Hilda and Pearl

by Alice Mattison

To Frances, an only child living in McCarthy-era Brooklyn, her mother, Hilda, and her aunt Pearl seem as if they have always been friends. Frances does not question the love between the two women until her father's job as a teacher is threatened by anti-Communism, just as Frances begins to learn about her family's past. Why does Hilda refer to her "first pregnancy," as if Frances wasn't her only child? Whose baby shoes are hidden in Hilda's dresser drawer? Why is there tension when Pearl and her husband come to visit? The story of a young girl in the fifties and her elders' coming-of-age in the unquiet thirties, this book resonates deeply, revealing in beautiful, clear language the complexities of friendship and loss.

Genres: Fiction, New York, Novels, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, American

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1994

About the author

Alice Mattison's new novel, WHEN WE ARGUED ALL NIGHT, will be published by Harper Perennial as a paperback original on June 12, 2012. She's the author of 5 other novels, most recently NOTHING IS QUITE FORGOTTEN IN BROOKLYN, 4 collections of stories, and a book of poems. Many of her stories have appeared in The New Yorker and other magazines. She grew up in Brooklyn, New York and has lived for a long time in New Haven, Connecticut. She teaches fiction writing in the Bennington Writing Seminars, the low-residency MFA program at Bennington College in Vermont.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nathan and Mike are brothers, who each marry and each have a child. Along the way there is unrest in Europe and at home at times as a child dies and relationships change. The two sister-in-laws remain close through all of it, despite life-altering incidents that could drive them apart. This is their story, a family from the 1930s to the l950s and the incredible grace that can happen between people. It's also about secrets and maybe why we should or should not keep them, and the ramifications of both ideas. The descriptions of the kids and things they do was spot on. It puts the reader right there, whether the situation is trying or loving.

This story might make the reader consider what he/she would do in the same situations and a book that makes you think is good.

[Emily Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was at the University of Mississippi, I had the wonderful experience of hearing Alice Mattison read. I had read a few of stories before, as Sharon Dilworth included them in her fiction workshops at Carnegie Mellon University, but hearing Mattison read them brought out the subtle humor and irony of the stories even more. Hilda and Pearl is typical of Mattison’s work in that it jumps through time, includes the points of view of several characters, and reveals the nuances of relationships that change your understanding of what you have already read.

Hilda and Pearl are married to two different brothers, thrown together by their choice of spouse, and made friends through their own efforts. Hilda is older, slightly more world weary, and not always easy to get along with. Pearl has a more difficult time masking her emotions, has a softer personality in general, and often defers to Hilda. These are the personalities we see of the two women, as shaped by the perceptions of Hilda’s daughter, Frances. As Frances understands her world, her mother and Pearl have a curious and close relationship, her cousin, Simon, has a knack for disappearing, and her father is very little like his brother, Mike. What Frances does not understand, she makes up. As the novel progresses, the reader begins to understand how little Frances knows of Hilda and Pearl’s complex lives and relationships.

Hilda and Pearl is safely set in the past, during the McCarthy era, but both the political sentiments and the emotional responses ring true for today. Mattison creates a hauntingly true world for the reader to turn around and around in, weaving the story together from the shared moments of the characters.

[Kristine Goldberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a little slow and boring to me. I think the author did a good job showing the complexities of a loving friendship between sisters-in-law. I enjoyed some parts of the story. The story took place before, during, and after World War II. The characters worried about the stressful times, but their lives were not as impacted as most people's lives during that time. The characters did have many personal problems, but these were mostly caused by their own actions. I was a little disappointed that there weren't more events in the book.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strange relationship between sisters-in-law in the late 30's, early 40's. Many interesting relationship & emotional issues kept me reading but left me wanting more...even wondering why or how these people could be so aloof & disconnected...an okay read, but nothing that I'd recommend to a friend.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay...not great, not awful. I also kept reading, hoping for something "big" to happen but nothing did. I'm sorry to say I personally could not have forgiven anyone who had done to me what happened in this book but perhaps that is the whole point of the story.

[Joggingt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book about the dynamics between two brothers and their wives. The brothers personalities are very different and yet their wives form a bond around troublesome situations that will would normally drive people a part. Frances is really a minor tool for the story. I do like the way that the beginning scene is also the ending scene.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it very much. It was an interesting look at how life changes your relationships with people...sometimes good, sometimes bad and sometimes both. Two friends must learn to deal with an unforgivable event, learn to cope with unimaginable pain or make a decision that will change everything...

[Kathy Hale · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two women who live in NY, married to two brothers, are challenged by their children as to a missing child. Some twists and turns. Not sure where the author is going sometimes by introducing different elements that seem to have nothing to do with the story as a whole.

[Susan Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good at capturing some of the feeling of the 1940s and 50s among left-wing New York Jews. Summer cabins and all.

[Korin Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story was intriguing enough to keep reading. Characters weren't likeable and everyone had issues.

[Deborah Brande]

weird

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not connect to this book. It just never got going. DNF.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brooklyn, New York during the McCarthy era, and 11 year old Frances is absorbed by secrets, the ones she and her friend, Lydia create to add some excitement to their games and the ones she senses are being withheld from her by those closest to her. An excellent read. Highly recommended.

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up at the book fair because I was intrigued by the cover. Within the first few pages, I knew I was going to like the book. I found it difficult to put down. Sometimes the writing was a bit stilted, but the book was still entertaining.

The book is about 2 women who married brothers in the years before WWII, and the friendship they formed. The story begins during the McCarthy era in the 50's, with one of the brothers having to worry about his job because of his political activities. Hilda has a daughter, Frances, who grows up believing she is an only child. Through bits and pieces of conversation, she learns there was a baby who died. The story back-tracks into the 30's as the women remember their past.

I believe the author's point is to show that friendship is a choice and you can make the choice to have a friendship that survives betrayal, tragedy, and disappointment. There were 2 separate events that would have torn most friends apart, yet these women chose to get past them and remain friends.

I didn't rate the book higher, because there were too many loose ends. I feel like I need to know when happened next. Does Frances find out what really happened all those years ago, and how does she deal with it. What about her cousin Simon. Where is he now and does he learn the truth. Does Mike ever become close to anyone....his wife?, his brother?, his son?

[Amy Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cyclic in its telling, it circles around a family: two brothers, their wives, and children, from the 'now' of early McCarthy era communist witch-hunts back to mid-Depression when they first married and returning to the 'now'.

This is not a story with grand resolution of issues, but quiet introspection and forgiveness in some cases, glimpses into lives.

It seems hinted that Hilda and Pearl are more than sister-in-laws and friends, though there is not anything overtly explicit in the text as to their being lovers beyond a comfort in being naked around one another. Heterosexual sex is described however, even when it transgresses marital bonds. Possibly this is a nod to the lesser visibility of same-sex relationships in the time period - or maybe I am reading too much into their interactions, as a bisexual woman myself.

Enjoyable slow quiet read (not that the pacing is tedious, but rather an enjoyable sedate pace) and slice of life.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love this book! Originally when I picked up this book I did not understand the meaning behind all of the hurt and betrayl that these women caused each other, but near the end it all came crashing in. The lesson of loving people even when they are wrong and the bond that these women had was so heartwarming.
The strength of the relationship that Hilda and Pearl have is wonderful. Through thick and thin the two stick by each others sides and grow as one. I hope to have this sort of relationship with I grow old!!!
I would have liked the story line with Francis finished but I know that is was only a medium to show the bond between Hilda and Pearl.
I would suggest this to any woman who strives to find the soul mate sister. The person who loves you and all of you including your errors.

[Nomi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book at its beginning. The premise of a child growing up in the '50s learning about her parents' lives in the '30s hooked me right away. Unfortunately, I found the writing uneven, a story told in the 3 different female character voices, moving back and forth in time, leaving some loose ends while exhausting two themes to distraction. By the time it loops back on itself at its end, I was worn out with the tedium of the presentation and lack of growth in the characters. I am hopeful this family was not based on anyone real. The intertwining of their lives comes across,in the end, as sleazy rather than interesting. While some turns of phrase are beautiful, there was nothing to inspire. Ultimately, the story missed-as either an authentic rendering of relationships or historical fantasy.

[Havebooks Willread · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilda and Pearl examined a unique friendship between sisters-in-law. The setting. . .well, it's a little confusing as the point of view switches among the women and a young girl, but the meat of the novel is set in the 1930s. The women's relationship grows as they experience betrayal and loss. I appreciated this book because I can relate to the complexities inherent in friendships between women.

I'm not quite sure what I think of this book overall. I kept reading because I just had to know what happened, but it was slow-moving. At the end, however, I could see how all the small details came together to fill in the picture of their friendship. I was also not a fan of the changing perspectives of characters and time period. I think I liked it more after I finished it than while I was reading it, but it's not one I would read again.

[Amanda Montero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! At first it seemed slow starting off but once I got to the middle it pulled me in. I love when you can relate so well to a character or multiple characters! It is so wonderful when you know an author must have felt that emmotion before because they are able to discribe or write about it that reminds you of when you felt that way. This book is set in a simpler time but it reminds you that just because their times seemed simpler to us doesn't mean they truely were. A MUST READ for anyone who has done something they may have wanted to take back but the action brought on a better result.

[Margaret Kenney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginning with a snapshot of sisters-in-law Hilda and Pearl on a vacation in New York state, the author moves back to the time they met and examines how their choices, husbands and world events shaped their relationship. While reading I often wished for more insight into how the characters felt. Instead, as a reader, I felt that the relationship between the two women remained private and that I was an outsider. The story unfolds slowly with events passing like time itself. Perhaps this is the effect that the author was trying to create.

Little action, no deep character analysis,

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of two sisters in law in the 30's/40's era as told by the two sisters (Hilda and Pearl) and the daughter of one (Frances). As I got deeper into this book, I wasn't sure how to take the narrators or storyline as it just around quite a bit on the timeline, but as I came to the end of the book, I thought that time jumping was well constructed and shined a light on how a relationship evolves.

There are some plot surprises that I do not want to expose, but it is enough to say that their relationship goes through stages of indifference, disdain, pain, support, and deep love.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was really just OK. I can't even say that I liked it that much. It's mostly about the relationship between two sisters-in- law who have a very complicated relationship. They are able to overcome a lot of pain that they inflict on each other, but the narration of their tale is slow and plodding. There are many loose ends that are never resolved. My reaction at the end of the book was that it was pointless and somewhat uninspired. Not something that I would recommend.

[eRin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. This could not maintain my interest. It took me over a week to read, which is very unusual for me. The central story is of an interesting friendship, but none of the characters are likeable and Mattison attempts to show the viewpoint of each. That attemt fails as we don't get to really understand any of the characters

[Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book switched focus between Frances, Pearl, and Hilda. I found it most effective when Hilda was the narrator. I found Frances hard to care about about/feel her motivations and I found Pearl not realistic - too hollow. I never got too into the book.

[Marcia Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed in this read, which I found too simplistic, pedestrian, and not especially original. I figured out the Big Secret so early on that it wasn't worth slogging through to see how the big reveal would play out.

[Debara Zeller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unless this is about a repressed lesbian love, I find the relationship between the two female characters impossible to fathom. Hilda has more than one reason to despise Pearl, and yet the two become best friends. Go figure.

[Cynthia Paschen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Alice Mattison.

[Leslee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alice Mattison's writing style is very spare--one could say flat--and yet she had emotionally hooked me by the end.

[Angie Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome insight into sister-in-laws during the depression/beginnings of WWII. Lots of conflicts/issues/relationship drama...loved it!

[Paula Byra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in NY in the 1930's. the struggles of two young couples and their political opinions and beliefs. I really enjoyed this easy/thought provoking read.