{"title":"Mary K. Pershall","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscover the compelling works of Mary K. Pershall, an acclaimed author celebrated for her insightful and heartfelt narratives. With a career spanning several decades, Pershall has captured the complexities of life through her evocative language and deeply personal storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of her notable works, \u003cem\u003eGorgeous Girl\u003c\/em\u003e, delves into the poignant reality of raising a daughter grappling with mental illness and the tumultuous path that follows. This memoir is a testament to Pershall's ability to weave her personal experiences into universally relatable themes, offering readers both solace and understanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePershall's writing is deeply rooted in empathy and authenticity, inviting readers to explore the challenges and triumphs of life through her unique lens. Her contributions to the Biography \u0026amp; Memoir category are not only educational but provide a comforting companionship for those navigating similar experiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you are new to her works or revisiting them, Mary K. Pershall's books offer a touching journey into the heart of family, resilience, and love.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"gorgeous-girl-by-mary-k-pershall-9780143789925","title":"Gorgeous Girl","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAward-winning writer Mary K. Pershall details her heart-rending personal experience of raising a beloved child who couldn't cope with reality and ends up in a maximum-security prison convicted of murder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe only way to comprehend this tragic story of mine is to write it.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn the 10th of February 2017, there was a sentencing hearing for murder in the Victorian Supreme Court. The young woman in the dock, who sat quietly with her hands in her lap, had perfect skin and light-brown hair tied back as neatly as a private school prefect's. When the judge asked her to confirm her plea, the young woman answered in a clear and polite voice. 'Guilty, your Honour.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThat killer is Mary K. Pershall's beloved daughter Anna. She is twenty-eight years old, tall and beautiful, with an effervescent wit and a university degree in psychology. She also hears the voices of demons. After Anna finished uni, she just could not meet the demands of adulthood, and the voices became overwhelming. She attempted to silence them with alcohol and weed, with the abuse of her prescribed medication, and with ice. But the evil howling would not stop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAward-winning author Mary K. Pershall brings a unique and insightful perspective to a story that is at once devastating and uplifting, and proves that a mother's love - even in its darkest hour - can shed light and provide hope to families in crisis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46372039786732,"sku":"9780143789925","price":36.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/4615443482239.jpg?v=1744814373"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/mary-k-pershall.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}