Jewel by Bret Lott | Oprah’s Book Club Southern Novel of Love, Strength, and Family

Discover the heartfelt and inspiring story behind Jewel by Bret Lott, a beautifully written Southern novel that captured national attention as part of Oprah’s Book Club. Blending raw emotion, Southern charm, and unshakable resilience, this acclaimed literary work tells a mother’s story of unwavering love and perseverance against life’s toughest challenges.

First published in 1991, Jewel is set in rural Mississippi during the 1940s, where the title character, Jewel Hilburn, lives a modest but content life with her husband and children. Her world changes forever with the birth of her youngest daughter, Brenda Kay, who has Down syndrome. Told with honesty and compassion, the novel follows Jewel’s determined fight to ensure her daughter’s future, leading her family on a journey from Mississippi to California in search of opportunity and hope.

Bret Lott’s deeply moving prose and authentic portrayal of family bonds make Jewel an unforgettable exploration of motherhood, courage, and the power of love. The book gained widespread acclaim after being chosen by Oprah Winfrey for her Book Club, praised for its emotional depth and vivid depiction of one woman’s will to defy hardship.

📘 Key Features:

• Title: Jewel

• Author: Bret Lott

• Genre: Historical Fiction / Southern Literature / Family Drama

• Publication Year: 1991

• Publisher: Pocket Books

• Accolades: Oprah’s Book Club Selection

• Themes: Motherhood, perseverance, disability, family resilience, unconditional love

• Setting: Rural Mississippi and postwar California

💫 Why You’ll Love It:
Perfect for fans of heartfelt Southern fiction and emotionally rich storytelling, Jewel offers an unforgettable reading experience about love, faith, and the sacrifices made for family. Bret Lott’s writing captures the strength of the human spirit and the transformative power of hope.

Add this Oprah’s Book Club edition of Jewel to your literary collection — a timeless tale of courage, devotion, and the enduring beauty of motherhood.