They Made it into a Movie: The Pearl by John Steinbeck

We all dream of hitting the lottery or inheriting a fabulous windfall or just finding an unmarked bag of money in the bushes somewhere (that last one is mine, actually). We imagine all the wonderful things that will drift into our laps and all the good food and expensive clothes we will buy. "The Good Life" is what we call it.

When Kino, a poor Mexican pearl diver, discovers a huge specimen housed in a big clam he thinks his prayers have been answered. He declares to his wife Juana that she will have shoes and their baby son will grow up to be literate. He believes that life will be good for them, and they have the pearl to thank.

When word of the incredible pearl drifts down to the greedy neighborhood doctor and the local pearl dealers, Kino's troubles begin. Juana's female intuition kicks in and she admits to Kino that she only sees death and unhappiness in the pearl's shiny, cold exterior. Kino ignores her, despite the increasing danger that his family is in as the head pearl dealer closes in on the coveted pearl. Eventually, Kino, Juana and their child are driven into the swamp to flee from this greedy madman. From there it gets more crazy and insane.

It was an emotionally gripping and very suspenseful tale, and I wished that I had read the book (novella) before the movie. My husband has read it and I quote "The book is way better than the movie". Isn't that usually the way?

Praise(s): The lesson of how greed destroys, The lovely actress María Elena Marqués who played Juana is the jewel of this movie

Complaint(s): Kino (Pedro Armendáriz) comes off as a bit of an idiot

*** 3 out of 5

"Cassandra At The Wedding" by Dorothy Baker

Meet Cassandra Edwards. A smart, witty, strong and cynical woman. She has spent her life building up an internal cell block for her and her twin sister/best friend, Judith Edwards. The cell was meant to keep the world at a distance, to protect the twins from outside persuasion. And it worked. But when the unexpected happens and Judith falls in love, Cassandra is beside herself with disbelief and a bit of grief. And then the news arrives: Cassandra is invited to the upcoming wedding for her sister and the man (whose name she constantly confuses). Cassandra packs up her bitterness, some hell-fire and a white dress into a suitcase and drives home to attend the wedding...

I really liked this book. More than anything I felt like I could identify with the feelings of isolation from Cassandra, even though it was more or less self-imposed. I think it was easy for the reader to understand Cassandra’s point of view (whether or not we agreed) and even sympathize with her. I couldn’t say much more about the book without giving anything away, but it’s an excellent read with beautiful language (reading Dorothy Baker is like reading poetry) and a powerful climax. I felt that the book did lag in a few places but the writing is so good the lax parts aren’t a hardship to read and enjoy.

Praise(s): The language!
Complaint(s): The ending. It left me flat.

*** 3 stars out of 5