The Pearl

by John Steinbeck
The Pearl cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Literary Fiction
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Technical
  • ID: 3419
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9780141962832
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2011-03-03
  • Formats: 7
  • Reviews: 3

Kino, a poor Mexican pearl diver, finds 'The Pearl of the World' and believes it will transform his life. However, the pearl's value awakens greed and violence in his neighbors and even within himself. This timeless tale explores the corrupting influence of wealth and the human capacity for both hope and destruction. Set in a coastal village, the story delves into the cultural and social dynamics of the community, highlighting the harsh realities of poverty and the illusions of prosperity. Steinbeck's powerful narrative and vivid characters make this a haunting exploration of human nature.

Reviews
Sam Still Reading · 2020-07-09
thought-provoking 4.00

Despite its slim length, the novella delivers a powerful punch. The themes of money and greed are explored deeply.

This reviewer is impressed by how much impact a short novella can have. They appreciate how Steinbeck gets right to the heart of the issues of money and greed, making it a thought-provoking read. The characters, particularly Juana and Kino, are portrayed in a way that highlights the destructive forces of greed and the struggles of the poor.

Quick quotes

    For a slim read, The Pearl packs a lot of punch.

    It gets right to the heart of the main issues – money and greed.

    As poor people, Juana and Kino's struggles are portrayed with depth and emotion.

Reader's High Tea · 2017-05-16
engaging 4.00

The rapid pace and explicit character portrayals make the story engaging. The central themes are effectively conveyed through the characters' actions.

This reviewer enjoyed the fast-paced narrative and the way Steinbeck portrays his characters in relation to the central themes. They believe the explicitness of the character portrayals adds depth to the story, making it more engaging. The themes of greed and the destructive nature of desire are effectively conveyed through the characters' actions and decisions.

Quick quotes

    I enjoyed the rapid pace of the story and the explicit way of portraying the characters with respect to the main element of the story – the pearl.

    The central themes are effectively conveyed through the characters' actions.

    Steinbeck's portrayal of greed and its destructive nature is compelling.

Stuck in a Book · 2011-11-02
powerful 4.00

The novella's brevity is its strength, delivering a powerful story in a compact form. The themes of greed and oppression are vividly portrayed.

This reviewer appreciates the novella's concise yet impactful storytelling. The themes of greed and the oppression of native peoples are particularly well-executed, making the short length a virtue rather than a limitation. They highlight how Steinbeck's prose and the myth-like quality of the narrative enhance the overall impact of the story.

Quick quotes

    At only ninety pages long, The Pearl is barely a novella – the blurb of my copy labels it a short story, but I think it is most fitting to call it a novella.

    The themes of greed and the oppression of native peoples are vividly portrayed.

    The story is compact yet powerful, making it a quick but memorable read.

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