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Tuesday, June 15, 2010

The Pearls of The Stone Man by Edward Mooney Jr. (Review and Giveaway!)

The Pearls of the Stone Man by Edward Mooney Jr. (Rated: C)
Sourcebooks (first published 2002)
ISBN: 978-1402238314
Published: March 1st 2010
Trade Paperback, 368 pages

Reviewed by Sandra

Joseph and Anne, married for 53 years are both feeling their mortality: “…he hated the way time had hidden in the closet, unseen, only to emerge with its tolls and chimes echoing last moments and finality”. Early on the author reveals that one of them is dying. To add to the anguish of impending death, there are unresolved conflicts in the family. Difficult days lie ahead for the surviving mate— grieving and trying to restore family relationships.

At the beginning of the book I wasn’t thrilled with the character of Joseph/Joey. He is impatient, self-centered, petulant, almost childlike at times. He is a great procrastinator. But, he has a deep love for Anne – “She had given him so much in this life: companionship, children, understanding, and a good tongue lashing when he deserved it”. By the end of the book, however, his character has improved or perhaps the “real” person finally emerges. Mooney has Joseph reveal his thoughts by “conversations with Pine Mountain”. Anne, the stronger of the two mates is practical, brave, committed to the marriage, despite its ups and downs, and is the proverbial caregiver. The extent of her care is developed in a touching way throughout the story.

I like the descriptions the author uses. For example, “He sat up on the large boulder and watched the scene unfold around him: an earthly opera. The waters of the stream played the part of the orchestra, and the sunlight provided the dancers. Every now and then a crescendo of wind highlighted the symphony in the clearing by the creek”.

The theme of the book is the love that characterizes a marriage –a love that grows and endures for a lifetime and beyond. How that theme relates to “pearls” and “the stone man” and the lessons we learn from it is left up to the reader to discern. Mr. Mooney has succeeded in creating a story that is gentle, thought-provoking and complex.

This is a book for people who value commitment and enduring love.

Would you like a chance to win this book? Thanks to Kristin from Sourcebooks, I have one copy of this book to give away! Here are the rules:

1. Open to US and Canadian residents only.
2. No P.O. box addresses.
3. Must be a follower of this blog, new or current.
4. Leave a comment with your email address. For example: laura (at) aol (dot) com
5. For an extra entry post this giveaway on your blog (on the sidebar) and leave me the link.
6. Giveaway ends July 6, 2010.

For more chances of winning this book, enter here also.

Disclosure: Thank you to Kristin for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.


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11 comments :

  1. Please don't enter me. Just wanted to say I enjoyed your review!

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  3. I am a follower.

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Thank you for commenting! I appreciate your feedback.

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