A Pearl of Great Peril

The Pearl by John Steinbeck (1947) – Kino, his wife Juana and their infant son Coyotito are not rich. But thier life is filled with love and contentment. Kino is a pearl diver in Baja California Sur. One day a scorpion falls into the child’s bed and stings him. The local doctor won’t do anything unless Kino can pay. It’s then that Kino discovers the largest pearl anyone has ever seen. He names it “The Pearl of the World”. Such a prize will pay for the child’s treatment and change the family’s life forever. The journey is not what Kino expects.

Somehow I got well into middle age before I “discovered” John Steinbeck. “Cannery Row” caught me with it’s gentle, evening light style of story telling. Once again, Steinbeck shows off the mastery of storytelling that has kept him among the first names of American literature. At only novella length, (traditionally 17,000-40,000 words) it’s an easy entry to the author’s work if you haven’t read him before. It’s possible that you read this book in middle school or high school. It’s a popular choice for many teachers (and readers!).

The lure of the wealth represented by The Pearl of the World is beyond Kino’s imagination. He imagines many things that he will be able to do once he sells it. But he has no idea how that will change him and his family. Family is a central theme for the book, as are the questions of greed, good and evil, and bigotry. With the best of intentions, the pearl will distort what Kino believes about himself and those around him. Everything begins with his ability to care for Juana and Coyotito. The challenge is how to maintain that focus when so many people and things try to lure his attention away.

I can’t say that much surprises me in the story. The ending was very satisfying because Steinbeck makes a choice in the story that tied everything together. There was enough mystery left that I was eager to see how Kino and Juana would resolve all the challenges in their lives.

If you are looking to explore Steinbeck, or if you want something that is a quick read, “The Pearl” is a great choice. Steinbeck fans will have checked this one off long ago. If you are looking for a classic piece of American writing, you won’t go wrong here.