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The Pearl Thief
This is a lovely little short story about Hassan, a poor Bahraini islander, who finds himself in desperate circumstances. Driven by the need to take care of his ageing parents, he embarks on the unthinkable; a pearl diving quest when he can't even swim. But can Hassan be more than he is? Can he leave his world of poverty and being looked-down upon, to finally be someone in life and provide for his family? Or will he always be a poor man's son, destined to a life of destitution and struggle?
30 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 19, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 23, 2019
A lovely short story, beautifully written, that sees a young Bahraini man, Hassan, down on his luck. To help feed his family he takes a job as a pearl diver, even though he can't swim. Is Hassan destined to be poor forever? Or does fate have something else in store for him? For Hassan has an agenda...
June 14, 2023
Hassan, um pobre coitado, fica desempregado e tem como única opção, para se sustentar a si e a seus pais, tornar-se um pescador de pérolas. Só há um detalhe, ele não sabe nadar.
62/198 – Bahrein, Barém, Barein ou Bareine
62/198 – Bahrein, Barém, Barein ou Bareine
July 23, 2023
#ReadAroundTheWorld #Bahrain
This is a short novella by debut Bahraini author Noor al-Noaimi, read as part of my Read Around the World challenge. It is set in the island country of Bahrain at a time when it consisted of fishing villages and also had a traditional pearl diving industry. The Bahrain described in the story sounds vastly different than the wealthy post-oil modern nation of high rises and shopping malls.
The story features Hassan a poor villager struggling to feed himself and his parents. He embarks on a new life as a pearl diver to try and improve his fortunes, despite being unable to swim and terrified of the dangers that await him.
The story was very short and felt like more of a taste-tester than an actual fleshed out story. I enjoyed the scene-setting and insight into the Bahrain of the time but I wanted the story to continue, more character development and more events. It felt like the introduction to a book that didn’t continue.
This is a short novella by debut Bahraini author Noor al-Noaimi, read as part of my Read Around the World challenge. It is set in the island country of Bahrain at a time when it consisted of fishing villages and also had a traditional pearl diving industry. The Bahrain described in the story sounds vastly different than the wealthy post-oil modern nation of high rises and shopping malls.
The story features Hassan a poor villager struggling to feed himself and his parents. He embarks on a new life as a pearl diver to try and improve his fortunes, despite being unable to swim and terrified of the dangers that await him.
The story was very short and felt like more of a taste-tester than an actual fleshed out story. I enjoyed the scene-setting and insight into the Bahrain of the time but I wanted the story to continue, more character development and more events. It felt like the introduction to a book that didn’t continue.
January 18, 2026
[Around the world with books- Bahrain 🇧🇭]
It didn’t even feel like a short story, more like an incomplete draft. The writer could have developed the characters much more fully, explored both sides of life in Bahrain (locals and tourists), and expanded on Hasan’s brilliant ideas for becoming rich. The conversations, especially about marriage, could also have been more sophisticated, touching on traditional norms, values, and the importance of family and caregiving.
It didn’t even feel like a short story, more like an incomplete draft. The writer could have developed the characters much more fully, explored both sides of life in Bahrain (locals and tourists), and expanded on Hasan’s brilliant ideas for becoming rich. The conversations, especially about marriage, could also have been more sophisticated, touching on traditional norms, values, and the importance of family and caregiving.
October 6, 2024
reading around the world one book at a time 2024: bahrain
Set in the kingdom island of Bahrain, this short story follows Hassan, who, down on his luck, has to join a pearl diving crew in order to be able to feed his family.
The novella tells us about the abject poverty of many bahraini citizens, and the almost feudal society they are stuck in — having to become a pearl diver, one of the most dangerous jobs one can find in the island, is the wake up call that makes him see how he can’t escape his fate unless he plays the rich people’s game. I truly don’t see the point of the story, I’m tempted to describe it as a slice of life tale.
I found the writing style amateurish and too on the nose, very exposition-heavy, and with a lot of mistakes on the use of punctuation of all things. Not a great experience, it barely reaches two stars because I feel like this review is too rough otherwise.
Set in the kingdom island of Bahrain, this short story follows Hassan, who, down on his luck, has to join a pearl diving crew in order to be able to feed his family.
The novella tells us about the abject poverty of many bahraini citizens, and the almost feudal society they are stuck in — having to become a pearl diver, one of the most dangerous jobs one can find in the island, is the wake up call that makes him see how he can’t escape his fate unless he plays the rich people’s game. I truly don’t see the point of the story, I’m tempted to describe it as a slice of life tale.
I found the writing style amateurish and too on the nose, very exposition-heavy, and with a lot of mistakes on the use of punctuation of all things. Not a great experience, it barely reaches two stars because I feel like this review is too rough otherwise.
January 9, 2026
A snappy, slice-of-life piece that beautifully explored family dynamics and ties. It was just too short and left me wanting more!
April 1, 2025
2,5
Una pequeña y breve historia de un muchacho pobre, en el pequeño país insular del Golfo Pérsico de Baréin, que se ve obligado a aceptar el trabajo de aceptar un trabajo como buceador en busca de perlas.
La historia está bien escrita, aunque los personajes están un poco estereotipados: los pobres que luchan por sobrevivir, y los ricos sheiks o emires, que son despiadados y despectivos.
La trama tiene algún giro interesante, que hubiera merecido un mayor desarrollo; ocurren demasiados cambios en muy pocos renglones o páginas.
Debe ser la primera vez que critico una obra por ser demasiado breve.
Pareciera que esta obra forma parte de una iniciativa de promover la literatura en Baréin, lo cual me parece muy meritorio.
Una pequeña y breve historia de un muchacho pobre, en el pequeño país insular del Golfo Pérsico de Baréin, que se ve obligado a aceptar el trabajo de aceptar un trabajo como buceador en busca de perlas.
La historia está bien escrita, aunque los personajes están un poco estereotipados: los pobres que luchan por sobrevivir, y los ricos sheiks o emires, que son despiadados y despectivos.
La trama tiene algún giro interesante, que hubiera merecido un mayor desarrollo; ocurren demasiados cambios en muy pocos renglones o páginas.
Debe ser la primera vez que critico una obra por ser demasiado breve.
Pareciera que esta obra forma parte de una iniciativa de promover la literatura en Baréin, lo cual me parece muy meritorio.
June 23, 2016
I wanted more. This short story just opens a tiny slither of life in Bahrain for the poor. Poetic in parts, it has the makings of a much bigger, longer and engrossing story.
December 13, 2025
A very short little story for a tiny island country. I don’t think I even knew Bahrain existed before this challenge, and finding a book by a Bahraini author was also a challenge of itself. This book by Noor Al Noaimi was the only one I could get my hands on.
As far as reviewing the book goes, it definitely had some profound moments, but overall could have been longer. One thing I’ll say, it has a very strong sense of place. The heat of the desert, the sun off the ocean waves, the palm trees and the dust, the sun scorched skin—I definitely felt transported. I could picture it very well. I was intrigued about the pearl divers and Hassan’s parents, and life on the island, the different class distinctions and the cultural melting pot that Bahrain seems to be. But none of this was really dug into by the author, and in the end it read more as a parable for getting wealthy than anything else. In a way, it almost felt like it came right out of a Thousand and One Nights. Whether that’s a positive or negative critique, I’ll let you decide.
As far as reviewing the book goes, it definitely had some profound moments, but overall could have been longer. One thing I’ll say, it has a very strong sense of place. The heat of the desert, the sun off the ocean waves, the palm trees and the dust, the sun scorched skin—I definitely felt transported. I could picture it very well. I was intrigued about the pearl divers and Hassan’s parents, and life on the island, the different class distinctions and the cultural melting pot that Bahrain seems to be. But none of this was really dug into by the author, and in the end it read more as a parable for getting wealthy than anything else. In a way, it almost felt like it came right out of a Thousand and One Nights. Whether that’s a positive or negative critique, I’ll let you decide.
March 9, 2025
Read the world pick for Bahrain 🌎
This short story was such an easy, enjoyable read that I finished it in almost one sitting.
I thought I wouldn't like it because of the seemingly strange premise but I was wrong! It was an interesting story which kept me hooked and gave me a nice insight into Bahrain, a country I knew nothing about before this.
I'd recommend this.
This short story was such an easy, enjoyable read that I finished it in almost one sitting.
I thought I wouldn't like it because of the seemingly strange premise but I was wrong! It was an interesting story which kept me hooked and gave me a nice insight into Bahrain, a country I knew nothing about before this.
I'd recommend this.
August 15, 2025
This was barely a short story but I enjoyed it. I wish it would have been longer.
October 18, 2024
More of a 2.5 for me simply because of how short it was. Every aspect was essentially glossed over when I wanted to dive further in depth, especially the ending. The stakes also felt incredibly low considering how dangerous pearl diving was implied to be; the fact that nothing truly notable or dangerous happened on his venture out to sea really ruined the climax for me — was there even a climax at all? The story would have also benefitted from the Nokth’a being a more present threat, but still a nice snippet into Bahrain. I’ll definitely need to read some poetry from the country in the future.
February 10, 2025
*3.5
Esse pequeno conto foi uma viagem. Eu me senti bem ignorante porque nunca tinha pensado como é feita a coleta de pérolas, eu só conhecia o esquema de pérolas "estimuladas" artificialmente. Foi interessante e divertido acompanhar a jornada e ascensão desse protagonista. Uma coisa que me incomodou foi a escrita. Não sei se é questão de tradução, mas a escrita parecia muito amadora, as vezes meio bobinha, especialmente no começo. Mas relevando isso consegui aproveitar.
His pearl was to belong to another man, his efforts were only there to make another man richer. [...] So he was to be a slave? Endangering his life to keep his master happy?
Livro lido como parte do projeto Lendo Um Livro de Cada País do Mundo: Bahrein.
Livro também lido como parte do Desafio das Palavras-Chaves: Tesouros (abril).
Esse pequeno conto foi uma viagem. Eu me senti bem ignorante porque nunca tinha pensado como é feita a coleta de pérolas, eu só conhecia o esquema de pérolas "estimuladas" artificialmente. Foi interessante e divertido acompanhar a jornada e ascensão desse protagonista. Uma coisa que me incomodou foi a escrita. Não sei se é questão de tradução, mas a escrita parecia muito amadora, as vezes meio bobinha, especialmente no começo. Mas relevando isso consegui aproveitar.
His pearl was to belong to another man, his efforts were only there to make another man richer. [...] So he was to be a slave? Endangering his life to keep his master happy?
Livro lido como parte do projeto Lendo Um Livro de Cada País do Mundo: Bahrein.
Livro também lido como parte do Desafio das Palavras-Chaves: Tesouros (abril).
August 13, 2015
lovely attempt by a first time author. Doubly proud because she is the member of the Bahrain Writers' Circle. Well done Noor Al Noaimi
July 7, 2024
I read this book as part of my quest to read a book written by an author from each of the 196 countries of the world. The author of this book is from Bahrain.
This is a short story written about Hassan, a poor Bahraini islander, who lives with his aging parents. He decides to sign on to become a pearl diver, even though he cannot swim! His family is horrified and are sure he will never return.
I enjoyed reading this story and learning about the history of pearls in Bahrain. Bahrain is comprised of 33 islands in the Arabian Gulf. Up until 1932, diving for pearls was the main resource of income in Bahrain. The discovery of oil and the arrival of the ‘Cultured Pearl’ from Japan combined to end this tradition. The pearling journey typically took three or four months, usually starting in June and ending in October every year. The number of pearling ships which sailed to the pearl beds in some seasons reached more than 2,500 ships.
The name ‘Bahrain’ derives from two Arabic words – thnain Bahr – meaning two seas which refers to the existence of fresh water springs located under the sea bed. This phenomenon is believed to be responsible for the unusual luster of Bahraini pearls.
Tourists can still sign up for tours that will take them diving for pearls.
This is a short story written about Hassan, a poor Bahraini islander, who lives with his aging parents. He decides to sign on to become a pearl diver, even though he cannot swim! His family is horrified and are sure he will never return.
I enjoyed reading this story and learning about the history of pearls in Bahrain. Bahrain is comprised of 33 islands in the Arabian Gulf. Up until 1932, diving for pearls was the main resource of income in Bahrain. The discovery of oil and the arrival of the ‘Cultured Pearl’ from Japan combined to end this tradition. The pearling journey typically took three or four months, usually starting in June and ending in October every year. The number of pearling ships which sailed to the pearl beds in some seasons reached more than 2,500 ships.
The name ‘Bahrain’ derives from two Arabic words – thnain Bahr – meaning two seas which refers to the existence of fresh water springs located under the sea bed. This phenomenon is believed to be responsible for the unusual luster of Bahraini pearls.
Tourists can still sign up for tours that will take them diving for pearls.
March 13, 2024
This is a very short, 30 pages, story from Bahraini author Noaimi that I choose for my Read the World challenge. It's not a bad story but I didn't get anything from it. A young man who is chastised by his father and the only bread winner of the family is fired from his very low paying job and so decides to take on the dangerous job of pearl diver. Being a slave in labor and seeing the gains of his masters changes the man to work the system to improve his station.
Is there a moral to this story or something I was supposed to get out of it? The only thing I can think of is what happens to the man's previous employer at the very end of the book or that there is a greed to wealth that has the man acquire more pearls. It is not poorly written, I just didn't get much from the story.
Is there a moral to this story or something I was supposed to get out of it? The only thing I can think of is what happens to the man's previous employer at the very end of the book or that there is a greed to wealth that has the man acquire more pearls. It is not poorly written, I just didn't get much from the story.
January 29, 2018
The Pearl Thief offers an insightful glimpse into Bahrain's pearling past. It's hard to reconcile a not-so-distant-history, before the discovery of oil, when Bahrain was full of little fishing villages, with the glossy, sleek version of contemporary Gulf cities that we all think of today. But Noor Al Noaimi's evocative, lovely prose brings this other world to life in a few short strokes. Though her story of desperate survival and moral quandary may seem simple, it's themes and revelations run deep.
December 13, 2024
2.75
The book is way too short while trying way too much. Although beautifully written, it lacks any depth of the characters and a compelling storyline. Everything works out perfectly for the main character without him having to overcome any challenges at all. Moreover, the end felt too abrupt. It is, however, a good story to get a glimpse into Bahrain's culture. The premise of the book is good but badly implemented which is certainly due to the short length of the book.
The book is way too short while trying way too much. Although beautifully written, it lacks any depth of the characters and a compelling storyline. Everything works out perfectly for the main character without him having to overcome any challenges at all. Moreover, the end felt too abrupt. It is, however, a good story to get a glimpse into Bahrain's culture. The premise of the book is good but badly implemented which is certainly due to the short length of the book.
May 14, 2024
Around the World - Bahrain
What would you do to feed your family? Not even to better your life, but to literally feed your family when every option is to make someone else rich? Maybe take a diving job when you can't swim? Maybe steal? Maybe exaggerate to sell your stolen goods?
I enjoyed this short story; I wish that it was longer.
What would you do to feed your family? Not even to better your life, but to literally feed your family when every option is to make someone else rich? Maybe take a diving job when you can't swim? Maybe steal? Maybe exaggerate to sell your stolen goods?
I enjoyed this short story; I wish that it was longer.
January 24, 2025
This novelette is beautiful in its description of its culture. The author does a fantastic job of transporting you to the location, through poetic descriptions. On the other hand, her character development and story line are not as strong as they could be. The story seems to be missing logic and a deeper understanding of why people make certain decisions.
November 13, 2025
Reading around the world: Bahrain
One of the very meh entries I've read for this challenge. Granted, there weren't many other books from Bahrain that I was interested in.
It was just very meandering and there wasn't really a story. I did like learning about pearl diving though.
One of the very meh entries I've read for this challenge. Granted, there weren't many other books from Bahrain that I was interested in.
It was just very meandering and there wasn't really a story. I did like learning about pearl diving though.
January 9, 2026
Bahrain for Read Around Asia.
At only 25 pages, I was surprised by how much Noor Al Noaimi was able to fit it. She obviously knows a lot about pearl diving because her grandfather was one. I've never thought about where pearls come from before.
At only 25 pages, I was surprised by how much Noor Al Noaimi was able to fit it. She obviously knows a lot about pearl diving because her grandfather was one. I've never thought about where pearls come from before.
January 11, 2026
A thrilling short story on the choice to take life in your own hands! The descriptions of Bahrain were beautiful and the culture was described with feeling despite only being about 30 pages long. A really good read!
June 23, 2020
This book highlights hard work and self sufficiency albeit with a little trickery. The setting is beautiful, the writing romantic, an easy captivating read.
July 11, 2021
(Bahrain)
An enjoyable enough little story. A few typos. I wish it went into the actual process of pearl diving a bit more, it was kind of glossed over.
An enjoyable enough little story. A few typos. I wish it went into the actual process of pearl diving a bit more, it was kind of glossed over.
July 6, 2022
didn’t expect to enjoy this that much jesus
October 20, 2023
Short story on Bahrain pearl trade, unsure of the date, but I’m assuming 1980s??? Very well written
April 26, 2024
Read around the world for Bahrain. I wish it had been longer. I had no idea about the history of pearl diving in Bahrain. Very interesting!
June 1, 2024
Desafío "Leyendo a través de Asia": Baréin (créditos a Lee (Books With Lee)).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews