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Pearl

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About this listen

LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2023

Marianne is eight years old when her mother goes missing. Left behind with her baby brother and grieving father in a ramshackle house on the edge of a small village, she clings to the fragmented memories of her mother’s love; the smell of fresh herbs, the games they played, and the songs and stories of her childhood.

As time passes, Marianne struggles to adjust, fixated on her mother’s disappearance and the secrets she’s sure her father is keeping from her. Discovering a medieval poem called Pearl and trusting in its promise of consolation, Marianne sets out to make a visual illustration of it, a task that she returns to over and over but somehow never manages to complete.

Tormented by an unmarked gravestone in an abandoned chapel and the tidal pull of the river, her childhood home begins to crumble as the past leads her down a path of self-destruction. But can art heal Marianne? And will her own future as a mother help her find peace?

©2023 Siân Hughes (P)2023 W. F. Howes Ltd Family Life Genre Fiction Psychological Women's Fiction Fiction Heartfelt Suspense
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An unusual story, beautifully narrated by Laura Brydon.

Was mesmerised by the writing, and everything within the pages of this extraordinary book.

An interesting & beautifully written book.

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Marianne is eight years old when her mother goes missing. Left behind with her baby brother and grieving father in a ramshackle house on the edge of a small village, she clings to the fragmented memories of her mother's love: the smell of fresh herbs, the games they played, and the songs and stories of her childhood.
As a man I was interested in this audiobook because it was about a mother and daughter's relationship. It is a wonderfully written book, poignant and it reminded me of Shuggie Bain. The narration is faultless and the characters are brought to life by an incredible performance. I have always believed audiobook narration is an art form in its own right.
The plot twists as any good thriller and the ending left me in tears. One of the best books I have listened to this year.

AN ABSOLUTE GEM.

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A moving, engrossing and honest history of painful family loss that is beautifully written and perfectly narrated.

A beautifully told tale of loss

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This took me back to my primary school days with all the folk songs we sang and rhymes I did with my mother. I liked the narrator who isn’t a well known actor for a change. This is Booker listed and it a shame it wasn’t on the women’s prize list. I hope to read the book once the library has it

Raggle taggle

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Poetic, beautiful story. Origional and unique characters that stay with you long after the last page. One of my favourite books.

Beautiful story

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