The Pearl (Centennial Edition) by John Steinbeck
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Book Reviews of The Pearl (Centennial Edition)
Book Review: The Pearl
Summary: 5 Stars
`The Pearl' is another book by Steinbeck of such searing beauty that it leaves you breathless and in awe. You know from the first few pages and the simple, yet captivating descriptions of a family's early morning habits, that this book will live up to the promise you feel from reading past Steinbeck works. Following a pearl fisherman who finds a life changing sized pearl and how it changes him, his family and more importantly the reactions of those around him. This starts with wonder and hope for the future and descends into blackness and misery because of the wealth the pearl represents and the jealousies it arouses. This easily matches the short, succinct beauty of Hemingways `The Old Man and the Sea' and I'm surprised it isn't given more attention by school syllabus setters or lovers of fiction in general. This is a short, powerful novella and it is as terse and well written as all of Steinbecks masterly works. If you know his style you'll know what to expect and if you're new to Steinbeck, then you are in for a real treat. This also includes some wonderful line drawings to illustrate the story. Stunning, beautiful and highly recommended.Book Review: so much story, so little pages!
Summary: 5 Stars
This novella is an exquisite example of the old mantra 'power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely'. Kino is a Mexican pearl diver who supports his family by finding small, low-quality quality pearls to sell. This is the way his family and his neighbors' families have made a livelihood for generations. It only provides them with just enough money to get by, and sometimes not even that. But on the other side of town, the wealthy live with nary a thought for their less privileged neighbors. This all changes when Kino finds the largest pearl anyone has ever seen, `the pearl of the world'. All of a sudden, he can't get them to stop paying attention to him. They lie and cheat to try to get his pearl, and the whole situation escalates out of control. It eventually ends in tragedy, which proves that it is better to be poor and happy than rich and empty.Book Review: In praise of Melancholy....
Summary: 5 Stars
I was warned about the horribly tragic theme of this novel, but I fell in love with "Of Mice and Men", so I decided to crack open the shell and grab The Pearl as well.
Admittedly, the sadness and sense of hopelessness of human dreams, similar to that found in "Of Mice and Men" pervades this novel. If you want to read something fun and light, then this novel is not for you and John Steinbeck is not the author for you.
The plot is simple, like other Steinbeck's novels, but the emotional journey the heart and mind takes with this novel has no equal. "The Pearl" is yet another Steinbeck masterpiece, worth exploring time and time again.
Book Review: Little book, BIG treat!
Summary: 5 Stars
I remembered what an impression this book left on me when I read it in high school, so I bought a copy to own and to read to my kids, ages 4, 6, and 8. Don't be deceived by how slender this book is. The story is vibrantly told with the descriptive style uniquely "John Steinbeck." The story is about the complexities of wealth vs. the simplicity and innocence of "living on love" and not much money. This little masterpiece of Steinbeck's is more than fascinating enough to keep the attention of an adult and so descriptively-written a young child will hang on every word while experiencing a classic author, padding their vocabulary, and having a true taste of real writing.Book Review: Unforgetable parable
Summary: 5 Stars
The Pearl is a remarkable short story that you can never forget. "And in the surface of the pearl he saw Coyotito lying in the little cave with the top of his head shot away." (pg 117) The book's moral was that, to be happy with what you are in your society and Kino tried to rebel against it and he did not succeed. In the parable, it is all about Kino trying to break out of the circle of poverty, which does not happen, regardless of his efforts. The parable is stressing that you should be satisfied with who you as in the society. It states in real life that you can shape your destiny for the most part but for the others they are predestined.