The Pearls of the Stone Man

In the prologue to "The Pearls of the Stone Man" a young couple, Shannon and Tim, are driving up to Pine Mountain on a Saturday in spring with their two kids in a mini-van. Once again, Shannon wants to stop and see the old house, still trying to solve the mystery of an old man's final words: "Remember the stone." The old man they called grandpa was not related to either of them by blood, but that is the point of this novel by Edward Mooney, Jr. At the heart of this delicate little novel is the marriage of Joseph and Anne Marino. After 53 years of marriage these two still love each other and live in a small house at the base of Pine Mountain. But even before they find out that there are only months left to their love affair instead of years, Joseph has been aware that they are running out of time and has become preoccupied with thoughts of things undone. For thirty years he has been talking about climbing the mountain that he talks to every day, but that is just one of a long list of things he has not done. In fact, there is a list on his closet door that he made of things that he wanted to do. But Anne challenges him to name two projects that he has actually finished and Joseph is consumed with the idea he has so many unfinished pieces of business and all the regrets that he is carrying. Then, everything changes because time is running out and the most important thing in Joseph's world becomes trying to reconcile with his estranged son and finishing the stone wall that Anne asked for years ago. Seeing Joseph pulling his wagon full of stones for Anne's wall earns him the nickname of the "Stone Man." The pearls in the title belong to Anne, although obviously there is a metaphorical meaning to world as well, as a much younger Shannon and Tim learn. That is because while the love between Joey and Annie has not changed over a half-century lots of other things have, such as the way children are raised. Shannon and Tim are but two of the troubled teenagers living on Pine Mountain, where the sight of an old man pulling a wagon full of stones is something that inspires words of ridicule and acts of cruelty. But whereas Joseph responds to these insults and injuries with anger over the impotence of an old man, it is Annie who suggests a better way of dealing with the escalating problem. "The Pearls of the Stone Man" is about a love that transcends death and that is there today and always. It is also a tale about responsibility that makes the case for how in a relationship each person has 100% responsibility for that relationship, in contrast to the erroneous assumption you only have 50% of the responsibility (it is 100% responsibility because it is a total responsibility for the relationship). Mooney creates a beautiful portrait of such a relationship and when we finally learn the meaning of the old man's words it is a simple and profound message. You should have come to all of these conclusions through reading the novel, but just in cas

While in The States last summer, I visited a bookstore and came across the 'Pearls of the Stone Man'. I read the first page and couldn't put it down. Edward Mooney's moving novel reveals the power of love in family life. Joseph and Anne, in their seventies, don't have the passion of young lovers but share the deeper love and intimacy that comes from sharing their lives for half a century. 'The Pearls of the Stone Man' is a heavenly guide to understanding the basics for a better, richer life. Family bonds are as strong and meaningful as love is. Stones will turn into pearls if one can find the truth of life. I look forward to a translation of 'The Pearls of the Stone Man' for the German market. I'm sure it will be a big hit here. Mooney is a masterful storyteller, and I eagerly await his next book 'The Journey of the Stone Man'.

This is by far one of the best books that I have ever read. Edward Mooney has a way of pulling you into the story and really making you feel like you're right there with them. Being a father myself, Pearls of the Stone Man helped me realize how important it is to keep family bonds strong and the wisdom that the generations before me have to offer. After you start reading this book, just try to put it down!

"The Pearls of the Stone Man" is a touching and beautiful book. Mr. Mooney has an engaging style that caught me up and kept me reading. The letters from Joseph's wife are an especially interesting touch. I can't wait to read another of his books.

When I read this book, I felt like I was living Joseph's life. I felt what he felt. And I felt many emotions throughout the book. Although it's fiction, the story seemed real, which made it easy to read and hard to put down.