The Pearl (Centennial Edition)

“There it lay, the great pearl, perfect as the moon.”
One of Steinbeck’s most taught works, The Pearl is the story of the Mexican diver Kino, whose discovery of a magnificent pearl from the Gulf beds means the promise of a better life for his impoverished family. His dream blinds him to the greed and suspicions the pearl arouses in him and his neighbors, and even his loving wife Juana cannot temper his obsession or stem the events leading to tragedy. This classic novella from Nobel Prize-winner John Steinbeck examines the fallacy of the American dream, and illustrates the fall from innocence experienced by people who believe that wealth erases all problems.
This Centennial edition, specially designed to commemorate one hundred years of Steinbeck, features french flaps and deckle-edged pages.
For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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Community Reviews
Really good, quick read. If it were not a parable, one might quibble over the decisions of the characters and their outcomes. But it isn't meant to be taken as a real story. The only real world sort of detail in it is the collusion of the pearl buyers. I could totally believe that. But all the details of the story are meant to be read symbolically. Which makes me wonder at the relatively low rating the book seems to be getting here. Truly baffling.
It might be a small book but still a wonderful read. I genuinely enjoyed this novel and the tragedy of it all. A story through and through.
Very good book! You feel bad for the main character alot. Good view of the evil of capitalism.
A marvelous reminder of the evils of wealth and an excellent story about a man's struggle
Amazing read
Amazing read
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