Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It2 of 2 members found this review helpful “Most people born and raised in developed first world countries cannot even imagine the depths of poverty that most of the rest of the world are forced to live with. This story illuminates this fact, as we enter the world of Kino, a pearl diver and occasional fisherman, his wife Juana, and their...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It2 of 3 members found this review helpful “Pretty awful... i had to read it for school..” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“Kino a poor fisherman faces a life struggle when his young son is bit by a scorpion. In order to pay back the doctor, he finds a huge sized pearl, where he is certain will change his family's life and cure his son. However in their village the news spread fast and eventually, people try to kill him and hunt him in order to obtain the pearl. After their house is burnt down they are forced to run away and hide. Eventually their son, Coyotito, is killed in a brawl with the hunters and Kino realizes that the pearl brought nothing but greed and misfortune.
Matt Poff wrote this review 3 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
It is a very interesting story and to see how the pearl ironically changed his life from bad to worse even though it was supposed to help them out. The story brings out the greed in people and how the loathing community would do anything for their own benefit or good.”
“I loved this Book! At the beginning i thought it was boring but ones you keep reading its very good! It was pretty difficult to read because its a classic but once you get the hang of it, its so much better.”
Allie Faith M wrote this review 6 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Kino a poor fisherman faces a life struggle when his young son is bit by a scorpion. In order to pay back the doctor, he finds a huge sized pearl, where he is certain will change his family's life and cure his son. However in their village the news spread fast and eventually, people try to kill him and hunt him in order to obtain the pearl. After their house is burnt down they are forced to run away and hide. Eventually their son, Coyotito, is killed in a brawl with the hunters and Kino realizes that the pearl brought nothing but greed and misfortune.
Sherif Mansour wrote this review 10 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
It is a very interesting story and to see how the pearl ironically changed his life from bad to worse even though it was supposed to help them out. The story brings out the greed in people and how the loathing community would do anything for their own benefit or good.”
“Cora R said: 4 1/2 stars - rounded down to 4 on my shelf
Author, Author Shelf wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The pearl is a very short book about a poor pearl diver who finds a huge pearl. It seems that his future is now secure. Unfortunately, the good fortune of finding the pearl attracts the darkest impulses of humanity and what begins as good luck soon turns bad. This book was a great parable about the nature of greed and how instant wealth does not always bring happiness. It also touches upon issues facing indigenous cultures as well as economic disparity. I enjoyed the book, it gave me a lot to ponder. I am not sure I agree with Steinbeck's bleak view of humanity, but perhaps that is wishful thinking on my part.
”
“Okay. First Steinbeck book read. ”
Veronica Marie wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Such a good metaphor.”
Debbie O'Reilly wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
1 of 1 members found this review helpful“The Pearl is a retelling of an old folktale which has a strong message about the corruption and evil that springs from wealth and power.
Chris wrote this review 4 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Kino is a poor fisherman with a young family who finds an enormous pearl. He dreams of the many ways he can spend his newfound wealth. Soon his community’s curiosity and good will turn to envy and spite. They try to cheat Kino and when that doesn’t work they resort to violence in an attempt to take the pearl for themselves. Kino is forced to flee the town with trackers hot on his trail.
There is a strong morality theme throughout the entire book, Steinbeck never lets the reader forget that despite the outward promise of riches and happiness the pearl only brings misery and pain. The futility of chasing money is spelled out clearly here. The metaphors are as subtle as a slap in the face with a brick but the message is poignant and ageless. It isn’t telling us anything new but at the same time a reminder doesn’t hurt.
It is a far cry from some of Steinbeck’s more popular works and certainly not one of his best but it was an entertaining novella and worth a read as a Steinbeck fan.
”
“The pearl is about a poor man named Kino who seeks wealth and security for him and his family. Their life is peaceful until their son Coyotito is in critical condition after being stung by a scorpion. Kino goes into town to get a doctor to help Coyotito but they are rejected because they cannot pay, and the doctor is prejudice against Kino's race. With Kino being a pearl diver, he finds a golden pearl in the ocean and finds out that it is worth a lot. Everyone in the town finds out about the pearl and is after the pearl and now Kino must protect his family. Kino must sell the pearl to pay for the help of his son, but he comes to realize that it is too late when the pearl becomes worthless.”
ricky bounthanthy wrote this review Friday, May 4, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
0 of 1 members found this review helpful“Steinbeck is one of my favorite authors--what can I say?”
Suzanne C wrote this review Friday, April 27, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“The story took place in an isolated, poor village called by La Paz just by the coast. The main character is Kino. He was an Indian pearl diver. The story began when Coyotito was bitten by a spider. His wife, Juana was so worried that she asked Kino to take Coyotito to a doctor. It was incredible to Kino, the doctor never took a single poor patient. As expected, the family paid a visit at the doctor’s house and were rejected. When they got home, Kino went to his canoe and into the sea to search for a pearl that is worth enough to pay the doctor. Finding a pearl was very unlikely. Kino saw an ancient, big shell and he found a pearl the size of a seagull's egg. The news soon spread across town and people started to spread rumors about the pearl and said that it was cursed and would bring bad luck. The doctor also found out and personally went to Kino’s house to treat Coyotito which made the already fine baby sick again to treat the baby. The pearls in the town were all sold to dealers that would go to the village every week. The dealers would use the ignorance of the people and cheat on them by giving them an extremely low price. Kino went to the dealer’s office the next day and the dealer only agreed to pay 1200 dollars and it was too low of a price for Kino to take. He decided to go to the capital him self, to see for him self how much the pearl is worth. Kino left town with his wife and son and went on a tough trip trying to find the capital. During the trip, they were attacked by the trackers, that were trying to steal the pearl. Finally, Coyotito was killed by one of the trackers. Kino, then, finally realized that the pearl was nothing but evil and brings nothing but sorrow. He returned to La Paz with Juana and threw the pearl back to the sea, where it belongs. I would recommend this book to people who like short, story with a moral behind.
grace c wrote this review Thursday, April 26, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
”
