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430th out of 24,588 books
—
93,808 voters
The Pearl
A retelling of an old Mexican folk tale involving the discovery of a great pearl and the ensuing misfortune of the fisherman who found it.
Today, nearly forty years after his death, Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck remains one of America's greatest writers and cultural figures.
Today, nearly forty years after his death, Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck remains one of America's greatest writers and cultural figures.
Paperback, Centennial Edition, 87 pages
Published
January 8th 2002
by Penguin Books
(first published 1945)
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It was a big mistake I made 3 days ago, I was going to start 'Charlotte's Web' but instead I started 'The Pearl' thinking it was written before ‘Of Mice and Men’ and on just finishing I found it was written much later. All I remember is my decision to read books in sequence they were published. Anyway it can’t be undone.
The Review:
The Review:
“In the town they tell the story of the great pearl” how it was found and how it was lost again. They tell of Kino, the fisherman, and of his wife, Juana, and of the...more
goodreads david writes this: I'm convinced that the general besmirchers of Steinbeck are fucktards, asswads, and vibrating pustules.
it's nice as a reader (bad, i guess, as a reviewer) when a writer achieves can-do-no-wrong status. reading steinbeck i feel less distance between the writer -> his words -> myself than with nearly any other writer. his prose stylings can't touch his contemporaries, his structure and pacing can be sloppy, he's sentimental, preachy, overly didactic, and his them...more
it's nice as a reader (bad, i guess, as a reviewer) when a writer achieves can-do-no-wrong status. reading steinbeck i feel less distance between the writer -> his words -> myself than with nearly any other writer. his prose stylings can't touch his contemporaries, his structure and pacing can be sloppy, he's sentimental, preachy, overly didactic, and his them...more
27 likes · like · see review
It surprises me that almost everyone on my GR friends list who has rated this book gave it three stars or less. Is this because you all were forced to read it in junior high? I don't recall being assigned this book in school, but back then I probably would have not read it and just faked my way through the test. The books that I do remember reading in school such as Flowers for Algernon, The Outsiders, and The Late Great Me (teenaged boozers get the Reefer Madness treatment) are remembered throu...more
7 likes · like · see review
A sad tale of a happy, young family whose discovery of a pearl of great wealth brings only death and misery.
A fisherman, Kino, discovers a large pearl while harvesting oysters with his wife. Believing they are now rich, the fisherman formulates plans that will allow him and his family to live a better life. The plans are modest and include sending their baby son to school, formally marrying his wife in a church, and buying a rifle.
The Plot
A young fisherman discovers a large pearl. Believing the...more
A fisherman, Kino, discovers a large pearl while harvesting oysters with his wife. Believing they are now rich, the fisherman formulates plans that will allow him and his family to live a better life. The plans are modest and include sending their baby son to school, formally marrying his wife in a church, and buying a rifle.
The Plot
A young fisherman discovers a large pearl. Believing the...more
13 likes · like · see review
This is a very powerful book that's mostly about deceptive treasures - finding certain things that are out of reach to be of utmost importance, or getting to excited about material goods. I really liked how this book shows us that family and our own ways of life are to be appreciated and maintained for their sake, that we shouldn't cast aside the way we want to do things and pursue earthly treasures or the ways that others (in this book, the white folks) do things. Kinda like a story about pulli...more
7 likes · like · see review
Trying to add a bit of fiber to my reading diet, too much teen romance may rot my teeth. I found this one sweet enough to be suspect though.
It has that sad whimsy that says John Steinbeck to me and it's a fast read that's probably good for you. In some ways the pearl that Kino finds reminded me of Frodo's ring. Even down to the fugitives hiding from a dark rider!
Mexico has had a sad history and not all of that sorrow has yet been exorcised. This story gives a flavor of that. It's by turns fanci...more
It has that sad whimsy that says John Steinbeck to me and it's a fast read that's probably good for you. In some ways the pearl that Kino finds reminded me of Frodo's ring. Even down to the fugitives hiding from a dark rider!
Mexico has had a sad history and not all of that sorrow has yet been exorcised. This story gives a flavor of that. It's by turns fanci...more
In this book by John Steinbeck, many surprising things happen- some good, some not so much, but all surprising. Steinbeck words it with care and precision, leaving no space for questioning thoughts and yet leaves suspense, mystery, fear, love, and a sense of family connection. Although it might not turn out how you suspect, it turns out with another emotion. All sorts of feelings run through this book, read to find out.
“The Pearl” is a straightforward fable concerning the evils visited upon a Mexican fisherman, Kino, and his family upon finding The Pearl of the World, which he believes will make him rich and provide them with future opportunities to rise above their station. The theme of the story is rather simplistic and mildly sententious; Steinbeck obviously esteems what he portrays as the interconnectedness of the indigent fishing community and their close relationship to the natural world. But what the ta...more
2 likes · like · see review
Reviewed by Taylor Rector for TeensReadToo.com
Kino and his wife, Juana, have a beautiful baby boy, but one morning he gets stung by a scorpion. He is rushed to the doctor, who will not treat him because they have no form of payment.
The parents get in their boat to look for a pearl to use as payment, and, amazingly, find one that is referred to as the "moon" -- and is about the size of a goose egg.
What happens when they go to the dealers to collect their money? You'll have to read this classic...more
Kino and his wife, Juana, have a beautiful baby boy, but one morning he gets stung by a scorpion. He is rushed to the doctor, who will not treat him because they have no form of payment.
The parents get in their boat to look for a pearl to use as payment, and, amazingly, find one that is referred to as the "moon" -- and is about the size of a goose egg.
What happens when they go to the dealers to collect their money? You'll have to read this classic...more
2 likes · like · see review
Aug 06, 2009
Nicholas Gourlay
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Any Steinbeck fan.
Shelves:
fiction
I love Steinbeck's writing style. He is one of the most powerful and addicting writers that I have read. The Pearl is a short tale about, what else, human nature.
A young family is raised in a private culture which is dominated by 'civilized' people. They have accepted their role in life, when along comes an object that could change their position in life. It changes much more then that. The development in the main character, Kino, throughout the hundred plus pages is believable and understandab...more
A young family is raised in a private culture which is dominated by 'civilized' people. They have accepted their role in life, when along comes an object that could change their position in life. It changes much more then that. The development in the main character, Kino, throughout the hundred plus pages is believable and understandab...more
1 like · like · see review
Jen Starkey
English 7—Wildcats
Mr. Kilby
May 20, 2009
Pearl Review
This book, The Pearl, was nothing special. The book was a parable, so it did have a lesson, to be careful what you wish for, but many stories do. In this book, a poor family living in Mexico has a stroke of luck by finding what comes to be known as “The Pearl of the World”. It is described to be about the size of a seagull’s eye, which is quite big for a pearl.
The style of the book seemed very repetitive in each sentence, especially...more
English 7—Wildcats
Mr. Kilby
May 20, 2009
Pearl Review
This book, The Pearl, was nothing special. The book was a parable, so it did have a lesson, to be careful what you wish for, but many stories do. In this book, a poor family living in Mexico has a stroke of luck by finding what comes to be known as “The Pearl of the World”. It is described to be about the size of a seagull’s eye, which is quite big for a pearl.
The style of the book seemed very repetitive in each sentence, especially...more
3 likes · like · see review
Poor pearl diver in South America finds giant-ass pearl, decides to sell it and use the money to buy medicine for his baby, who just got bitten by a scorpion. The mierda hits the fan, people die, everything generally goes to hell in a handbasket, and it all happens in about the space of time it took you to read this review.
Verdict: meh.
Read for: 10th grade English
Verdict: meh.
Read for: 10th grade English
14 likes · like · see review
May 26, 2009
Katie G
added it
I have read The Pearl, by John Steinbeck. I am aware that we all have many different opinions about this book. This is my thought of it.
I would rate The Pearl a seven out of ten. I thought that it was overly detailed. And due to having a lot of detail in the book, it got confusing at some parts. In my opinion, I thought that the book started off slow. I thought that it got more interesting near the end. At the end there were many unexpected events.
I found it hard to really connect with this b...more
I would rate The Pearl a seven out of ten. I thought that it was overly detailed. And due to having a lot of detail in the book, it got confusing at some parts. In my opinion, I thought that the book started off slow. I thought that it got more interesting near the end. At the end there were many unexpected events.
I found it hard to really connect with this b...more
2 likes · like · see review
Jun 03, 2008
Stephanie
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone
Recommended to Stephanie by:
cranny
Shelves:
book-club-books
This book in my opinion was exactly how I except the concept of wealth. It bring nothing but trouble upon those who are happy without it. I couldn't have written about any better situation to show how money brings about the evil in others and the greed and selfishness in yourself. I thought this book was pretty good.
:)
:)
Oct 17, 2011
Olivia S.
added it
You have heard the saying that small things make big changes. Well, that saying is related to this book. The Pearl, by John Steinbeck, is about a man named Kino and his wife Juana, and thier child, Coyotito. Kino and his family live in a small shack in a town with many other neighbors. One day, the family was just having a usual day when suddenly a scorpian stings Coyotito and he becomes very ill. Juana decides to take the risk of finding the doctor. The doctor is a very rich and selfish man who...more
2 likes · like · see review
This book was about a poor man named Kino. He finds this pearl, that he believes is worth tons. His wife Coyotito and his baby Coyotito are part of his family. Coyotito sufferes a scorpion sting and has to visit a doctor. The doctor is very greedy and selfish, and all he cares about is money. Read this book to find out if Coyotito gets cured or not.
Some people beleive that this pearl has corrupted Kino. Juana believes that the pearl is evil and tries to convince Kino that. Do you think Kino will...more
Some people beleive that this pearl has corrupted Kino. Juana believes that the pearl is evil and tries to convince Kino that. Do you think Kino will...more
1 like · like · see review
I didn't enjoy reading this book, but it's a really good piece of literature. My rating reflects partly my own enjoyment of the book and mostly the rating I think it deserves. By reading it, I've learned a lot about how to actively read and discuss books.
Here are the three discussion questions I came up with for homework:
1. Why is Juana always "trotting" after Kino? Is the narrator comparing hr to an animal? What is the symbolism in this, and when Kino and Juana return home walking side by side?...more
Here are the three discussion questions I came up with for homework:
1. Why is Juana always "trotting" after Kino? Is the narrator comparing hr to an animal? What is the symbolism in this, and when Kino and Juana return home walking side by side?...more
1 like · like · see review
Overall, it's just not very good. I keep debating whether I should rate it one star or two, but ultimately the Goodreads definition of the two-star rating, "it was ok," pushes me over the edge. It wasn't ok; nothing about this was ok.
The writing style is bad, though I haven't read enough Steinbeck to know whether his stilted, awkward prose is just an affectation for this work (in an insulting attempt to illustrate that his main characters are poorly educated), or whether he is just always like t...more
The writing style is bad, though I haven't read enough Steinbeck to know whether his stilted, awkward prose is just an affectation for this work (in an insulting attempt to illustrate that his main characters are poorly educated), or whether he is just always like t...more
Steinbeck knows how to reach into the human heart and bring out what supports it, sensitivity, love, affection. All ingredients that we surpass with objects, things, Steinbeck writes about them, making us remember.
The Pearl came to me I think, when I was a child the only title I had ever picked up from John Steinbeck was Cannery Row because I went to Monterey Bay so often it was like a letter from home for me to read it. But what gets me about the Pearl is that it isn't appreciated, especially...more
The Pearl came to me I think, when I was a child the only title I had ever picked up from John Steinbeck was Cannery Row because I went to Monterey Bay so often it was like a letter from home for me to read it. But what gets me about the Pearl is that it isn't appreciated, especially...more
2 likes · like · see review
I had to read this for school. It did keep my interest, but the ending made the story pointless to me. Actually the story does have a point - it just hits you over the head with it like a hammer. Basically a man continues to strive and struggle, and keeps losing. This I think is an unintended "lesson" in this book, and what I found so annoying. Of course the intended lession is regarding striving for the wrong things, missing what is important.
Books like this should have some ultimate redemption...more
Books like this should have some ultimate redemption...more
9 likes · like · see review
Feb 22, 2009
Amy
added it
So far, I have learned that good fortune can lead to pure evil. When Kino finds a great treasure, everyone turns against him. His people think that he is going to become greedy and selfish. When Kino decides to sell this treasure, all of the buyers try to cheat him because of their jealousy. Kino is not willing to be cheated, though, just because of his lack of education makes him vulnerable of being cheated.
1 like · like · see review
A very simple plot with a simple linguistic structure yet a very very good book.
I liked the over-flowing simplicity and the ambiance of the shore all around the setting of text.
What I liked most about the book is that it triggered the Psychoanalytical theories in relation to literature within me. Since Kino's confrontation with the 'Pearl', which is slightly more of confronting himself in the mirror seeing his subconscious and his mind's eye, and I felt something terrible would happen.
The human...more
I liked the over-flowing simplicity and the ambiance of the shore all around the setting of text.
What I liked most about the book is that it triggered the Psychoanalytical theories in relation to literature within me. Since Kino's confrontation with the 'Pearl', which is slightly more of confronting himself in the mirror seeing his subconscious and his mind's eye, and I felt something terrible would happen.
The human...more
"And, as with all retold tales that are in people's hearts, there are only good things and bad things and black and white things and no in-between things anywhere."
6 likes · like · see review
A brilliant little read from Steinbeck. I'd have given it 5 stars, but I just wanted more. I do like the way Steinbeck never really names the evil. You suspect a lot, but there's no definitive answer.
1 like · like · see review
It seems everyone else in the world has read this long-short story except me. I'm glad I finally got around to it. Powerful stuff!!
With details as stark as the landscape and morals nearly as plain, The Pearl fits into the fable-esque style of tales such as The Good Earth. I read this in school and then many years later as an adult, and I still really enjoy it. Something about the stubborn will of the main character appeals and repulses. You could say the theme of pushing that fine line between simply providing for one's family and out-and-out greed is even more prevalent in America over the last few decades than when The Pe...more
A modern parable worth of classroom reading. :)
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
May 22, 2009
Karl-luis
added it
By: KL
The Pearl: Review
The pearl, Written by John Steinbeck, published in 1945 is in my opinion a very good school book. The book starts of by grabbing the reader’s attention right away in the first chapter. The first chapter really keeps the reader wanting to read more but then the book gets a little boring during the middle part. The book I still a good book though and I would give it a seven if ten was the best.
The pearl starts off by explaining the wonderful view of the Gulf of Mexico and t...more
The Pearl: Review
The pearl, Written by John Steinbeck, published in 1945 is in my opinion a very good school book. The book starts of by grabbing the reader’s attention right away in the first chapter. The first chapter really keeps the reader wanting to read more but then the book gets a little boring during the middle part. The book I still a good book though and I would give it a seven if ten was the best.
The pearl starts off by explaining the wonderful view of the Gulf of Mexico and t...more
The Pearl by John Steinbeck wasn’t incredibly horrible, but it wasn’t a great book, either. It had a valuable lesson and there were some interesting points to it, but overall, the story was boring. I’m not saying it was dull to read. It was easily read because it didn’t have anything extra. It was clear and concise, which I like. Although, the story wouldn’t make me want to read it.
The Pearl is about a poor family, which is usually Steinbeck’s main characters, who live near La Paz, Mexico. Ther...more
The Pearl is about a poor family, which is usually Steinbeck’s main characters, who live near La Paz, Mexico. Ther...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How would u end this book? | 14 | 86 | Mar 08, 2013 10:44am | |
| 2013 Reading Chal...: Group Buddy Read ~ The Pearl by Steinbeck | 18 | 30 | Jul 21, 2012 10:03am | |
| The Pearl by John Steinbeck | 22 | 172 | Apr 24, 2012 10:23am | |
| Kino Vs. Bilbo ? | 2 | 34 | Jan 31, 2012 10:08am | |
| What would you have done? | 12 | 80 | Nov 27, 2011 02:02pm |
John Steinbeck III was an American writer. He wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Grapes of Wrath, published in 1939 and the novella Of Mice and Men, published in 1937. In all, he wrote twenty-five books, including sixteen novels, six non-fiction books and several collections of short stories.
In 1962 Steinbeck received the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Steinbeck grew up in the Salinas Valley...more
More about John Steinbeck...
In 1962 Steinbeck received the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Steinbeck grew up in the Salinas Valley...more
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“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.”
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36 people liked it
“He said, "I am a man," and that meant certain things to Juana. It meant that he was half insane and half god.”
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13 people liked it
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