The Pearl

By: John Steinbeck

Narrated by: Hector Elizondo

“There it lay, the great pearl, perfect as the moon.”

Like his father and grandfather before him, Kino is a poor diver, gathering pearls from the gulf beds that once brought great wealth to the Kings of Spain and now provide Kino, Juana, and their infant son with meager subsistence. Then, on a day like any other, Kino emerges from the sea with a pearl as large as a sea gull's egg, as "perfect as the moon." With the pearl comes hope, the promise of comfort and of security....

A story of classic simplicity, based on a Mexican folk tale, The Pearl explores the secrets of man's nature, the darkest depths of evil, and the luminous possibilities of love.

Critic reviews

“[The Pearl] has the distinction and sincerity that are evident in everything he writes.” The New Yorker

“Form is the most important thing about him. It is at its best in this work.” Commonweal

“[Steinbeck has] long trained his prose style for such a task as this: that supple unstrained, muscular power, responsive to the slightest pull of the reins.” Chicago Sunday Times

A classic fable that was well performed.

Loved it. It was a classic fable that was well performed. The story was memorable.

The

A very nice book to read in the car and learn about in class too.

Timeless Classic

From the time the work was published in 1947 until the present, this work never ceases to provide insight into the nature of greed, of jealousy, and of humankind's misplaced priority of the worship of anything that has monetary value. It still amazes me, after so many readings, how moved I am at the story's end, and yet, how mercurial the story's theme is taken. If only we could truly learn and change as a result of understanding Steinbeck's insights. . .what a better world this would be.

The Pearl

My favorite author is John Steinbeck. I have loved all of his writings because his character development and writing style is so satisfying. Nectar for the mind. I highly recommend this Audible book with the finessed expressions by narrator and wonderful actor Hector Elizondo. I can’t imagine anyone more perfect for the reading of this short novel.

The frustration that comes with disappointment and disillusionment.

Wonderful classic. He captures the human heart in his prose. Human misery and man’s desires meet… and then we see what really matters.