Sorry, you must be a member of the group to do that. Join this group.

From the Bookshelf of Retro Chapter Chicks …

The Pearl

John Steinbeck

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

No group discussions for this book yet.

What Members Thought

Dec 18, 2016 Brina rated it really liked it

Shelves: classics, short-stories

John Steinbeck's chilling novella The Pearl is the short story selection in the group catching up on classics for January 2017. In his retelling of a Mexican folktale, Steinbeck tells the tale of a fisherman named Kino who finds the pearl of the world on one of his dives. Showing how money is the root of all evil, Steinbeck delivers a poignant tale.

First published in 1945, The Pearl is the story of Kino, Juana, and their baby Coyotito who one day discover a giant pearl on one of their fishing e John Steinbeck's chilling novella The Pearl is the short story selection in the group catching up on classics for January 2017. In his retelling of a Mexican folktale, Steinbeck tells the tale of a fisherman named Kino who finds the pearl of the world on one of his dives. Showing how money is the root of all evil, Steinbeck delivers a poignant tale.

First published in 1945, The Pearl is the story of Kino, Juana, and their baby Coyotito who one day discover a giant pearl on one of their fishing expeditions. All of a sudden, their entire village measures time against when Kino found his pearl. Even though fish and pearls are the source of Kino's livelihood each member of the village desires part of his newfound wealth. Rather than congratulating him on his prized discovery, each villager offers their unique suggestion as to how Kino should spend his winnings.

Tragedy strikes. Coyotito is bitten by a scorpion, and Kino and Juana rush to town in attempt to persuade the doctor to treat their child. In a situation permeated with racism, the doctor of Spanish descent refuses to treat the apparent Native American Kino unless he comes up with substantial monetary payment. The only item of value that Kino possesses is the pearl, and he assures the doctor that he will be rewarded once the pearl given to brokers.

Just like the doctors, the pearl brokers attempt to swindle Kino. Even though Kino has large dreams of what to do with his money, tragedies continue to befall him throughout the novella. Juana urges him to rid himself of this object that is clearly an agent of the devil. Through this folk tale, Steinbeck conveys that money is the root of all evils in the world. Underlying is a message of socialism, which was the world's response to the fascist dictators defeated in World War II.

Although Steinbeck's skills as a master storyteller are evident in this novella, The Pearl does not resonate with me the way it does with others. At first I was elated that a poor villager found a jewel that could turn his life around only to see him face tragic tests. A literary masterpiece that should be read nonetheless, I rate The Pearl 4 stars- 5 for Steinbeck's prose and story telling skills, and 2.5-3 for a story that does not captivate me enough as perhaps it should. ...more

225 likes · Like · see review

Apr 28, 2018 Celia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018-read, 2018-caz, classics

A story so simple it is complex. Based on a Mexican folk tale, it brings out both the positive and negative aspects of Man's nature.

It is almost poetic in its language as well. As much as I have read, this is my first Steinbeck!! In my quest to read more classics this year, I am so glad that I have included this one.

Kino, Juana, and baby Coyotito live in very modest means by the sea. Kino, a pearl diver, finds an enormous jewel. He finds and loses this gem, perhaps for the best.

Short, sometimes ...more

13 likes · Like · see review

Nov 05, 2008 Book Concierge rated it it was amazing

Shelves: concierge, literature, library, book-club, tragedy, classic, movie

This parable is a classic, and with good reason.

Kino, Juana and their baby Coyotito enjoy a hard but satisfying life in their village. But they are "kept in place" by the Europeans who run the town (they live in a grass shack on the beach). Then Kino finds The Pearl, and their fortunes change - for the worse. Like The Old Man and the Sea there is much to discuss in this short novella.

I first read this when I was in high school (mid 1960s), and re-read it when my book club partnered with an all-g ...more

4 likes · Like · see review