Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Pearl by John Steinbeck

25 reviews

marionhoney's review

dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I really enjoyed reading the Introduction last, as it gave more context to what was going on in Steinbeck’s life that influenced the writing. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, and Gun violence

Moderate: Colonisation, Sexism, Fatphobia, and Violence

booksthoughtsandtea's review against another edition

dark reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Classism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Child death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, and Violence

deailbhe's review against another edition

dark reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I have always loved how Steinbeck writes misery in his work as it never seems malicious or exaggerated, but instead mundane. This is no different in The Pearl. Through the mundane misery and tension the novel explores concepts of racism, capitalism, greed and masculinity that are quite cutting despite its length. These discussions are still present in the few moments of joy in the novel, but neither the reader nor the characters are allowed to sit in these emotions for too long. A great short read for anyone interested in modern classics with an easy to read style.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism and Violence

Minor: Medical content

amaya_jam's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

such an interesting exploration of greed and jealousy. genuinely made me feel anxious at times.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Gun violence

Moderate: Child death and Death

Minor: Grief and Fire/Fire injury

sharonus's review

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Gun violence

Moderate: Child death

e_ramirez_ortega's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I can't recall reading Grapes of Wrath, although I know it was required in high school (government school). I know Steinbeck is a fixture in classical literature and it was highly recommended to read this title to start getting familiar with his work. I am glad I read this when I did, during a week of vacation (Thanksgiving holiday break, to be exact) from the homeschool. I read the first chapter and then explained the story to my daughter and she was curious. The rest became a read-aloud between us and I am glad she had her first taste of a Steinbeck classic. All this to say, it was memorable. I would recommend it to anyone interested in a quick read, a valuable one at that. 

The story is character driven more than plot driven in my opinion. We see the development of Kino's journey through dreams of a prosperous life by way of his huge pearl discovery. The tension rises when the whole town gets involved in seeing what becomes of Kino and his prized possession: the pearl. His little son is a casualty of his distorted circumstances. What could be a win turns into a loss of much: dignity, station, ethics, family, and honor. There is much at stake when something of value takes possession of a man, no matter what class status he finds himself in. That is the lesson. Any man can become beguiled by the temptation and allure of riches that turns men to greed.

There's more to say and analyze about this tale but suffice to say, it will keep you peeling layers of truth and discovery throughout.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Violence, Blood, and Child death

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Grief, Classism, and Colonisation

Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Vomit

frivilous's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.25

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Blood, Classism, Gun violence, Child death, and Violence

blueregard's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

Solid read. Similar to grapes of wrath but shorter

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Content Warnings

Minor: Violence and Death

orchidlilly's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

This is honestly the worst Steineck book I've ever had the displeasure of reading. It's nothing more than a grim sobfest poorly disguised with a moral of 'don't be greedy'. The sexism is always obvious in his works, but it's especially glaring here, and it doesn't even have the decency to be interesting like Of Mice and Men.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, Grief, Animal death, Kidnapping, Medical content, Racism, Religious bigotry, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Child death, Death, Murder, Sexism, Violence, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse

Minor: Colonisation

fernhunter's review against another edition

dark reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

This is my second Steinbeck book and I realized it's not my author at all. It's a pretty simple study of greed and human nature with a very obvious message. The cast of characters is interesting, it was really great to read about not white people and see the world from their unique perspective but I wish the societal conflict and race / colonialism were investigated better. This is a pure black and white story, didn't like the ending much because I don't find it justified. However, I must say, it was so much better than Of mice and men, and I wish this was my first Steinbeck book.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Colonisation, Racial slurs, Grief, Violence, Child death, and Racism