The Pearl

very working-class steinbeck, and with some pulpy thrills too.

When I first read this book 8-9 years ago, I hated it. Now that I'm older and wiser, I at least appreciate Steinbeck's power and mastery of the written word. Steinbeck is a very simple writer. There are no frills or eccentricities, nothing that makes the story pop out at you. Though this makes the story dry at times, Steinbeck is still able to make you care about the story, to...more

When I first read this book 8-9 years ago, I hated it. Now that I'm older and wiser, I at least appreciate Steinbeck's power and mastery of the written word. Steinbeck is a very simple writer. There are no frills or eccentricities, nothing that makes the story pop out at you. Though this makes the story dry at times, Steinbeck is still able to make you care about the story, to make you care about what the characters say or think. The Pearl is an example of this. It is a very simple story of greed and how it can corrupt everyone. Everyone is greedy and, pretty much, everyone is responsible for the tragic ending of the novel. And, at least for Kino, this greed is forgivable as it is born out of desperation and poverty, not desire. It is the greed born out of desire, the greed nearly everyone around Kino and his family exhibits, that is not forgivable. This is a good, short story on greed that nearly everyone can appreciate.   hide

Had to read this in school. I remember it being a good story and well written, but VERY sad.

hahahahaha,, i remember i had to read this book for my english class in shcool,, good days