Book Reviews of The Pearl

Steinbeck classic. Kina, a poor pearl diver, finds a huge pearl and thinks all his dreams will come true.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This is a good book about life and greed. It is a nice quick read.

short and sweet

A very short, simple story.

A short, great read. Good introduction to Steinbeck.

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