Pearl is the first novel for author Malory Thomas. Malory contacted me about reading and reviewing her book and I love to read first books for new authors. Sometimes they are good and sometimes not. I’m happy to say that Pearl fit into the good category (but more on that shortly)! I also did a short interview with Maloryher, I always like finding out more about new authors and what makes them tick (well to a degree!)
What inspired you to write Pearl?
I took a creative writing class in graduate school for fun and I wrote the first few chapters of Pearl in that class. At the time, Pearl was meant to be strictly a short story, but I became fond of her, and wanted to explore her life further by putting her beliefs to test through her relationship with Austin.
In terms of the setting, I actually briefly worked in a convenience story in Vermont while I was in college.
Are any of the characters based on people that you know?
Bits and pieces of the characters remind me of someone I know. Pearl reminds me of a relative; Vern reminds me of a former boss, and Austin was inspired by a younger co-worker that I had an an and off quasi-romantic relationship with.
Is this your first published book?
I have actually published a dozen science library books under another name. Pearl is my first novel.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Wow, where do I start? My list is huge, but recently I found a few authors that I have fallen in love with: Maria Semple (Where’d You Go, Bernadette), Matthew Quick (Silver Linings Playbook), Liz Moore (Heft), and Carol Rifka Brunt (Tell the Wolves I’m Home)
What books are on your nightstand (or what are you reading right now)?
Right now I’m reading Book of Illusions by Paul Auster and This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz is up next on my nightstand. On my e-reader,the two up next are Pretty Little Liars (Sara Shepard) and Waking Up Married (Mira Lyn Kelly). I love the depth of literary fiction, but I also like the dialogue and quick-pacing of genre fiction, particularly romance.
Synopsis:
Pearl, a married 30-year-old convenience store worker, longs for change and excitement. Believing she can find it in the purchase of a Mustang, she soon learns that her co-worker, Austin, a recent college graduate, offers the thrill she’s missed out on.
When circumstances force the two apart, Pearl faces the difficult decision of repairing her marriage, thereby staying true to her religious beliefs, or disrupting her entire life to explore something life-changing.
Review:
At first I thought this book would all be told from Pearl’s point of view, but there are also sections where Austin and Vern tell their story. I think this helped round out the story, because as the saying goes, there are always 2 sides to every story (or 3 in this case). Pearl married young to leave a not so good situation, but she didn’t realize that marrying Vern may not be the best option. When she ventures out and gets a job and starts working with Austin, she realizes that perhaps there is more to life out there than keeping the house clean and making a meal for someone that doesn’t appear to appreciate the effort. I like that Pearl learns to stand up for herself (of course that also gets her into a little bit of trouble initially) and to seek out a better life than what she has had until that point. Vern also manages to grow in the novel. It is always nice to see people learn from their mistakes.
Overall I give it 4 paws and suggest checking it out if you have an eReader (or get the Kindle app for your PC).
