Book Review: The Pearl

5116aw7c4nl__ss500_Author:       John Steinbeck

Publisher:    Penguin

ISBN:          0-14-200069-8

Website:      Check This Out

Type:         Fiction: Classics

Pages:        87 Trade Paperback

Purchase:    $11.40 @ Amazon.com (HERE)

The Story

“In this short book illuminated by a deep understanding and love of humanity, John Steinbeck retells an old Mexican folk tale:  the story of the great pearl, how it was found, and how it was lost.  For the diver Kino, finding a magnificent pearl means the promise of a better life for this impoverished family.  His dream blinds him to the greed and suspicions the pear arouses in him and his neighbors, and even his loving wife cannot temper his obsession or stem the events leading to the tragedy.”

(Above excerpt is from the front inside cover of the book The Pearl)

The Review

steinbeckI vaguely remember reading this book in high school and over-analyzing it TO DEATH.  As soon as I started to read the story, the details of it came back to me rather quickly.  It’s one of those perfect “the moral of the story is…” books.  This tale is about what greed does to the human spirit.  All along, Kino’s wife can see what the greed is doing to their family, shrouding it with evil.  However, all Kino can see is his pride.  All of his focus centers around obtaining monetary wealth as the result of his discovery of this great pearl.  However, Kino will lose what is the most precious and important of all to him along the way.

Is happiness a little shack on the beach… with food, family, friends and a meager lifestyle?  Is happiness the truth of the love that you’ve surrounded yourself with?  Will greed and pride bring the ultimate destruction of what you love the most?  Perhaps.  Steinbeck said,

“For it is said that humans are never satisfied, that you give them one thing and they want something more.  And this is said in disparagement, whereas it is one of the greatest talents the species has and one that has made it superior to animals that are satisfied with what they have.”    

On Sher’s “Out of Ten Scale:”

This book is a quick, yet powerful reminder of appreciating what you have.  I think that Steinbeck is an incredibly gifted writer.  He writes like a painter, painting a canvas with thoughts, scenes, people, and pictures.  His immense talent is very much appreciated, however this wasn’t my “favorite” book of his.  Although, I think it’s a story that would be great for my girls to read and discuss with me afterwards.  It lends itself to great discussion.

For the genre Fiction: Classics, I am going to rate this book an 8 OUT OF 10. 

 

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9 Responses

  1. Jeane

    May 13th, 2009 at 4:15 am

    I had to read this in high school and pick it to pieces, too. Even back then it struck me as being a very powerful story with an important message- while my classmates groaned and were bored!

  2. rhapsodyinbooks

    May 13th, 2009 at 6:08 am

    I love when there are reviews of classics out there instead of just whatever is new. So many of them never got read or read so long ago that you can’t remember. I really appreciated your review!

  3. Kathy

    May 13th, 2009 at 7:53 am

    I don’t think I read this one in high school, but I did read The Grapes of Wrath, so I do agree with you that Steinbeck was a gifted writer.

    Kathy´s last blog post..Wondrous Words Wednesday

  4. Trish

    May 13th, 2009 at 11:22 am

    Aren’t you glad you don’t have to analyze books to death anymore if you don’t want to! I haven’t read anything by him except Travels with Charley, but I AM going to work my way up to East of Eden soon. Sorry this one didn’t live up to some of the others you read, but it sounds like you still liked it well enough.

    Trish´s last blog post..The Tales of Beedle the Bard – JK Rowling

  5. TheChicGeek

    May 13th, 2009 at 11:33 am

    This is a great one. I think it’s always nice to read something that reminds us to appreciate how blessed we are in life :)
    Nice review!
    Have a Happy Day, Sheri :)

  6. Anna

    May 14th, 2009 at 4:30 am

    I’ll have to keep this one in mind. I read Steinbeck’s The Pastures of Heaven in an American Lit class in college. I loved it. Thanks for the review!

    Anna´s last blog post..THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE SKY by Michael Malone

  7. Darlene

    May 14th, 2009 at 7:59 am

    I really enjoy Steinbeck’s writing but haven’t read this one yet although wanted to. I may still pick it up for the Classics Challenge. Thanks for the review.

    Darlene´s last blog post..Book Review: Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier

  8. Cheryl S.

    May 14th, 2009 at 1:15 pm

    We read this in our book group last year. We try to read at least one classic a year. “The Pearl” sends a strong message, but I found it to be a sad story.

  9. Rebecca

    May 17th, 2009 at 12:53 am

    I agree that Steinbeck is a very talented writer. I haven’t read The Pearl yet. Nice review.

    Rebecca´s last blog post..TSS: Summer Reading List


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