Rating: 
Summary: Keep reading!
Review: I had a hard time staying with the book at first because the slang used in the story was very much a southern, time dependent writing style; one that I was not accustomed to. But I'm very glad I stuck with it, because her writing style is wonderful. I loved that all the people that she wrote about were stars of her stories; and I do mean 'stories' and not 'story'. She gracefully fluctuated in between characters and made them real. I loved the way she brought these people to life and made them interesting, each in their own right. After a while I could hear them talking in my head as I read along, adapting to their southern accent and slang and understanding them. It would make a great movie if some talented producer wanted to give it a shot. Of course you always lose something in the translation when adapting to a movie plot.There were only a couple of puzzling items; her need to talk about a sow split up it's middle in various parts of the story; giving it wisdom at that, and her need to describe the color brown. I guess those things will remain a mystery to me. But please do read it; it is worth it!
Rating: 
Summary: EXHAUSTING!
Review: While this book had its lyrical moments, it was an extremely trying read. I can say that it is just good enough to want to finish but there are entire chapters that I hummed through; not necessarily remembering what I had read. In other words, I just desperately wanted to finish and move on to a better novel. I'm not sure that Haynes did the best job at developing some of her characters (such as Canaan and Jackson). It seems there are a lot of unanswered questions about each one concerning what makes them tick.
I think the author has talent, but am hoping for a more brilliant attempt next time.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Book!
Review: This was a very good book, long but good. All the characters were intertwined one way or another but you didn't know it til the moment it was revealed. Even Grace and Valuable stood their ground as equal characters in the book. Little did they know how small the world around them was until their pasts crossed and shaped their lives in the present. I really enjoyed the author's writing style. Reviewed by: Sheila
Rating:
Summary: GOOD FIRST NOVEL!
Review: I really liked this book, but found it difficult to get into at the beginning. It was quite confusing, but glad I continued to read it to the end....This novel is set in back country of Mississippi....The main characters are 18 yr old Valuable Korner and 28 yr old Evan Grade...These two characters are intertwined with many other great characters for a surprise ending which shows us a black man bringing up a white child...I don't think that would have happened in the deep south during the 1950's....However overall this was quite a powerful novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't get through it
Review: Alright, this book sounded awesome from the back blurb - and I REALLY tried to get through it, but after reading through almost half way, I couldn't find any developing story line, and no interest at all in the characters! I am a pretty picky book reader, but this has to fall amoung one of my worst. I'll be the first to admit I didn't finish the book - so there may be something I'm missing. But isn't the whole point of writing to catch the reader's attention in the BEGINNING?????
Rating:
Summary: Story Before Its Time
Review: Mother of Pearl is one of my favorite books. It makes you laugh,cry and empathize with the characters. It is about an interracial relationship that took place in the south. Please read the review written by others. I cannot say anything that has not already been written. Great book to read.
Rating:
Summary: Not For Teens....just an educator's thoughts
Review: While I enjoyed this book, it is not a book for teens. The reason I say this is because, upon doing a search for books for and about teenage African American girls, this selection appeared. Were the girl over 16 and a mature reader, perhaps. But for readers ages 13-16, not a good selection. There are too many scenes of violence, sexuality, and other questionable, adult issues for me to recommend it for the teen audience.
Rating:
Summary: Best book I've read in a while
Review: I can't believe I almost didn't give this book a chance. I saw that the average review was only 3 stars, but I bought it anyway. Now I'm so glad I did.
It did take me a while to get into it, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. I read it on a few flights, but had put it away several times because I didn't want to cry in public. I will be passing this one around!
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book I have ever read.
Review: This book starts out seemingly confusing. Too many characters are introduce in the beginning. I made a list to refer to, so I wouldn't get lost. Once I began reading, I couldn't put the book down. It is full of characters and their lives. It is written so beautifully that I felt as if I was actually there living it. Melinda Hayes's discirption of people, their lives, and what they are thinking makes you feel as if you actually met the people and know exactly how they are living their lives,because you are actually experiencing it. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I'm not talented like Melinda Hayes.
Rating:
Summary: Best Ever
Review: The last thing anyone needs is to read another review of this book, but I had to get a positive rating up there. Just finished this book today and I have to say it is the best I've read in a very long time. I am disappointed at the average rating this book is getting because I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There are so many mystical moments in this story - i.e. when Valuable meets Joody in the woods for her first "reading". I've never experienced writing such as this. It is poetry.
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