Mother of Pearl [Hardcover]

Maureen Lee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 7, 2008

Pretty Amy Curran was just 18 years old when she met Barney Patterson, the love of her life, on Southport pier in 1939. Their romantic, passionate marriage was made in heaven, or so they both believed. But when Britain declared war on Germany, Barney hastily volunteered to fight, and the couple were eventually separated for five long years. When he returned to Liverpool after VE Day he wasn't the same person—and neither was Amy. But how could things have become so twisted that one day Amy would kill the husband she once so adored? And what happened to their little girl, Pearl, just five years old at the time? By 1971 Amy has spent 20 years in prison for Barney's murder. Now she is about to be released—although her freedom will change the lives of others, not least that of her daughter, whom she hasn't seen in two decades. But Pearl has her own demons to exorcise in her quest for happiness. And the greatest question she must ask herself is this: can she ever love her mother after what she did?

Editorial Reviews

Review

'An engrossing and warm story of tough but forgiving Liverpool people, narrated with enormous energy and warmth.' -- Rachel Redford THE OLDIE --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Maureen Lee is the author of The Leaving of Liverpool.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Orion Publishing (February 7, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0752847554
• ISBN-13: 978-0752847559
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,614,240 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No love so great, October 4, 2008

By 

Beverley Strong (Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mother of Pearl (Hardcover)

Amy Curran was just 18, pretty as a picture and totally unworldly, when she met the love of her life, Barney Patterson, on the pier at Southport. It was a classic case of love at first sight and, within weeks, they had eloped, without a thought for anyone else. Barney's family was educated and wealthy, with a slightly unhinged mother whose hatred of Catholics was an obsession. Amy's family was very much working class with all of its members Catholics and with nothing in common with the Patterson's. When WW2 was declared, Barney immediately enlisted at Officer Training School and was sent to France where he was captured by the Germans and held in a prisoner of war camp until the end of the war. When he returned home, he was a completely different man from the cheerful boy who had married Amy. His attitude to Amy became more and more aggressive, ending with his accidental killing. Amy is sentenced to 20 years jail, so her daughter, Pearl is raised by Amy's brother and his wife, believing that her mother had deserted her and left the country. It's an undemanding story, good for the time when the reader wants a simple,easy to read tale.