The Pearl: Beauty, Truth, Timelessness

'The Pearl' (1954) by John Steinbeck is a short yet profound story about the corrupting power of greed. Check out this deep-dive, spoiler-free video essay from The Portly Raven.

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Tags:
Books, book review, John Steinbeck, Steinbeck, Literature, American Literature, novella, novel, greed, ambition, beauty, truth, timelessness, extract, booktube

00:00 A Familiar Story
01:24 A Tale Retold
02:35 Discovering The Pearl
03:39 The Hard Truth
04:48 Life Lessons

[ThePortlyRaven]

Here it is, video number 2 on the channel - woohoo! I hope you enjoy this review, let me know if it makes you want to read The Pearl :)

[SCHOOLOFLIGHT]

I’ve never managed an entire book in one sitting. I loved this and love the way Steinbeck writes, I felt connected. Thanks for the inspiration to pick up a book!

[werbergermertin]

You got me with the feel you evoked in the first review. This one you convinced me with your argument. Love your work. Thanks professor Raven.

[parsnip_]

Fantastic! I've read a couple of Steinbeck's books and will definitely be picking up The Pearl now. Thank you for making these reviews, they really capture the joy and wonder of reading books.

[dracomalfoy-hs]

I love your presentation... It feels like a breeze. 🌼

[SCHOOLOFLIGHT]

Brilliant mate! I need more of this type of reading in my life.

[johnburston]

That was fantastic Sam! Loved it😊 I read The Pearl decades ago, you've inspired me to have another look - I like your point about being reminded again of the fundamental truths in life.

[chioowoo]

This video was amazing, a complete masterpiece

[xinyuzhu-ui]

Fantastic video ❤❤❤I’m going to read it🎉🎉🎉🎉

[alistersandow]

Hey Sam, thanks for the recommendation, got alone in Berlin and the pearl. Keep up the videos

[mattgallo]

I appreciate Steinbeck and the parable "campfire" "oral tradition" style of the book but I just read this for the first time and spoiler coming the ending doesn't make sense to me. Why does the couple return to town at the end? Why are they allowed to? They spend half the book running away from a town where they're wanted for murder and then at the end they just go back. No confrontation, no explanation. How does that work? And why on earth would they go back to town when they were already so far from home and malnourished (and closer to the next city) AND they had just successfully killed the 3 men who were trailing them. I understand their son died and "the pearl is evil" etc but why turn around at that point? Did I miss something?

[williamthomas]

After Wuthering Heights I am starting East of Eden.