* One of the Daily Telegraph's 100 GREATEST NOVELS OF ALL TIME *

Through every family run memories which bind it together - despite everything.

The Tulls of Baltimore are no exception. Abandoned by her salesman husband, Pearl is left to bring up her three children alone - Cody, a flawed devil, Ezra, a flawed saint, and Jenny, errant and passionate.

Now, as Pearl lies dying, stiffly encased in her pride and solitude, the past is unlocked and with it its secrets.