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The Pearl by John Steinbeck
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The Pearl (original 1947; edition 1983)

by John Steinbeck

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13,078202463 (3.49)1 / 378
Classic Literature. Fiction. Literature. HTML:â??There it lay, the great pearl, perfect as the moon.â?
 
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 sea 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
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Member:ROCSC
Title:The Pearl
Authors:John Steinbeck
Info:Bantam (1983), Mass Market Paperback
Collections:Your library
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The Pearl by John Steinbeck (1947)

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 75 Books Challenge for 2012: Steinbeckathon 2012: The Pearl21 unread / 21wookiebender, December 2012

» See also 378 mentions

English (173)  Spanish (7)  Catalan (6)  Portuguese (Portugal) (3)  French (3)  Italian (2)  Danish (1)  Arabic (1)  Dutch (1)  Finnish (1)  Swedish (1)  Norwegian (1)  All languages (200)
Showing 1-5 of 173 (next | show all)
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book written by John Steinbeck. I had forgotten how much I enjoy his writing. I’m not sure why this has low reviews. I thoroughly enjoyed this short story and was heartbroken with the ending. It really is a simple story of innocence and greed and great loss. It’s a wonderful short story. ( )
  jbrownleo | Mar 27, 2024 |
This is a sweet, simple fable and I liked some aspect of the writing, but the 'moral to the story' spoiled any enjoyment. The concept that is is wrong to strive for change and improvement in one's lot on life should not be preserved in literature IMHO.

I did love the imagery and Kino's way of experiencing life through music.

I loved Cannery Row and will read other Steinbeck books, but I'm giving his books a rest for now. ( )
1 vote RuthInman123 | Mar 26, 2024 |
Eine grauenhafte Geschichte, meisterhaft geschrieben, voller Spannung und ein heftiges, unerwartetes Ende. ( )
  BuecherDrache | Feb 13, 2024 |
a fascinating fable of colonial Mexico ( )
  ParenthesisEnjoyer | Dec 11, 2023 |
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.

( )
  ryantlaferney87 | Dec 8, 2023 |
Showing 1-5 of 173 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (77 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Steinbeck, Johnprimary authorall editionsconfirmed
Baldiz, FranciscoTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Coppolani, Renésecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Elizondo, HectorNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Goedegebuure, JaapIntroductionsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Muller, FrankNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Orozco, Jose ClementeIllustratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Veltman-Boissevain, E. D.Translatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Wagner-Martin, LindaIntroductionsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed

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Kino woke up early in the morning.
Kino awakened in the near dark.
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It is said that human beings are never satisfied, that you give them one thing and they want something more. And this is said in disparagement, whereas it is one of the greatest talents the species has and one that has made it superior to animals that are satisfied with what they have.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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Classic Literature. Fiction. Literature. HTML:â??There it lay, the great pearl, perfect as the moon.â?
 
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 sea 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

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Penguin Australia

4 editions of this book were published by Penguin Australia.

Editions: 0141185120, 0141332913, 0143566415, 0241952468

HighBridge

An edition of this book was published by HighBridge.

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