Pearl [Hardcover]

Tabitha King (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 18, 1988

Pearl Dickerson arrives in tiny Nodd's Ridge, Maine, to claim an inheritance and lead a quiet life. But soon, exotic Pearl threatens the fabric of everyday life in Nodd's Ridge . . . as she becomes involved with two attractive, very different men, whose seething rivalry explodes into violence. This gripping, finely crafted novel illuminates the depths and desires of an independent woman and exposes dark truths about life in a small town. HC: NAL.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

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.

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.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 324 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Adult; First Edition edition (November 18, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0453006264
• ISBN-13: 978-0453006262
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,285,027 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thursday's child, third daughter of six, third child of eight.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thought-provoking slice of Maine life, January 8, 2000

By 

Kimberly Borrowdale (Oregon USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pearl (Signet) (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

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A warm, witty and well-crafted novel., February 2, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Pearl (Signet) (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

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, December 16, 2002

By 

"waterandword" (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pearl (Signet) (Paperback)

This book is so rich and engrossing. This is one of my books that I always go back to periodically. It is also the second book I've looked up only to find out that it is out of print or stock. Please look for it, buy it, read and enjoy.