The Pearl
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The Pearl

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Reviews

Photo of Whitney Losee
Whitney Losee@waloser
2 stars
Mar 12, 2025

Dumb ass Kino.

Photo of Ada
Ada@adasel
4 stars
Jul 16, 2024

I never knew I could enjoy a classic this much. I liked the way the author described things and incorporated cultures in this book. The plot and characters were very nice. I also liked the book was short and sweet. Would definitely reread this again in the future.

Photo of Ghofran Mustafa
Ghofran Mustafa @ghfooo
4 stars
Jul 14, 2024

We do know that we are cheated from birth to the overcharge on our coffins. But we survive. After finishing this one, I curled up on myself and felt like everything went dark.. That's what Steinbeck novels do to you.

Photo of Patrick Book
Patrick Book@patrickb
5 stars
Jul 5, 2024

MEN! Am I right? (Also: arresting prose. Astounding even.)

Photo of Alondra Ayon
Alondra Ayon@alondraayon
5 stars
Jun 25, 2024

ilustraciones de Clemente Orozco?? Una leyenda mexicana mencionada en un libro de no ficción escrito a partir de excursiones com un biológo marino?

Una historia muy mexicana, definitivamente un must read

Photo of Erin Goss
Erin Goss@erinmg22
4 stars
Apr 25, 2024

I read this in high school and was left destroyed by the ending. For some reason, I decided to do it again and once more I am heartbroken. Steinbeck really knows how to leave you on a less-than-happy ending.

+3
Photo of Kimberly
Kimberly@kimmie
3.5 stars
Aug 22, 2023

Easy for you to say, John.

Photo of Rohit Arondekar
Rohit Arondekar@rohitarondekar
5 stars
Jul 23, 2023

The writing was sublime. I can see why Steinbeck is such a celebrated author. What I absolutely loved about this book was the use of music. How the characters interpret their lives & situations as music. This was really beautiful. The flow of the story was also really well done. I have no complaints about this book. I'm definitely going to read more Steinbeck in the future.

Photo of Katelyn Woodard
Katelyn Woodard@kwoodard87
4 stars
Feb 6, 2023

Hard to read at points, because man's depravity came through so clearly. But the language is stunning and my emotional response to the text has not left me in the year since I've read this.

Photo of Toni Marie McFadden
Toni Marie McFadden @teeehm95
3 stars
Feb 4, 2023

** spoiler alert ** Not my usual kind of book to read but I seen a classic list of books on Pinterest and though why not try and expand my horizons. I found the plot very exciting but was absolutely gutted that Kino ended up chucking the pearl back into the sea. Not surprised after the baby dying but still. Poor kino.

Photo of Ryan LaFerney
Ryan LaFerney@ryantlaferney
5 stars
Dec 15, 2022

The Pearl is a novella by the American author John Steinbeck. First published in 1947, The Pearl follows a pearl diver, Kino, and explores man's nature as well as greed, defiance of societal norms, and evil. I have read this novella every couple of years since I first read it in English class in high school. The message put forth by the book -- that man invites evil by trying to better his situation -- invites a lot of questions and always causes me to reflect on how I'm living my life. And The Pearl is one of Steinbeck's most accomplished novellas. It is beautiful, lyrical, concise, and has the perfect conclusion. The pearl is a retelling of a Mexican folk tale. Kino and his wife Juana are poor but happy in their relationship and delighted with baby Coyotito. They live in relative poverty, but have each other and their families. One day when Kino is diving, he finds an oyster that contains a huge pearl. Convinced that this will be the solution to all his problems, Kino is ecstatic. He and Juana can get married, Coyotito can go to school and they will have the money to pay the doctor when they are ill. The whole community is overjoyed, but the pearl doesn’t bring the happiness Kino expected. People attempt to harm them and the pearl buyers try to swindle them. Forced out of their home, the family leaves their town in search for a better price for the pearl and a better life. Juana wants Kino to throw the pearl away, but he refuses until tragedy strikes. The Pearl is slim but never fails to pack a punch. It's a simple story but one that is very powerful and universal. Do you hear the music of the pearl? If so, be leery.

Photo of A.L.L.
A.L.L.@alice_is_alces
3 stars
Sep 18, 2022

It's one of Steinbeck's earlier works and it shows. It's not as bad as Cup of Gold, which I couldn't even finish, but it's definitely not one of his better novels either. It has a fairytale flavor which I enjoyed and overall it wasn't a bad story.

Photo of Chiyeung lau
Chiyeung lau@chiyeung
4 stars
Aug 29, 2022

Picked this up as an intro to Steinbeck since I've never read his other work. Wow. I was blown away. Definitely need to read more Steinbeck.

Photo of Santi
Santi@santiaraujo
5 stars
Aug 22, 2022

...y ahora a recobrar el aliento. WOW

Photo of Sarah Escorsa
Sarah Escorsa@shrimpy
1 star
Mar 8, 2022

Je n'ai jamais été adepte de la prose de Steinbeck.

Photo of Emma Spellman
Emma Spellman@emmaspell
5 stars
Feb 23, 2022

A childhood favorite short story from one of my favorite authors.

Photo of William Harris
William Harris @williamh
5 stars
Feb 19, 2022

Short and sweet. A classic to be read.

+4
Photo of Autumn
Autumn @rabbit-hearted-reader
3 stars
Feb 7, 2022

It started sad, it ended like sad.

Photo of Emilie Thea Bohrk
Emilie Thea Bohrk@emiliethea
4 stars
Dec 20, 2021

Read this for school and really enjoyed it:) The lyrical writing style is right up my alley, and the story tackles a lot of interesting themes of greed and living in an unequal society where no one can truly be trusted. Amazing read!

Photo of Hala Abdulaziz
Hala Abdulaziz @hala4a
4 stars
Oct 28, 2021

I actually liked this little story. The subtle messages and the not so subtle also. It really made me think about how far a person would go to keep their hope alive, even if that hope is actually a dead end. The idea that the main character kept going even when horrible things have been done shows you that if a person sets their eyes on something, they'll be blind to reason. And no matter who it is that stands in their way they'll do whatever it takes to keep going

Photo of Lily L
Lily L@lilylebr
1 star
Oct 14, 2021

i hated it 10/10 dont reccomend

Photo of Janet Doré
Janet Doré@vistacanas
3 stars
Jul 28, 2021

Worth reading, but I didn't love it. Reads like a fable and kind of kept me at a distance.

Photo of Jawad Abdulrazzaq
Jawad Abdulrazzaq@acid
4 stars
Jan 15, 2025
Photo of Joe Cloute
Joe Cloute@joe_rob
4 stars
Dec 27, 2024

This book appears on the shelf Tbr shelf says thank you

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