Overview:
The Pearl by John Steinbeck, along with the rest of his incredible writing, is such a phenomenal book. It is a work of near-perfect balance, length, theme, and description. When I say “near-perfect” I mean that no human work is actually perfect, but I’m struggling to identify any imperfections in this book. A majority of its excellence lies in both its writing itself and its incredible exploration of different themes that go into poverty, but Steinbeck’s genius is best exemplified in the way that his writing is always in relation to the theme, never the other way around.
Plot Overview:
Kino, a young pearl diver, enjoys his simple life until the day his son, Coyotito, is stung by a scorpion. The wealthy town doctor will not treat the baby because Kino cannot pay the doctor's fee, so Kino and his wife, Juana, are left only to hope their child is saved. That day Kino goes diving, and finds a great pearl, the Pearl of the World, and knows he is suddenly a wealthy man. The word travels quickly about the pearl and many in the town begin to plot ways to steal it. My enjoyment of The Pearl was intriguing, but I am glad I gave Steinbeck another chance. At less than 100 pages, it is a recommendation!
My Thoughts:
Overall, this short yet phenomenal book has really impacted me and the way I look at things today. The themes that are explored in this novel are profound and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in understanding our world at a more fundamental level.
Written by Samarth Athreya
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