The Pearl, by John Steinbeck
What
would you do if you had a large pearl worth millions? In The Pearl by John Steinbeck, a pearl divers child is bitten by a snake and the only doctor refuses
to help as how poor he is. This suddenly changes when he starts looking for
pearls. He finds the biggest pearl the world has ever seen, but turns selfish
and keeps it for himself. However, many people want it, so badly, that they
would kill for it. Watch as he struggles to keep his family safe from trackers,
and from the pearls evil influence.
My
opinion on this book is that it offers you the hardships that Mexican people
faced back then when the Spanish people took over. If your looking for a novella
that is classic, this book is just that. In the end, it was really sad and can
make you think the endings really unfair. I won't tell you, but the only way you
will find it is by reading it.
Reviewed by Ray B., grade 9
Montrose Library
Comments
I was honestly really disappointed with The Pearl, I expected much more from it because I heard the author was really good. But the book was pretty boring like I barley got myself to finish the book even though its short. It has too much description that just stretched out and made it hard to get through or want to get through. Overall though, I liked the book for the moral and all the little lessons it teaches you because it just comes to show that money isn’t everything and I think people tend to forget that a lot so it’s important.
Reviewed by Nayri T., grade 10
Casa Verdugo Library
My opinion of this book is that it has very meaningful morals and is very worthwhile. It teaches the life lesson that family comes first before everything else. Kino's family looses all the have in an effort to save Coyotito, their baby. I felt that this book is similar to life because most families would do anything for their children's health and that money does not come first. Kino's pride portrays this idea and the outcomes of being blind of what comes first. I recommend this book to anyone because it teaches the reader that family is the biggest part of life.
Reviewed by Tiffany, grade: 8
Grandview Library
I liked this book because not only did it show the difference in class structure back then, but it showed how valuable things can induce greed into the owner. It also showed how the actions caused by the object can affect the people around you. If you’re looking for a book with romance, action and showing how society was back then, I suggest this book. It may be old, but it’s a classic.
Reviewed by Charles B., Grade 9
Montrose Library
I personally did not enjoy the Pearl. It was most definitely an amazing book, and it showcased a man spiraling down into the depths of greed. Kino is originally presented as a loving family man, who's only goal is to be with his family. But watching him slowly devolve into a madman, obsessing over the pearl and abandoning his family for it was almost heartbreaking. His wariness was psychotic, and when it even extended to Juana, it was already over. Not everything was his fault, because there was no doubt that some of the events that occurred were because of greedy outsiders, but other events were the product of Kino's actions. This book is something that I would recommend to those who have been exposed to society and have financial experience, because most people my age seemed to not relate to or enjoy this book.
Reviewed by Abraham, Grade 9
Montrose Library