Pearl Verses the World

Sally Murphy (author)

Walker Books, Australia: 2009; 80pp

ISBN: 978921150937

Genres: poetry, realistic fiction, verse novel

Issues: aging, family, friendship, giftedness, school, solitude

‘Sometimes I think/ That I am on an island - / A deserted one/ With just a single coconut tree.'

Thus begins this poignant verse narrative about Pearl. Pearl, who is a ‘group of one' in a school where everybody goes about in groups of two or three.

Pearl, whose granny ‘is still here with us/ But she doesn't remember who we are.' Pearl, who has a gift for writing but refuses to write poetry that rhymes because ‘some people don't rhyme/ And some of us/ Don't even want to rhyme.'

In simple language and free form poetry, Murphy draws the reader into the complex, grief-filled world of a highly sensitive child. Pearl normally likes school - except for the poetry problem - despite being a ‘loner'. But at the moment she just wants to be at home with her granny and her mother, who has taken time off work to care for her. How much longer can she manage to do that? How long before she needs to work again? Pearl doesn't really understand that part of the reality of caring for a loved one in the later stages of life - all she knows is that granny belongs with them. At home.

But things change. Pearl finds that her favourite group of three becomes a group of two and that life goes on, whether she wants it to or not. And that there is always room for poetry - especially poetry that doesn't rhyme.

Economical of line and length as it is, Murphy's creation creates a vivid and moving portrait of a time of change in a young girl's life. She shows the reader that although there is often pain and grief, there is also humour, love and new life - that change can be a good thing, too; it can lead to transformation.

Exceptional writing. Highly recommended.