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Beautiful,
Dramatic

2 reviews

Mother of Pearl (Oprah's Book Club)
by Melinda Haynes

Published: 2000-06-01
Paperback : 496 pages
4 members reading this now
7 clubs reading this now
1 member has read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 2 of 2 members
Capturing all the rueful irony and racial ambivalence of small-town Mississippi in the late 1950s, Melinda Haynes' celebrated novel is a wholly unforgettable exploration of family, identity, and redemption. Mother of Pearl revolves around twenty-eight-year-old Even Grade, a black man who ...
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Introduction

Capturing all the rueful irony and racial ambivalence of small-town Mississippi in the late 1950s, Melinda Haynes' celebrated novel is a wholly unforgettable exploration of family, identity, and redemption. Mother of Pearl revolves around twenty-eight-year-old Even Grade, a black man who grew up an orphan, and Valuable Korner, the fifteen-year-old white daughter of the town whore and an unknown father. Both are passionately determined to discover the precious things neither experienced as children: human connection, enduring commitment, and, above all, unconditional love. A startlingly accomplished mixture of beauty, mystery, and tragedy, Mother of Pearl marks the debut of an extraordinary literary talent.

Editorial Review

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Excerpt

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Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

the characters
unwed mothers
incest
by Willard (see profile) 07/11/16

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

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Book Club Recommendations

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
  "Beautifully written, with complex characters"by Jill R. (see profile) 08/30/18

Initially i had some difficulty with the writing, tending to skim over rambling backstories inserted in the middle of a paragraph but once you get used to the rhythm of the writing, you’ll fall in love... (read more)

 
  "Mother of Pearl"by Geri R. (see profile) 07/11/16

A picture of the African American and white worlds interacting in the south in the 50s. The characters are ripe for discussion

 
  "Couldn't Get Through It"by Danica B. (see profile) 11/26/07

There are two main characters that "voice" this book. I assume that their lives intertwine at some point, I just couldn't get there. I liked one of the characters while really not enjoying the way the... (read more)

 
  "Good story, enjoyable writing style"by Marlo D. (see profile) 11/15/07

There was a lot I enjoyed about this book. The story was interesting, and I like the use of different voices telling the story. It took awhile to quickly identify who was speaking, and how that person... (read more)

 
  "very weird and hard to understand"by stacy m. (see profile) 02/22/07

 
  "Not a must read."by Hailey H. (see profile) 02/22/07

The description written for the book was very misleading. I wouldn't recommend this book.

 
  "Tough to follow"by Sandra G. (see profile) 02/22/07

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