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113 reviews for:
Cup of Gold: A Life of Sir Henry Morgan, Buccaneer, with Occasional Reference to History
John Steinbeck
3.32 AVERAGE
113 reviews for:
Cup of Gold: A Life of Sir Henry Morgan, Buccaneer, with Occasional Reference to History
John Steinbeck
3.32 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is rounded up from 4.5. But my, what a book. I've seen many claiming that this is not typical Steinbeck. Although it was not written by the mature, celebrated writer, it is nonetheless quite steinbeckian. I could quote at least ten wonderful relevant passages to illustrate this, but I read the book in the Romanian translation and I would not venture to back-translate them into English. Except for the clumsy last section of the last chapter, I found this book quite a masterwork.
Really spoke to me. I think it kinda resonated with the Great Courses book on Nietzsche.
As I have recently been struck with an urge to read novels stories that take place on the sea, I went searching and stumbled across Steinbeck's first novel. And as a lover of Steinbeck I was surprised I had not heard of it before.
It breathes his philosophical lilt and gives a glimpse into the Steinbeck that can sum up what it is to live and be human in a few short paragraphs. Steinbeck's well-written insights into human nature are one of the main reasons I'm drawn to him, and Cup of Gold certainly has plenty of those moments.
From adolescence to death, Steinbeck tells the tale of pirate Henry Morgan's life focusing primarily on the rashness of youth and the disenchantment with life that immaturity can cause. While not Steinbeck's best work, it is an engaging story and provides some thought-provoking moments about unfettered determination to seize what we think will give us happiness.
It breathes his philosophical lilt and gives a glimpse into the Steinbeck that can sum up what it is to live and be human in a few short paragraphs. Steinbeck's well-written insights into human nature are one of the main reasons I'm drawn to him, and Cup of Gold certainly has plenty of those moments.
From adolescence to death, Steinbeck tells the tale of pirate Henry Morgan's life focusing primarily on the rashness of youth and the disenchantment with life that immaturity can cause. While not Steinbeck's best work, it is an engaging story and provides some thought-provoking moments about unfettered determination to seize what we think will give us happiness.
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Book 6 out of 200 books (currently reading up to 200 books)
"Cup of Gold" by John Steinbeck
"Cup of Gold" Follows the life of the real-life Henry Morgan, a British Traveler who ventures around Central America in search of a wife, and other commodities of his time such as gold and fights of the Region's occupiers, the Spaniards etc.
MY THOUGHTS:
Steinbeck's first novel, This book is such an articulate yet such beautiful narration of events for a first book. This is the second Steinbeck book that I have read, first being "Of Mice and Men".
I did root for Morgan, the main character of this book, that is because he wanted exploration and wanted more from the world around him. So of he went to the obscure areas of Central America in search of Gold and in witness to of the establishment of the trade routs that we now know as the Panama Canal, yet most importantly, fight off the Spanish and capture Panama.
This book also has romance, as Morgan feels the Amour of a Native woman, though because his goal goes against his personal wishes, he chooses to settle the issue with his native lover by the end of the novel. Though Steinbeck, at his weakness for this novel, should've focused a little more on Morgan's relationships that is because Morgan pretty much should've explored his inner turmoil amidst fighting the Spaniards and achieving his goal.
I Read this short yet articulate novel over 2 months ago, during my Christmas Break from school. Well, as I am writing this review now that I just learned to appreciate this book that is because of the fact it had adventure and some romance that wasn't as explored yet I am at utter cross roads on whether or not really this book had romance that is because Morgan and his wife seemed to have laborious times getting to know each other.
This book exactly isn't a great novel to start on Steinbeck because the adventure niche isn't everyone's cup of tea, be it a long or short book. I suggest reading "Of Mice and Men", if ever an aspiring reader wants to start with Steinbeck's works. Now, to conclude, this work of Steinbeck has its mark on historical fiction, even though this book is lesser known from his oeuvre of works.
"Cup of Gold" by John Steinbeck
"Cup of Gold" Follows the life of the real-life Henry Morgan, a British Traveler who ventures around Central America in search of a wife, and other commodities of his time such as gold and fights of the Region's occupiers, the Spaniards etc.
MY THOUGHTS:
Steinbeck's first novel, This book is such an articulate yet such beautiful narration of events for a first book. This is the second Steinbeck book that I have read, first being "Of Mice and Men".
I did root for Morgan, the main character of this book, that is because he wanted exploration and wanted more from the world around him. So of he went to the obscure areas of Central America in search of Gold and in witness to of the establishment of the trade routs that we now know as the Panama Canal, yet most importantly, fight off the Spanish and capture Panama.
This book also has romance, as Morgan feels the Amour of a Native woman, though because his goal goes against his personal wishes, he chooses to settle the issue with his native lover by the end of the novel. Though Steinbeck, at his weakness for this novel, should've focused a little more on Morgan's relationships that is because Morgan pretty much should've explored his inner turmoil amidst fighting the Spaniards and achieving his goal.
I Read this short yet articulate novel over 2 months ago, during my Christmas Break from school. Well, as I am writing this review now that I just learned to appreciate this book that is because of the fact it had adventure and some romance that wasn't as explored yet I am at utter cross roads on whether or not really this book had romance that is because Morgan and his wife seemed to have laborious times getting to know each other.
This book exactly isn't a great novel to start on Steinbeck because the adventure niche isn't everyone's cup of tea, be it a long or short book. I suggest reading "Of Mice and Men", if ever an aspiring reader wants to start with Steinbeck's works. Now, to conclude, this work of Steinbeck has its mark on historical fiction, even though this book is lesser known from his oeuvre of works.
I feel like this book is getting bad reviews because people feel it doesn't read like the Steinbeck they are used to. I feel this is still a great, somewhat historically accurate, story about Henry Morgan. My only qualm is that Steinbeck breezes over things I think could use more exploration.
adventurous
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes