April group read

[Elsbeth]

I haven't started this, but I thought I'd set up a discussion already. I've just read another book by John Steinbeck (Of Mice and Men), which I loved a lot. So I'm looking forward to this one!

[Jonelle]

Just finished The Pearl. Really liked it. Want to reread Of Mice And Men, because I think I would enjoy it much more as an adult!
Steinbeck had such a way with words - creating almost a language of life - giving song to nature and parts of our lives.
I felt for Juana and Kino. I pulled for them to rise above and mourned with them in their loss.
This truly was a classic! Thanks again, Melissa!

[Elsbeth]

Jonelle wrote: "Just finished The Pearl. Really liked it. Want to reread Of Mice And Men, because I think I would enjoy it much more as an adult!
Steinbeck had such a way with words - creating almost a language of..."

I agree with him having 'a way with words' - the people in Of Mice and Men really talk like the people they supposed to be (men and 1 woman not even close to the upper class) with accents etc. You really get into the characters.

[Linda]

I was very moved by "The Pearl" Steinbeck has a way of pulling you into the lives of his characters. I've read a lot of his books and even though they can have disturbing situations they portray real life of real people. Kino and Juana were happy innocent people until he found the pearl. The assumption that wealth would bring happiness was shattered by the greed of the pearl buyers and the violence they resorted to to obtain the pearl. You are left to wonder if and how the couple can rebuild a life among the people who betrayed them.

[Betsy]

I finally finished reading The Pearl, by John Steinbeck. It is quite an interesting story. From what I gathered it is a retelling of a Mexican folk tale. Kino is a poor pearl diver, who set out to find a pearl and the discovery of the great pearl of the world, affected the lives of all those who laid eyes on it. The story is a fore warning of how obsession, greed and fear can destroy lives. It all came about when Kino's young son was bitten by a scorpion. The doctor's refusal to help Kino's family because he didn't have the means to pay for his services propelled him to look for a pearl, hoping it would bring about a reversal of fortune. When the pearl was first discovered it was a blessing in disguise but it soon became a curse and lives were changed for ever. Although the book was a short read I really enjoyed reading the story. Its a stark remainder that the sudden acquisition of wealth can change a person's perception, no matter how much we say it wont change us.

[Elsbeth]

And yesterday I finally finished this one! I liked it, but from the beginning you get an idea as to how it might end and it ends a bit like you expect.
I have to say, I liked Of Mice and Men better.