter, David's past, which includes witnessing the shooting death of his young sister, makes him increasingly unstable. Occasionally slipping into melodrama, King (author of Small World and The Trap and wife of novelist Stephen) resolves her story happily for nearly all of the small-town characters she brings vividly to life. Pearl's quiet wisdom and prodigious energy make her slightly more mythic than human, but she remains an unforgettable character. Literary Guild alternate.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Using her rich descriptive powers and clear narrative style, novelist King ( The Trap, Caretakers ) has fashioned a jewel of a setting in Nodd's Ridge, Maine, and a near-perfect protagonist in Pearl. Thirty-something and black, Pearla woman looking for purposecomes to Maine to bury her grandmother and set down some roots. While she is at it, she captures the hearts and loyalties of the town's inhabitants. Her big mistake is becoming involved with two men, only one of whom she loves. A gifted storyteller, King has written a contemporary tale of real people struggling with teen rebellion, the aftermath of divorce, aging, loneliness, and abuse. An unforgettable reading experience. Jo Ann Vicarel, Cleveland Heights-University Heights P.L., Ohio
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A thought-provoking slice of Maine life,
By
This review is from: Pearl (Paperback)
Pearl Dickenson inherits the home and land of her great-uncle Joe, who she never had the chance to meet. On the spur of the moment, while taking care of Uncle Joe's funeral arrangements, Pearl decides to live in his house rather than sell it. Even though Pearl is "from away" she fits in with many of the inhabitants of the small Maine town. All of sudden, after three years of having no gentlemen friends, there are two men on the horizon. The two are very different from one another, but both have a lot to offer Pearl--and both have their own troubled pasts.PEARL is not a fast-paced action-packed read. It is a novel of setting and character, a slice-of-life story that lets the reader live in small town Maine for a while. The characters are funny and real, and Pearl is so likable that one has to keep reading and share her life. Tabitha King doesn't fool around with sex issues, either: she faces them head-on, and most of the love scenes are poetic while retaining their reality. The author has some interesting things to say about sex, love, friendship, family, and caring, but never says them in a preachy, intrusive way. PEARL is a smooth, leisurely, thought-provoking read. Kimberly Borrowdale Under the Covers Book Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully written with believable characters.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Pearl (Paperback)
From chapter one, this book hooks you into the life and loves of Pearl, an amazing person, but with human frailties. One can identify with her and you find yourself rooting for her throughout. Which of the men in her life will she choose? Or will she lose them both? The characters are interesting and believable. Pearl is enigmatic, as is the book. It has been, undoubtedly, one of the best books i have read in a long time. It was my first Tabitha King book, but certainly won't be my last. A very satisfying read.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A warm, witty and well-crafted novel.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Pearl (Paperback)
I have given "Pearl" to several friends as gifts and she has quickly wound her way into all of our hearts. A warm, witty and smartly crafted novel, "Pearl" and its siblings extend the Nodd's Ridge boundaries; creating a place as familiar and fondly remembered as your own hometown. Well-paced and with outstanding characterization, this book, as well as Ms. King's other novels, is definitely recommended reading
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Want to see more reviews on this item?
|
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
