Siân Hughes' "Pearl" is a mesmerizing exploration of grief, family secrets, and the search for identity. This novel, with its lyrical prose and deeply evocative imagery, invites readers into the quiet, haunting world of Marianne, a woman trying to piece together her past and understand the legacy of her mother's disappearance.

The story begins with young Marianne living an idyllic childhood in rural England, overshadowed by the sudden and mysterious disappearance of her mother. This event becomes the defining moment of Marianne’s life, casting a long shadow over her formative years and into adulthood. As she grows older, Marianne becomes consumed with unraveling the truth behind her mother’s departure, a quest that leads her down a path of discovery and self-realization.

Hughes excels at creating a vivid sense of place and time, her descriptions of the English countryside almost poetic in their beauty. This setting serves as a stark contrast to the dark, underlying currents of the narrative. The prose is both delicate and powerful, capturing the raw emotions of Marianne’s journey with precision and grace.

The character of Marianne is deeply compelling. Hughes portrays her with a rare depth and sensitivity, making her pain and confusion palpable. Marianne’s quest to understand her mother and, by extension, herself, is fraught with emotional highs and lows. Her interactions with her family, especially her father, are portrayed with an authenticity that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful.

"Pearl" delves into themes of memory, loss, and the ways in which the past shapes the present. Hughes does not shy away from the complexities of these themes, presenting them with a nuanced understanding that adds layers of depth to the narrative. The mystery of Marianne’s mother’s disappearance is gradually unraveled, revealing unexpected truths and forcing Marianne to confront uncomfortable realities.

What makes "Pearl" truly stand out is Hughes’ ability to weave a story that is both intensely personal and universally relatable. The novel's exploration of familial bonds, the search for truth, and the longing for closure are themes that resonate deeply. Hughes’ writing is marked by a profound empathy for her characters, making their journeys feel intimate and real.

In conclusion, "Pearl" is a beautifully crafted novel that stays with you long after you turn the last page. Siân Hughes has created a poignant, thought-provoking story that explores the intricate dance between past and present, and the enduring quest for identity and understanding. It’s a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love and memory.

Initially released in 2023, and long-listed for the prestigious Booker prize, Sian Hughes’ gorgeous novel, Pearl, is being re-released by Knopf.

Marianne narrates the novel as an adult, returning to the Cheshire village in which she grew up for a yearly ritual/celebration called The Wakes. Hers has been a troubled life, her mother went missing when Marianne was young, leaving an indelible mark on her. Combine that grief with the trials of growing up, relocating, and eventually becoming a mother herself, it is hard not to fall in love with Marianne.

There are many reasons why this book appealed to me personally. The book is set in Cheshire, which is very near to where I grew up, so I recognize a lot of the references, and a vibe that is incredibly hard to capture in words. The jump rope/skipping/clapping rhymes at the beginning of each chapter firmly brings me back to my adolescence. And Marianne is just such a wonderful character. She is so strange, yet so appealing. The poor girl needs a hug.

I really like unconventional, yet accessible fiction. Pearl reminds me of the brilliant A Girl is a Half Formed Thing, by Eimear McBride. Lyrical yet simple, Pearl is an absolute joy to read.

Influenced to read by Australian Bookstagrammers and at first I thought it wasn't going to be for me. But I ended up loving it. I love that the main character, Marianne is interested in fairy tales and those fairy tales are what connect her to her mother who goes missing when Marianne is 8 years old. The books starts out mysterious, and we go through a rough time along with Marianne who starts making bad choices, and finally we are left with Marianne after she has her own baby and realizes her mother was not receiving the support she needed after having Marianne's brother. This books is amazing and I can't wait to read it again. It's heartbreaking and there are funny parts. But we also witness a struggling father/daughter relationship eventually come out on top and hope for a better future for their little family. The mother/daughter relationship is one of questioning choices and trying to understand someone who is not there to help you know her. I could see myself in Marianne's mother's garden.

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you, NetGalley and publishers.

Pearl was longlisted for the Booker Prize. A young girl loses her mother and her whole life is forever altered. As she grows up, she tells the story of her mother and those she left behind over and over again, partially through old ballads and folk songs and poetry. As she in turn becomes a mother, she understands her mother’s life and tragic end in a much different way.

Pearl is a gorgeous, delicate, sad little thing of a story filled with stories. It is about grief and trauma and coping. Marianne's mother disappears one day, and for the rest of her life she wonders and questions and grieves. It is all brilliantly, sorrowfully documented in such an authentic voice, one would think it was real. And it is in that this story comes from a heart directly to a reader's own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for this ARC. I loved every page.

Thank you Netgalley and The Indigo Press for the Pearl galley!

This book was short but powerful. I often feel that when writing about abstract topics and emotions like abandonment and griefs, writers resort to superfluous descriptions in their struggle to describe an indescribable thing. Hughes manages to describe the indescribable with her striking prose.

Pearl follows the adolescence to adulthood of Marianne whose mother went missing when she was only eight years old. Marianne spends much of her childhood and early adulthood yearning for the life that could have been if her mother had not suddenly disappeared. Her life is overwhelmingly centered around the grief she harbors and consequently, the harmful coping mechanisms she develops. Despite abusive relationships, eating disorders, and self-harm, Marianne turns to art to heal her traumas and rectify her past.

While the plot of the book is not necessarily flashy—despite the mystery of a disappearance—it is nonetheless riveting. I became entirely invested in Marianne’s wellbeing and how she changed as the book progressed. I also enjoyed the throughline of the poem of the same name as the book, as well as the unmarked grave. These details kept the book grounded and reminded me of the intensity of Marianne’s life. This book is tender, intimate, and unforgettable.

What a beautiful and heartbreaking story of memory, grief, and guilt. Marianne is living in perpetual grief for her mother who disappears one day seemingly out of the blue with no signs as to why she would
Leave. Marianne is one of the last people to see her. The writing is stunning and transporting. I really enjoyed the reflections on memory, what can really be a memory of our own versus what others impose upon us. Worthy of its Booker nod!

I received a copy of "Pearl" from Netgalley. Pearl is seen through the eyes of Marianne from the age of eight into adulthood. When she is eight, her mother disappeared. She is left with her father and baby brother. Each chapter starts with a nursery poem. Marianne has a rough childhood after her mother disappears. She has hard time making friends. She is confused about her mother leaving and not knowing what happened to her. she grows up and has a daughter of her own.but her life has not been great. I found myself feeling sorry for Marianne. hoping she finds some happiness. I would give this book a 3.5.

There’s a family history of grief. You can pass it on. Like immunity, in the milk. Like a song. from Pearl by Sian Hughes

“I used to have fantasies about our return to the Old House,” Marianne tells us. After her mother’s disappearance, her death, leaving behind a baby, Marianne’s father had no choice but to move his family into town. The Old House stood empty and decaying for a long time before it was sold.

I understood her attachment to her first home. After we moved when I was eleven, I had hoped to someday purchase back my first home, a turn-of-the-century farmhouse; sadly it was torn down.

Marianne didn’t understand why her mother left them. They were happy. Marianne hated school and stayed at home. Her mother sang songs, like “The Raggle Taggle Gypsy,” and told her old stories, and tended her garden. (I learned that song as a teenager strumming a guitar, and sang it to my son.)

Marianne searches in her mother’s volume of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight/Pearl for answers in the numerous notations written on its pages, sure the answer lay hidden in Pearl.

Grief was the driving force in her life, and as she later discovers, in her mother’s life. When Marianne learns a family secret, she realizes she had been searching in the wrong places for answers and finally comes to term with her loss.

Beautifully written and poignant, Pearl was long-listed for the Booker Prize.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.

If you love literary fiction this is for you.A young girls mother goes missing and shares her pain.As her life continues she shares her growth her world.#netgalley #knopf

This book was great and I expect nothing less from a Booker Prize long list book. I've been wanting to read it ever since it was announced because I had heard a lot of great things about Hughes' writing and they were right. Hughes has a wonderful talent for crafting diction and compelling storytelling that flows and keeps the reader amazed at the writing. Many times I found myself staring at the line and having to reread it because the line was that good. The story is impactful, and at the end, I found myself really connecting to the characters and wanting to see them succeed in life and overcome what they are going through. Hughes grabs you by the hand and gently brings you into the narrative to experience these characters in a raw and impactful way. This book was a Booker Prize longlist for a reason and I highly recommend it. All the cover is beautiful so having that on any shelf would be a wonderful addition

Troubled child becomes troubled teen becomes troubled adult. It's the plot of trashy TV movie tarted up to appeal to judges of literary prizes.

Received via NetGalley.

What a great book. I really enjoyed the story. I can’t say enough good things about it and I hope fellow fiction readers will enjoy it as well.

This was a beautifully detailed book. The narrator, Marianne, was only 8 when her mother left and did not come back. The book captures Marianne's life as she contends with her mothers actions and their repercussions on her mental health and family relationships.

Overall while I had a nice read I would not highly recommend this book. The plot was both painfully slow but also fast in some points. I thought there were a lot of unnecessary plot points that felt rushed. My main critique was a lack of plot. The book feels untethered to a plot line and thus I did not feel a sense of closure when finishing. However, the detail in the writing was top tier. I could picture Marianne's homes and how people looked by the detailed descriptions and memories of Marianne.