Name: The Pearl
ISBN: 9780142000694

John Steinbeck

A poor fisherman dreams of wealth and happiness for his family when he finds a priceless pearl.

The Pearl

Gemma

Juana sang softly an ancient song that had only three notes and yet endless variety of interval. And this was part of the family song too. It was all part. Sometimes it rose to an aching chord that caught the throat, saying this is safety, this is warmth, this is the Whole.

Across the brush fence were other brush houses, and the smoke came from them too, and the sound of breakfast, but those were other songs, their pigs were other pigs, their wives were not Juana.

Incredibly well written, with great characters, but sort of a weird lesson in the end? Poor people punished for trying to have a better life? I don't think they should've given up

Whitney Losee

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.

Ghofran Mustafa 

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.

Patrick Book

MEN! Am I right?

(Also: arresting prose. Astounding even.)

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

Alondra Ayon

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

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.

Erin Goss

Kimberly

Rohit Arondekar

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.

Katelyn Woodard

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.

Toni Marie McFadden 

** 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.

Ryan LaFerney

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.

A.L.L.

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.

Chiyeung lau

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.

La Perla / The Pearl (Aula de Literatura)

Santi

La Perle

Sarah Escorsa

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

Emma Spellman

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

William Harris 

Autumn 

Emilie Thea Bohrk

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!

Hala Abdulaziz 

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

Lily L

Janet Doré

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

"In the town they tell the story of the great pearl - how it was found and how it was lost again. They tell of Kino, the fisherman, and of his wife, Juana, and of the baby, Coyotito. And because the story has been told so often, it has taken root in every man's mind. And, as with all retold tales that are in people's hearts, there are only good and bad things and black and white things and good and evil things and no in-between anywhere.If this story is a parable, perhaps everyone takes his own meaning from it and reads his own life into it. In any case, they say in the town that..."

The Pearl

Reviews

Highlights