I was never forced to read this one, but like you, I have heard horrible horrible things about it. Which is odd because I absolutely ADORE Steinbeck's other works.
What would make me steer clear of it, though, is not just hearing bad things, but the content of the bad reviews. Most people I know that hated Grapes of Wrath, for instance, hated it because it wasn't their thing or because they were forced to read it. Most people who hated The Pearl hated it because it was a badly written book. I've known people who were turned off of Steinbeck by it, which is sad because as I understand it stands out from his other work.
Please don't let this book turn you off from Steinbeck, if you didn't enjoy it you may still enjoy his other things. Cannery Row might be more up your alley (no pun intended, hur hur). :D
*nods* Yeah, it is really sad when one bad or even slightly "off" book turns people off from one particular author or even a whole genre/era of writing. There are many "classics" that I abhored, but many others I loved. What makes a book classic really doesn't say anything about its likely fanbase.
I am glad to hear that you aren't ruined to Steinbeck. :D The Grapes of Wrath is an incredible book, but definitely one that takes the right kind of mindset to read - don't go in expecting a happy book, rofl.
I understand that The Pearl was probably chosen for it's simplistic plot and length (... or lack thereof ...), but I really hope that our school board realises that they're turning people away from Steinbeck completely.
He has so many better books, and they have to force feed that one? It's definite public education fail.
I remember this book, only 'cause y 9th grade english teacher was the coolest person ever. But seriously, why the hell would you get rid of the pearl uhhggg the plot was so irritating.
Like, I know you're upset Coyotito is dead. But seriously. Make it to the damn town and make some pesos off of it for all of your troubles. Juana will appreciate it, I promise.
I have never encountered anyone who likes this book.
I'm afraid I'm about to break your streak, because I love it. :D Read it on assignment in eighth grade. After we finished it, we were told to rewrite the ending, and I got censured because I tried to emulate the style and got pegged as "too wordy"
I don't think the moral is "things can be too good to be true" so much as "money is the root of all evil." People who are tempted by the pearl do things that they otherwise wouldn't. The doctor poisons Coyotito; Kino refuses to let it go, even after it's brought them endless misfortune. So yeah, it's an author tract, just not with the moral you read it as.
I'm not saying, btw, that there's no reason to dislike this book- I haven't read it in years, so it's entirely possible that I'm forgetting massive flaws. I think Steinbeck's subject to personal taste- I love his stuff, but I can definitely see why people wouldn't.
I think the ant thing was symbolic of if you do nice things for the little people you'll never get anything good from it. 'No good deed goes unpunished.' If you want to succeed you have to crush the little guys along the way. Not a very nice message at all.
i had to read this for 10th grade english and i wanted to die. everybody failed the unit because it was so boring, nobody wanted to bother, but our teacher absolutely LOVED it and spent hours analyzing the supposed symbols in the story. it brings back bad memories all around lmao
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What would make me steer clear of it, though, is not just hearing bad things, but the content of the bad reviews. Most people I know that hated Grapes of Wrath, for instance, hated it because it wasn't their thing or because they were forced to read it. Most people who hated The Pearl hated it because it was a badly written book. I've known people who were turned off of Steinbeck by it, which is sad because as I understand it stands out from his other work.
Please don't let this book turn you off from Steinbeck, if you didn't enjoy it you may still enjoy his other things. Cannery Row might be more up your alley (no pun intended, hur hur). :D
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But I know it turned a lot of people my age from classics. =/
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I am glad to hear that you aren't ruined to Steinbeck. :D The Grapes of Wrath is an incredible book, but definitely one that takes the right kind of mindset to read - don't go in expecting a happy book, rofl.
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He has so many better books, and they have to force feed that one? It's definite public education fail.
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Like, I know you're upset Coyotito is dead. But seriously. Make it to the damn town and make some pesos off of it for all of your troubles. Juana will appreciate it, I promise.
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I'm afraid I'm about to break your streak, because I love it. :D Read it on assignment in eighth grade. After we finished it, we were told to rewrite the ending, and I got censured because I tried to emulate the style and got pegged as "too wordy"
I don't think the moral is "things can be too good to be true" so much as "money is the root of all evil." People who are tempted by the pearl do things that they otherwise wouldn't. The doctor poisons Coyotito; Kino refuses to let it go, even after it's brought them endless misfortune. So yeah, it's an author tract, just not with the moral you read it as.
I'm not saying, btw, that there's no reason to dislike this book- I haven't read it in years, so it's entirely possible that I'm forgetting massive flaws. I think Steinbeck's subject to personal taste- I love his stuff, but I can definitely see why people wouldn't.
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I was forced to read this book twice. Once in junior high, and the other in high school. Each time they made us watch the damn movie after wards.
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