Helpful Score: 1
Like his father and grandfather before him, Kino is a poor diver, gathering pearls from the Gulf beds that once brought great wealth to the Kings of Spain and now provide Kino, Juana, and their infant son with meager subsistence. Then, on a day like any other, Kino emerges from the sea with a pearl as large as a sead gull's egg, as "perfect as the moon." With the pearl comes hope, the promise of comfort and of security. A story of classic simplicity, based on a Mexican folk tale, THE PEARL explores the secrets of man's nature, the darkest depths of evil and the luminous possibilities of love.
Helpful Score: 1
Kino, a poor Mexican pearl fisher, finds a valuable pearl. Yet instead of bringing blessings, the pearl acts as a harbinger of misfortune to Kino and his wife, Juana. Ultimately, it is returned from whence it came. Steinbeck's parable, originally published in 1947, is a well-written retelling of an old Mexican folktale. Hector Elizondo, with his fine voice and great diction, reads with sincerity, keeping this simple, tragic tale moving toward its inevitable conclusion. Highly recommended for all collections.
Helpful Score: 1
A story of classic simplicity, based on a Mexican folk tale, The Pearl explores the secrest of man's nature, the darkest depths of evil, and the luminous possibilities of love.
Helpful Score: 1
Steinbeck classic. Kina, a poor pearl diver, finds a huge pearl and thinks all his dreams will come true.
An amazing tale of metamorphosis told as only John Steinbeck could. A true classic.
A great introductory Steinbeck read!
Quick read. Good story about being careful what you wish for.
This great old, old tale is one I find I want to/need to read every decade or so...just to remind me of the essential truths contained in the old legend, not to mention enjoying the way a master like Steinbeck tells the tale.
This has a nice life lesson in the story, but I didn't like it as well as other books by John Steinbeck.
Steinbeck is easily one of my favorite authors. I absolutely love his novels, and I love the time period in which they take place. I am fascinated by that time in American history. The Pearl, however, is not one of his Great Depressionesque novels. But, it is one of my favorite novels of his. I love the passion of the novel - passion between the man and wife, between them and their child, the passion to save their child, and finally, the passion and desperation surrounding the pearl. It is a dark novel with an unexpected ending - two of the main reasons why I loved it so much. I only wonder what inspired Steinbeck to write such a story.
When the news of Kino's great find - the "Pearl of the World" - spreads through the small town, no one suspects its power to deceive, to corrupt, to destroy.
This is the book that turned me off classics when I was in high school. Fortunately, I learned later in life that they are not all this dumb. I'm just not into book about people who don't do anything to help themselves.
The most amazing book I have read in a long time. A unique book, at that. There are so many symbols, so much foreshadowing, it adds life to a simple folk tale.
The Pearl is an EXCELLENT story. It tells the story of a lowly pearl fisher who finds a magnificent pearl and tries to use it to better his families situation. It is a heart-wrenching tale of tragedy but it is written so well that the story unfolds easily as you read.
This is a very famous book by John Steinbeck, and is usually required reading for 8th - 10th graders.
A deceptively simple book, with an unforgettable message.
This is a good book about life and greed. It is a nice quick read.
A short, great read. Good introduction to Steinbeck.
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 novel to find out.
THE PEARL is a very short book that, honestly, I wouldn't have chosen to read except that it's for school. It's a very basic story, but everything in the book also has a double meaning, which is thought-provoking.
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 novel to find out.
THE PEARL is a very short book that, honestly, I wouldn't have chosen to read except that it's for school. It's a very basic story, but everything in the book also has a double meaning, which is thought-provoking.
Wonderfully written, of course, because its author is Steinbeck. It explores deep inside the evil capacities of the human soul. Greed can certainly destroy a person's very being (and reason for being). A must-read classic!
wicked good
this is a hard back version
A timeless and unforgettable novel of men and woman and good and evil
This is another amazing story that will capture any reader who has enjoyed Steinbeck's other works--his prose style ensures quick and pleasurable reading, yet a lasting memory that you will find keeps coming back to you...
short and sweet
A very short, simple story.
[The Pearl] has the distinction and sincerity that are evident in everything he writes.The New Yorker
Form is the most important thing about him. It is at its best in this work. Commonweal
[Steinbeck has] long trained his prose style for such a task as this: that supple unstrained, muscular power, responsive to the slightest pull of the reins. Chicago Sunday Times
Form is the most important thing about him. It is at its best in this work. Commonweal
[Steinbeck has] long trained his prose style for such a task as this: that supple unstrained, muscular power, responsive to the slightest pull of the reins. Chicago Sunday Times
