PEARL

Laura Brydon narrates this novel, which has been longlisted for the Booker Prize 2023. It is the story of Marianne and the long-lasting repercussions of the disappearance of her mother when she was eight years old. Now a mother herself, she has spent her life dealing with her grief, guilt, and desperation for answers. Brydon paints a remarkable, believable picture of a child who struggles to overcome such a staggering loss by rebelling against society and her family and punishing herself for imagined crimes. Listeners will acutely feel the heartache and angst of young and teenage Marianne. Brydon imbues her narration with Marianne's nostalgia for her life before the disappearance. Every listener will relate to Marianne's journey through Brydon's skillful rendering. L.M.G. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2023]