Helpful Score: 4
The truth is that even when you doing everything right, even if you are a terrific parent, even if you raise great kids in a loving home you cannot protect your kids from everything. When Barrie's daughter Pearl is betrayed by her boyfriend, she withdraws. She lashes out. Ultimately, Barrie is left to pick up the pieces.
Kellie Coates Gilbert weaves an engaging story about imperfect people who are doing the best they can. She does a brilliant job of portraying a grieving family coming to terms with what they think is the worst thing that could happen, only to discover an even uglier reality. Friendships are severed. Loyalties are tested.
My favorite things about this book are the the characters. They are fleshed out and multidimensional. No single character is perfect. Barrie's husband turns to God in his grieving while Barrie bristles at the idea of being in the middle of anyone's "pity party" and sees their prayers as a "holy distribution". I definitely enjoyed watching the friendship between Barrie and Jackie blossom from barely veiled jealousy to admiration and loyalty. This was a terrific book and I am still mulling over the characters and the plots and subplots.
Kellie Coates Gilbert weaves an engaging story about imperfect people who are doing the best they can. She does a brilliant job of portraying a grieving family coming to terms with what they think is the worst thing that could happen, only to discover an even uglier reality. Friendships are severed. Loyalties are tested.
My favorite things about this book are the the characters. They are fleshed out and multidimensional. No single character is perfect. Barrie's husband turns to God in his grieving while Barrie bristles at the idea of being in the middle of anyone's "pity party" and sees their prayers as a "holy distribution". I definitely enjoyed watching the friendship between Barrie and Jackie blossom from barely veiled jealousy to admiration and loyalty. This was a terrific book and I am still mulling over the characters and the plots and subplots.
Helpful Score: 1
Mother of Pearl is an interesting story about commitment to family and staying true to ones self. The author tackled some difficult themesaccountability, forgiveness, and regenerationto name a few. I liked the way she handled the fact that familiesincluding Christian familiesarent always what they seem.
When teen-ager, Pearl, meets with what appears to be a typical, teen-age crisis, we are drawn into the family dynamics and how it affects the whole family. As later events unfold, Pearls mother becomes obsessed with getting to the root of the problem, which creates multiple, but realistic, twists and turns in the story.
I found the story disturbing and a bit unsettling, but timely and in sync with issues we are facing today in our society. As a teacher, I was especially interested in the conflict between sports and academics. A major, current social dilemma was woven into the story and astutely addressed--Our adulation and valuation of sports and sports figures, at any cost.
I was expecting a lighter read. It is not that. I found Mother of Pearl to be a compelling and thought-provoking novel.
When teen-ager, Pearl, meets with what appears to be a typical, teen-age crisis, we are drawn into the family dynamics and how it affects the whole family. As later events unfold, Pearls mother becomes obsessed with getting to the root of the problem, which creates multiple, but realistic, twists and turns in the story.
I found the story disturbing and a bit unsettling, but timely and in sync with issues we are facing today in our society. As a teacher, I was especially interested in the conflict between sports and academics. A major, current social dilemma was woven into the story and astutely addressed--Our adulation and valuation of sports and sports figures, at any cost.
I was expecting a lighter read. It is not that. I found Mother of Pearl to be a compelling and thought-provoking novel.
Helpful Score: 1
Mother of Pearl is a stand-alone novel by debut author Kellie Coates Gilbert. Set in a close-knit community in Idaho where football reigns supreme, this is an extremely well written and moving story, very relevant for our times. To put it simply, Kellie Coates Gilbert is an author to watch.
Mother of Pearl is a wonderful character-driven, relationship drama with court scenes that are top notch - and while I read a lot of novels that fit that description, this story is quite different from anything I've ever read. Relevant, compelling, heartrending, and thought provoking are a few adjectives that quickly come to mind. The writing is tight, infused with Kellie's dry sense of humor, and will keep you turning the pages.
Who will enjoy this story? Anyone who wants a riveting narrative that grabs you from the first and doesn't let go. Those who like character-driven drama with a heroine who feels so real that you'll want to cheer her on. People who have experienced a heartbreaking loss. Mothers everywhere.
At the heart of this story is a mother's fierce and unfailing love. As Barrie sees her daughter beginning the march toward independence, she reflects, "I find myself wishing I could grab the drumsticks and toss them aside, silencing the beat that is drawing her away." What mother can't relate to that feeling?!
Barrie is a strong character, a school guidance counselor whose job is to advocate for students in a school - and community - where football continually trumps academics. "Sometimes that means protecting them from a coach who has yet to understand that the one with the most trophies can still wind up a loser." Pearl's death shines the light on the growing phenomenon of coaches sexually exploiting students, and Barrie becomes a mother who risks her job, marriage, and Pearl's reputation to find answers and see that justice is served.
Spiritual themes are subtle, but ever present. Parents often grieve in very different ways, and we see that in Barrie and Steve. Barrie struggles with the faith that Steve finds solace in, and feels that he is moving on without her: "I wish I were a religious woman. Maybe faith would be an antidote to a world that crumbles beneath your feet." Spiritual themes of faith, hope, and recovery are always present just beneath the surface.
Watching Barrie grieve reminds me of the many times I have felt awkward around someone who has lost a loved one, not knowing what to say. Barrie feels somewhat detached and notices how uncomfortable her friends seem, "as if my horrible luck might be contagious." And I felt for Barrie because she didn't have an unshakable faith to support her. But her strength and determination to bring justice do eventually lead to the embracing of a timid faith. I like how Kellie leaves some things to our imagination, and after the celebration scene in the last chapter, I can easily envision the advocate for Christ that Barrie will become.
While I would have liked to see certain things explored in more depth - the background surrounding Pearl's birth, the strained relationship between Barrie and her mother, conflict resolution between Barrie and Steve, for instance - the story focused exactly on what it needed to focus on. I will say, however, that if Kellie had written a 500-page novel with more storylines fleshed out, I would have been glued to every page.
Readers, please don't shy away from this book because it deals with a teenager's death, but be drawn by the fact that it tells the story of a woman who overcomes an unexpected, life-changing obstacle. In Kellie's words, "I write about messy lives, and eternal hope."
I eagerly anticipate what Kellie writes next, and highly recommend Mother of Pearl to all readers.
This book was provided by Kellie Coates Gilbert in exchange for my honest review.
Mother of Pearl is a wonderful character-driven, relationship drama with court scenes that are top notch - and while I read a lot of novels that fit that description, this story is quite different from anything I've ever read. Relevant, compelling, heartrending, and thought provoking are a few adjectives that quickly come to mind. The writing is tight, infused with Kellie's dry sense of humor, and will keep you turning the pages.
Who will enjoy this story? Anyone who wants a riveting narrative that grabs you from the first and doesn't let go. Those who like character-driven drama with a heroine who feels so real that you'll want to cheer her on. People who have experienced a heartbreaking loss. Mothers everywhere.
At the heart of this story is a mother's fierce and unfailing love. As Barrie sees her daughter beginning the march toward independence, she reflects, "I find myself wishing I could grab the drumsticks and toss them aside, silencing the beat that is drawing her away." What mother can't relate to that feeling?!
Barrie is a strong character, a school guidance counselor whose job is to advocate for students in a school - and community - where football continually trumps academics. "Sometimes that means protecting them from a coach who has yet to understand that the one with the most trophies can still wind up a loser." Pearl's death shines the light on the growing phenomenon of coaches sexually exploiting students, and Barrie becomes a mother who risks her job, marriage, and Pearl's reputation to find answers and see that justice is served.
Spiritual themes are subtle, but ever present. Parents often grieve in very different ways, and we see that in Barrie and Steve. Barrie struggles with the faith that Steve finds solace in, and feels that he is moving on without her: "I wish I were a religious woman. Maybe faith would be an antidote to a world that crumbles beneath your feet." Spiritual themes of faith, hope, and recovery are always present just beneath the surface.
Watching Barrie grieve reminds me of the many times I have felt awkward around someone who has lost a loved one, not knowing what to say. Barrie feels somewhat detached and notices how uncomfortable her friends seem, "as if my horrible luck might be contagious." And I felt for Barrie because she didn't have an unshakable faith to support her. But her strength and determination to bring justice do eventually lead to the embracing of a timid faith. I like how Kellie leaves some things to our imagination, and after the celebration scene in the last chapter, I can easily envision the advocate for Christ that Barrie will become.
While I would have liked to see certain things explored in more depth - the background surrounding Pearl's birth, the strained relationship between Barrie and her mother, conflict resolution between Barrie and Steve, for instance - the story focused exactly on what it needed to focus on. I will say, however, that if Kellie had written a 500-page novel with more storylines fleshed out, I would have been glued to every page.
Readers, please don't shy away from this book because it deals with a teenager's death, but be drawn by the fact that it tells the story of a woman who overcomes an unexpected, life-changing obstacle. In Kellie's words, "I write about messy lives, and eternal hope."
I eagerly anticipate what Kellie writes next, and highly recommend Mother of Pearl to all readers.
This book was provided by Kellie Coates Gilbert in exchange for my honest review.
