Pearl

X Trilogy #2

by Tim Waggoner

Based on the film written by Ti West and Mia Goth and directed by Ti West

The X-traordinary origin story!

It’s 1918, and Pearl, a young woman on the brink of madness, must tend to her ailing father under the bitter and overbearing watch of her devout mother. Lusting for the glamorous life she’s seen in the movies, Pearl’s ambitions, temptations, and repressions collide…

Written by four-time Bram Stoker Award-winning writer, Tim Waggoner, this thrilling novelization is printed in throwback pocket-sized paperback format, bringing Ti West's bloody prequel to a new medium. Go back in time again as Pearl slashes her way to stardom with gory new details drawn from West and Goth's original screenplay.

Genres: Horror, Fiction

158 pages, Paperback

First published November 19, 2024

About the author

Tim Waggoner's first novel came out in 2001, and since then, he's published over sixty novels and eight collections of short stories. He writes original dark fantasy and horror, as well as media tie-ins. He's written tie-in fiction based on Supernatural, The X-Files, Alien, Doctor Who, Conan the Barbarian, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Grimm, and Transformers, among others, and he's written novelizations for films such as Ti West’s X-Trilogy, Halloween Kills, Terrifier 2 and 3, and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. He’s also the author of the award-winning guide to horror Writing in the Dark. He’s a four-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award, a one-time winner of the Scribe Award, and he’s been a two-time finalist for the Shirley Jackson Award and a one-time finalist for the Splatterpunk Award. He’s also a full-time tenured professor who teaches creative writing and composition at Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Waggoner’s “X,” the “Pearl” novelization has straight forward, unadorned writing. However, this novel gives the reader more to think about than its predecessor. Waggoner rehashes Ti West and Mia Goth’s “Pearl” while also diving deeper into Pearl’s psyche. While reading the “X” novelization is almost exactly like watching its film counterpart, the “Pearl” novel closely follows the film but also includes additional scenes that provide insights into her relationships with people around her, motivations for her actions, and declination of her mental health. “Pearl” is my favorite film of the X trilogy, and this novel is great supplementary reading for fans of the film.

[Nev · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - While I didn’t love this as much as I love the movie version of Pearl, I definitely did enjoy this more than the X novelization. Because this is just focused on being from Pearl’s POV, instead of hopping around to different characters like in X, you’re able to see more of her inner thoughts and track her decline over the course of the story. I also appreciated how this book seemed like it was able to add in some more information between the scenes of the movie.

I think this is fun to read if you love the movie. But I don’t think it would stand on its own that well if you’re not coming to it having already seen the film.

[Bert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pearl is my favourite of the 3 films so this was the one I was most excited for and it didn’t disappoint. So happy we are even getting these novelisations, more cult films as novelisations please!!

[Rika Furud · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love how this has most of the deleted scenes in the movie

[Mikepottz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pearl was on the farm where the smell of manure was so heavy you could cut it with an axe. Farm life was not for Pearl. She wanted off. Pearl could flip a switch and with deadly calm put a pitchfork through a goose. She had been killing animals since childhood. Pearl dry humped a scarecrow in the cornfields, grinding her hips harder and faster to orgasm. Pearl thought about cutting off her mama's head with an axe. Now a sheep has a pitchfork stabbed through its spine. Pearl has a shoving incident in the kitchen with her mama. Mama near the fireplace and her dress engulfed by flames. Arms flailing, blood curling screams, the aromatic smell of charred meat wafting in the air. Pearl drags her barely alive mama down the basement stairs. Head banging, thumping on each step. Pearl is losing her shit, insanity prevailing. A men cops the pitchfork after being balls deep in Pearl and wants to escape from her. The warm blood flying into Pearl's face, welcoming, feeling natural. Pearl is getting adroit, relishing. The most haunting moment in this movie can't be captured in text but..... Pearl running with an axe and plants it into the escaping lady. Thunk, thunk, thunk, spine desecrated, the chopped off pieces and the lady feed to the gator! Pearl sits at the dinner table with her dead parents, reality eradicated. Hard to capture this cinematic, haunting movie into text but still a gory good ride.

[piper monarchsandmyths · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I enjoyed reading this more than the previous book but it also adds nearly nothing to the actual story so who knows!

[Celeste Jamar · Rating 4 out of 5]

PLEASE, I’M A (4) STAR!!!!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the book, mostly because it’s almost identical to the movie and pearl is one of my favorite movies everrrr

[Dol’ Varien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my introduction to Tim Waggoner's work, and I can confidently say I am impressed. His novelization of the 2022 film is a captivating read, enriching the already haunting story of a young woman destined for "stardom." While novelizations of horror films can often be hit or miss, this one exceeded my expectations. Waggoner has expanded upon an already haunting narrative, staying faithful to the source material while adding compelling layers of depth to the tale. For fans of the "X Trilogy", this is an absolute must read.

[Aaron B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novelization from A24 Publishing added considerable context to the character's motivations and actions, with additional scenes and scenarios making the novel a standalone story, not requiring the reader to have seen the movie. I had Mia Goth pictured throughout, of course, and Mr. Waggoner enhanced my understanding of the character. Well-done!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

tim waggoner does a great job of keeping the books true to the movies!

it was interesting to get to hear a little bit more of pearl’s inner dialogue in this book, where i feel it lacks in the movie

[Snakes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suppose since it’s a novelization of a movie the writing seemed a bit mechanical and the details were sparse; however, the story was overall entertaining and creepy for Halloween, definitely a portrait of madness.

[Ash Hillary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another faithful adaptation with some additional scenes and opportunities to get inside the main character’s head that only novelizations really allow. I also really like Tim Waggoner’s writing style; these books are fast and easy reads with great and unflowery prose.

[Bre ≧◡≦ · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this story so much - the book & movie are great ♡

[Morgan Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Pearl wondered what it would be like to be good. Easier for sure, but not much fun.”

[—lisbeth 🦢 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Si Pascal le grand frère était là elle aurait decroché un stage de danse avec CAP danse et sa mère aurait été voir un psychologue pour comprendre sa fille 💭

[Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

SUCH an improvement from the film! Being able to really get inside Pearl’s mind helped amplify the horrific aspects, and I also really appreciated the explanation of how Howard could understand her more after having committed atrocious acts of violence himself when he was in the war. This is still way more of a character study, but so much more effective than the movie was; reading this was truly psychological horror!

[Rita Tourner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like with the movies, I found myself much more enthralled with the novelization of Pearl than I did X.

While still written as a scene for scene adaption of the film, down to the little details calling back to X, there are new scenes, perhaps cut from the original script, that add more substance and fear to an already incredible horror story.

Tim Waggoner absolutely nailed capturing the darkness in Pearl's mind, that black void within her where humanity and compassion reside in every one else. But that he was also able to capture the sadness in that (not to be confused with sympathy) the sparks of hopelessness that Pearl feels when she lingers on the knowledge something is wrong with her, strikes especially hard.

I love that Pearl's monologue at the end with Mitsy is written completely uninterrupted as it is in the movie, and though it doesn't thump you in the chest as hard without Mia Goth's inspiring recitation, it still reads very raw and painful and heavy and tragic.
I can't think of many other slashers in horror who are given a stage to vomit their pain so openly, but this scene is a gift whether in film or literature format.

Pearl continues to be the standout in both versions of the trilogy by far!!

[Kelsey Zukowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying novelization that offers deeper insight by allowing us to experience the events of the film through Pearl’s eyes and complex psyche- with a few added moments not in the movie. Pearl’s mindset is what makes this, allowing inside her head and heart, illuminating her fragility, hurt, rage, passion, determination, and all consuming need to feel validation, adoration, and desire.

While she has moments of feeling and caring for others, it’s interesting to take in her thoughts that pave this coming-of-rage dark descent story and see where she is cold, indifferent, and rather macabre.

The combination of what Mia Goth and Ti West brought alive to the screen is one of a kind. The language and tone fit very well within that world and feel authentic, but I would still recommend this for fans of the film who wanted another visit with Pearl. If this interests you and you haven’t watched the films, I would suggest doing so and circling back. While of course, as an origin story you can certainly understand the events going in blind. They just may not come alive in the same way.

[~Cyanide Latte~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've yet to watch the film this is adapted from, but I'd heard I should probably read this first to get an understanding of what I'm in for (animal cruelty is present in this narrative, and that still gets to me in horror movies, so at least I'll be somewhat prepared now.) And while I was somewhat aware of what this story was going to entail regarding Pearl's personal history, I still found that it unfolded in ways I wasn't expecting.

That said, I continue to enjoy Tim Waggoner's writing and his voice in horror narratives, and I feel like this book really gives an excellent understanding of Pearl as a character even without having seen the film (though I have both watched "X" and read the novelization, so I'm somewhat familiar with her from that.) It's very gruesome and dismal, and to my understanding that is supposed to juxtapose nicely to the visuals of the film. Overall I appreciate this for what it is, and look forward to watching "Pearl" soon when I get a chance.

[Haley Newlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving forward, I don’t think I could share my favorite horror book—Stephen King’s IT— without mentioning Tim Waggoner’s X and Pearl novelizations.

As a horror fan, the quality of these books, how visceral and frightening they are even if you’ve seen the films hundreds of times, makes my heart gush. Pearl is the sympathy for the devil trope at all-new heights. It’s unsettling, dreadful, but you can’t look away and you can’t help but root for the success of this won’t-quit STAR ⭐️

Tim Waggoner invites readers into every gory and gritty detail of Pearl and creates cinematic scenes, holding readers at (shot)gun point in the most disturbing moments, making an inescapable tomb of dread and terror.

[kam · Rating 4 out of 5]

this felt fascinatingly fresh yet at the same time really emphasized ti west’s directing and especially mia goth’s acting. though this genuinely felt just as good as the movie there was a certain spark about the movie that couldn’t be translated to paper, a certain darkness and sense of mystery looms over this book that was not in the movie, which, in most cases that would be a good thing but the thing about pearl is that it’s bright and pearl’s lack of ambiguity. though i will give this book its tens by allowing me into pearl’s psyche further which is something i did not know from the movie -which circles back to the ambiguity i was talking about- overall a solid book and i would highly recommend! 3.5/4

[Rogomelec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pearl (based on the film by Ti West and Mia Goth) takes everything I wanted the movie to be and absolutely nails it. I’ll be honest—I didn’t love the movie version of Pearl. While it had its moments, I always felt like there was something missing, something deeper simmering beneath the surface that the film didn’t quite deliver. Enter the novelization: not only does it fill in all the gaps, but it also gives Pearl the tragic depth she deserves.

In the book, Pearl’s inner world takes center stage, and wow, it is both beautiful and devastating. Her thoughts and beliefs are so heartbreakingly out of sync with reality, and knowing she’s doomed to live out her days on that farm just makes her story hit harder. The novel turns Pearl into someone you can sympathize with—her hopes, dreams, and unraveling mind all laid bare in a way the movie couldn’t quite capture. By the end, you don’t just understand Pearl—you feel for her.

Unlike X (which leaned into humor and brutal murder—love it for what it is), Pearl in novel form becomes more of a tragedy than anything else. And I am here for it. It’s a story about longing, heartbreak, and the slow collapse of someone who wants so much more from life but is trapped by her circumstances. Honestly, the book made Pearl my favorite in the series. It gave her the depth I didn’t know I needed and made her story unforgettable.

If you were lukewarm on the movie or even just curious for more, give the book a chance. It shines in ways the film didn’t, and Pearl will haunt you in the best way possible.

[Brendan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Pearl is a character-driven story, not plot-driven, which made this book a bit of a chore to get through. I think what makes the movie so great is Mia Goth in particular. Since the book cannot reproduce her performance for obvious reasons, I would say it’s subpar.

However, just like the novelization of X, it did a great job following the movie. I thought the writing was good, and the characters were well developed. If the author was able to add to the story, I would have loved to see which parts he would expand upon (and frankly, cut out). It is clear the plot is not as exploratory of its themes as it could be, which may be why I’ve always preferred X.

[Dylan Derryberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 3rd book of the year was the novelization of Pearl! As with the X novelization it’s very much a complimentary piece of media, giving readers more insight into the character’s thoughts and actions. This is particularly beneficial with Pearl since it’s almost entirely from the perspective of the titular character, one who wears an emotional mask through most of the film. It doesn’t undercut anything we see in the film, but instead enhances that experience and humanizes the characters more.

I’m really excited to wrap up the trilogy with the MaXXXine novelization next, especially since that film is so structurally different than the previous two entries. #Pearl #A24

[Billie Ariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 estrellas

Pearl es de mis películas de terror favoritas y el personaje mismo es de mis favoritos, ya que me identifico con ella. El libro es un gran acompañamiento de la película ya que es la misma historia con un poco más de contexto, sobretodo para entender la lógica de Pearl e incluso su relación con Howard.

Sin embargo, el libro resalta una de las debilidades de la historia, ya que se habla mucho de que Pearl tiene un lado oscuro contra el cual lucha constantemente…pero, ¿cuenta cómo lucha cuando nunca la vemos tentada a matar antes de que comiencen los asesinatos?

Aún así, amé la experiencia de leer la novelización de una de mis películas favoritas.

[Paul Ataua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pearl dreams of glamorous life as a dancer in movies but has to live an unexciting life on the farm looking after a wheelchair bound father who is unable to communicate and religious mother who restricts her every action. I don’t usually go for novelizations but had to try this after being so taken by Ti West and Mire Goth’s horror movie trilogy, of which this is the second one. It is what it is, It doesn’t stray much from or add much to the movie, but it is an enjoyable read. It's fine but you might want to see the movie first.

[Jules Hiraeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet, the descriptions tend to be quite silly at times but I enjoyed getting more of a glimpse into Pearl's mind, the book also did a good job at filling in gaps and questions left by the film, particularly at the end where personally I was wondering "How could Howard possibly stay with her after all that? Why would he?". Overall, if you're a fan of the movie I'm sure you'll enjoy the book!

Side note: the size of the X trilogy books make them perfect to carry around while travelling, I found them to be very enjoyable holiday/on-the-go companions to unwind with :)

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

“An X was formed from white tape on center stage, and she stepped onto it. This was her mark. This was where her life—the life she 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒅—would truly begin”

the foreshadowing!!

Loved the movie, so I knew I would love this as it’s exactly the same—except— you do get to hear pearls inner thoughts that prompt her to react the way she does and I think that adds so much more depth to the story!!

[Johnny C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I encountered these fun novelizations before I had the chance to see the films.

The author does a great job of providing enough detail for me to get drawn into the scenes he is writing while also keeping things moving at a strong clip.

I didn’t like this one quite as much as I did the first in the trilogy, but it was still quite something to get into the head of the psychopathic villain of the previous story as she is living on her parents’ farm.

Looking forward to reading the next one.