Customer Reviews

Pearl: A New Chapter in an Old Story

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This dark and brooding novel explores the heights men will go to when greed and cruelty consume them. Memorable, well defined characters add to the suspense and forward momentum of the plot. Written with the style and voice of the earlier work, this extraordinary novel is a perfect compliament to Steinbeck's short story and is a MUST for every high school English curriculum. A masterful achievement!

"FREAKs and PEARL are well-written books containing vivid description and interesting characters and plots. We thoroughly enjoyed reading them and believe both books would appeal to a wide audience of readers with FREAKs of particular interest to a young audience. Congratulations on a job well-done." Ralph Ferraro, Director

Steinbeck...move over! Scalia creates a thoroughly enjoyable story with vivid and unforgetable characters. He draws the reader into a world unlike our own but with a universal message~be careful what you wish for.

I know my high school readers (including reluctant readers) will be captivated! Great selection for a 'class read' -- lots to dissect and discuss. A gem.

"Pearl" was a finalist in the Foreword Magazine 2001 Writing Competition and a winner in my book! It is a great companion piece for Steinbeck's work, but able to stand up on its own. The story is simple but compelling. The style is easy and poetic. The author shows compassion and understanding for his characters. From the beginning you'll keep you turning the pages to an exciting conclusion. Try it, you'll love it!

Joe takes us past the story of Steinbeck's Kino and brings us the unfolding tale of his grandson, Lucio. Somehow Joe has managed to use his own brilliant, true voice to bring us a mystery/adventure that is so wonderfully written and so gripping that it's impossible to put down! If I could truly rate this beauty, it would definitely be at least a 10 on a scale of 1-5!! A must read; a classic in it's infancy! This is one that's great for all tastes and ages, and one you'll definitely want to own so that you can read it again and again!

Although reminiscent of Steinbeck's "The Pearl" in style and tone, Scalia's "Pearl" is more than a homage to Steinbeck. It is not a sequel, but a novel that stands on its own merits, with a story that will keep you turning the pages!