The Pearl

Steinbeck's Pearl

John Steinbeck's short novel "The Pearl" (1947) is unusual in that the book appeared after Steinbeck wrote a screenplay for a film of the same name. The film was released to coincide with the publication of the book. The novel is short, deceptively simple, and deservedly famous. It is based upon a Mexican folk tale and tells the story of a poor family who become, potentially, wealthy by the discovery of a pearl of rare size and beauty. This sudden wealth does not result in happiness.
Steinbeck sets the stage with a short, two-paragraph preface introducing the main characters: "Kino, the fisherman, .. his wife, Juana, and ... the baby, Coyotito." Steinbeck describes the story as "a parable" in which, "perhaps everyone takes his own meaning from it and reads his own life into it."

Kino, Juana and Coyotito are poor and and live in a simple thatched house. The baby is bitten by a scorpion and Kino and Juana become concerned for his life but have no money to pay a doctor. Kino miraculously finds a pearl of great worth and the couple dream of a better life. But from the outset, the pearl provokes jealousy and violence and leads to great unhappiness for the little family.

I was moved by the figures of song and music that appear throughout the story. We are told at the beginning that Kino's people "had been great makers of songs so that everything they saw or thought or did or heard became a song." Kino hears in his heart various songs throughout his book, the most important of which is the "Song of the Family" or the "Whole" which celebrates his life with his wife and baby. Other songs that figure prominently include the "Song of Evil", the "Song of the Sea" and the "Song of the Pearl". It is interesting to follow the song imagery as the story progresses.

The other part of this story that most struck me was the scenes of nature -- of the water and mountains. The theme of wandering comes through poignantly in the last part of the book in which the family struggles through mountains and valleys in an attempt to evade stalkers who are pursing them for the pearl. This last portion of the book includes much moving writing.

Many people read this book as part of an introduction to American literature in high school or college. The book is accessible and short and is a highly appropriate way to get to know a major 20th Century American novelist. Still, I remember how easy it is to dislike a book forced upon a reader when young. In my own case, I did not read this book in school (I read other Steinbeck) and only came upon it recently too many years later. In any event, it is a short and beautiful story that glows with the many colors and ambiguities as did the pearl which Kino discovered and which inspired the book. This is a lovely work of American literature which the reader will enjoy getting to know.

Robin Friedman

Shipped on time and excellent conditions!

Shipped when expected, delivered on time and book was on excellent conditions!

Dark and ominous, but an amazing work

Shows evil for what it is, as well as the influence evil has on people. Very sad, however....typical Steinback fatalism. A strong and powerful book, but not the type of book you want to read if you're reading to relax or enjoy yourself.

It's called a safe, use it

John Steinbeck really seemed to love to build up his character's hopes and then dash them. A simple diver finds a flawless pearl one day in a clam. In this beautiful pearl he can see his family's future. His son will have an education he will be able to provide a real home for his wife and son. But the only snag is that he has shown his amazing and rear find to the other people in his village. And of course greed and jealously will play into the tragedy that will unfold. Not the best move on his part...

I always got the feeling that John Steinbeck wasn't a very feel good person.

Despite it's place in the library of classic American literature, I can't in good conscience recommend Steinbeck's "Pearl". While the writing is as good as any Steinbeck tale, the themes in the "Pearl" are a little too black and white. Good and evil are clearly defined and their influence and consequences are unavoidable. I left this story feeling hopeless and distraught.