5 comments about Shock Wave.

1. This is my first Clive Cussler book, and as a fanatical reader of thrillers I would say Shock Wave was an occasionally entertaining near miss. Cussler is clearly a very imaginitive storyteller with a deep knowledge of all things nautical, but he goes overboard on the action to the point where the story becomes a cartoon. If he would tone it down a bit, add a little more realism, the story would become much more gripping and suspenseful. After 2 or 3 superhuman escapes by Dirk Pitt, you realize that he's Superman and nothing can hurt him, so the story loses all suspense. Also, the main storyline about a sound wave that can kill over thousands of miles seemed utterly ludicrous and unbelievable.
   
   The best parts of the story were the opening scene on the doomed ship, and the chapter where Pitt is cast adrift on a raft and manages to survive. Cussler is great when he's describing ocean survival and the lore of the sea; if he would stick closer to that instead of the over-the-top James Bond stuff he could spin a great tale. The rest of the story is mostly cliched, cartoonish and silly to anyone who has read better writers in the genre like Forsyth, DeMille and Fleming. Not recommended for serious fans of thriller fiction unless you really love nautical adventure and don't expect much realism or refined writing in your novels.



2. Even though I've read a lot of Pitt novels they are still very enjoyable to read. Standard ocean catastrophe and Dirk and Al have to figure out the mystery. Good mix of adventure and science. Very well written.



3. By far Clive Cussler's best book yet. Almost an unputdownable book. Only weaknesses albiet small was the beginning and the end. But the middle towards the end, how my gosh! I couldn't put it down! A different spin in every chapter!



4. If you do not believe in the religion of global warming and corporate consiracy theories your eyes will pop out of your head every two pages. The best part of this book is the lead-up to the main story line. The main story line is more suited to a scooby-doo episode than an adult action novel.



5. One of the best Clive Cussler novels I've read, and I've read quite a few. Gripping adventure as always. Cussler never fails to deliver. Shock Wave will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Cussler uses a topical situation on which to base his story around, and as always some interesting characters are introduced as the story progresses. Being an Aussie, I liked the fact that an Australian character was included, albeit the villain. A top read and a must for all Cussler fans, and those not yet fortunate enough to have read a Clive Cussler novel.
   
   Real Life Dramas - Volume One
   
   Darren G. Burton

5 comments about The Dark Tower (The Dark Tower, Book 7).

1. < Spoiler >
   
   
   Yeah, I made it to the end. It sucks. It's not that it sucks because of what happens - what sucks is that it doesn't make sense. The Gunslinger is a semi-angelic character physically glowing (somewhere in book 6?) with Good, who finds himself turned away at the Gate. It's as though Goodness lied to Roland, which simply doesn't happen. Goodness doesn't lie; otherwise, it wouldn't be Good.
   
   So that's my issue with the book and the entire second half of the Gunslinger series: It lied. If you need more lies in your life then by all means, finish the series. As for me, I get my fill on the evening news.



2. The series would have been better off if a ghost writer or collection of fans got together at a pub and wrote the last 3 books. Wolves of the Calla took me two years to read, I skimmed through Song of Susannah, and read the first 100 pages of Dark Tower VII.
   
   The worst part for me is that I loved the series and characters. By the time I got into VII, I could care less. Wish Susannah would get run over by another subway, Eddie would OD, Roland would blow his other hand off, and Oy would get gurt and die. Only Jake still held any interest.
   
   Do yourself a favor and read the spoilers here in the reviews. I skipped to the last chapter of the book and then still didn't care how it ended.



3. The Dark Tower is the seventh and final novel in Stephen King's eponymous series. This is the longest book in the series by far, and it needs to be, after a bunch of nothing happened in Song of Susannah. After something of a slow start, the book picks up nicely, with a pace and urgency this series hasn't seen in quite a long time. For the first time in a long time, the Dark Tower is suspenseful.
   
   The Dark Tower also marks the expected appearances of a cavalcade of characters from King's other works, as King (as he has stated) tries to tie practically his entire writing career together under the Dark Tower umbrella, and in that respect he does a fairly good job.
   
   But The Dark Tower is far from perfect. This book is over the top in many ways - gruesome deaths and dismemberments, disgusting eating habits described in detail, and so forth. The "climaxes" at the end of the book are rather anticlimactic, as the resolution of the fates of three villains (Flagg, Mordred, and the Crimson King) are varying degrees of underwhelming. Many inexplicable and convenient developments occur, including but not limited to the handy teleportation seemingly available whenever needed. Deus ex machina is through the roof. King at one point even references his own use of it - and no, Mr. King, you don't "hide it well."
   
   For the first time in the series, King shifts into first person narration here and there, and it's extremely jarring. He mostly uses it to comment on or excuse what's happening in the story: "Okay, someone's about to die, it's really sad, get ready, no, I don't really want them to die either, but it's out of my control, see?" In his author's note, he again refuses to take responsibility, saying the story goes where it wants to. This is true to an extent, but King has always run down the field with it.
   
   Many readers were no doubt upset by the fates of many long-running characters. But the fate of a character always remains completely within the author's purview. If King says that's what happened to Character A, then that's what happened, and that's the breaks. How a character meets his or her fate (and how it is portrayed) has a lot more to do with whether the writer did a good job than whether or not the author killed such-and-such a character
   
   As King himself says of this series in his author's note: "I know that not been entirely successful." This is quite true. But it has been successful more often than not, but not down the stretch, and not always when it counted.
   
   All in all, The Dark Tower marks the end of an uneven, long-winded but worthwhile series that does not in any way compare to the classic epics like Tolkein's Lord of the Rings (which King the character compares the Dark Tower series to at one point).



4. I finished the book Sunday evening, and today, Wednesday, I'm still upset about it. I hated a lot of things about this book, but three stand out:
   - Announcing Deus ex Machina in advance doesn't make it any better, and the large number of them is just mindboggling.
   - Many reviewers have complained about how easily the villains get dispatched that there's no need to go deeply into it. But Mordred somehow forgetting about the mental powers he used so efficiently to dispose of Flagg is beyond belief.
   - But what really bummed me out was the Dark Tower itself. The Dark Tower, the center of the universe, the thing that holds all the worlds together, turns out to be ... a freaking museum, dedicated to Roland Deschain by Stephen King! Unbelievable! Talk about lack of imagination. It's no surprise that Mr. King doesn't like endings, if he can't do better than that in the most important book of his career, his magnum opus.
   
   Finally, I'm just mystified about the large number of five star reviews. I can't help but wonder how many of these originate from the publisher. I appeal to Amazon.com to either remove these reviews or mark them as biased if possible, even though it may reduce sales. It's only fair to the readers.



5. I started reading the series 3 months ago, and have since not been able to put down any of the books. I read some of the reviews before every book (but not enough to spoil anything for me), and was starting to get nervous with some of the critisism I encountered. By the time I got to book 7, I was terrified it might suck. Fortunately, I was blown away with nothing but positive vibes for the ending.
   
   SPOILER ALERT!!!!!
   Part of me wishes I had never read Coda (then my ending would have been the Tower door slamming shut behind Roland-which in my opinion would have been sweet enough). But, one has to finsh what they start, and so I read on (after 4000 plus pages, I wasn't going to stop so close to the end). It's kind of what I expected. That is, a bit of a downer with a possible positive (the horn). But WTF, that's a King novel. The ending had to be dark. Remember folks, its a Dark Tower, not a White Tower.

5 comments about Big Russ and Me: Father ans Son: Lessons in Life.

1. I am deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Tim Russert. Obviously I didnt know him on a personal basis, only through the media. But he made each and every one of us feel he was our best friend. I saw a man who was deeply religious, sweet, good, loving of his country and a great father, husband and friend. You could tell how important family was to him and this book only solidifies the obvious. Warm and touching, it is a great read. Not just for father's, but for everyone. You were bigger then life. Thank you Tim, you will be sorely missed.



2. What a great book. I'll miss you Mr. Russert.
   
   Joel Simkhai



3. Tim Russert unexpected death shocked us all. My heart sunk when I heard of this tragedy. The Today show anchors were all very emotional when speaking of their colleague. This speaks volumes for the love of the people who knew him.
   
   He was loved and respected by many friends and fans. He was one of the few political reporters that gave us both sides of the story. When he talked we listened and knew it was a strong and valid opinion to hear.
   
   Merna
   
   Pocket of Pearls: A 30-day pocket workbook to start hearing a softer voice inside of you!



4. Great book. At first, I thought it read a little too corny, but then I realized that it could not have been written any differently. Read this book.



5. I bought this book 4 years ago while visiting Washington, D.C. We had just missed Tim's book signing at Barnes & Noble. I never got around to reading it, but over the past few months moved it to the top of my stack. On June 13, I reached for the book and discovered I had bought an autographed copy. I'll keep it forever. I've finished the book and no words can express what a loss his departure from this earth will mean for all of us. What a countryman!

5 comments about The Whole Truth.

1. Likely one of the worst fiction books ever written. Premise, characters, sub plots simply contrived and unbelievable. I have read all of his previous works and this one is simply horrible. If it wasn't for the fact that I was on a trans-Atlantic flight with few options this book would have never been read. Much like Tom Clancy, Baldacci seems to be ridding on the crest of previous success and puts little or no work into this book.



2. The book had a good start with double plots and things being unclear where the story would run to. Very psychological. At the end action without any rest or reflection. I could recommend it for the first 3/4 of the book.



3. This book gets several five stars ratings though I have to only give it four stars in the international aspect. I never really felt like I was Dublin or London or on the Mediterranean. It gets ten stars for timing, and five stars for importance and entertainment.
   It is usually hard to be highly entertaining and important at the same time. Clive Cussler is the master of entertainment but he hardly tries to educate or sound alarms. "House of War" and "The Creature from Jekyll Island" are extremely important but hardly entertaining.
   This book is easily worth several hundred dollars but I can't hardly do it justice right now because the Bushbarians and the perception managers drove me to drink.
   While the author laments on the fact that bloggers often don't double check facts, he overlooks the fact that the Pentagon did the same thing until Reagan gave them the desired budget. The USSR had four ICBMs during the 50's 'missile gap'. There was a missile gap alright. Kennedy went on the air encouraging Americans to dig a nuclear bomb shelter in their back yards. Administrations running with unconfirmed information is hardly new.



4. David Baldacci's fast plots and intriguing story lines have made him a favorite author of my friends. I've enjoyed his novels - but this one stepped outside the usual "good, quick read" and captured the same sense of innovation and excitement I experienced when reading his first novel, Aboslute Power. The Whole Truth is very relevant to our instant information age, with spin doctors manipulating perception and blogs carrying news to us faster than old fashioned print media. A very topical and frightening thriller.



5. I always enjoy reading Baldacci as I find it very hard to put the book down. I say to myself, I will close with the next chapter and then go to bed, but I find myself keeping right on reading until the wee hours of the morning.

5 comments about Raisin in the Sun, A.

1. "A Raisin in the Sun" is an example of Midwestern African American literature, which delivers a realistic view of conditions of living for impoverished African Americans living in the Southside of Chicago. However, some tend to abjure this idea of Hansberry's play, they believe that her view of this lifestyle was exaggerated. The acumen of Hanberry's knowledge on the subject is lost on some, however her detailed sketch of the Younger's life shows the rest of us that this must have deeply affected her. The acerbic tone of Mama Younger when she is discussing money with her son shows Hansberry's expertise. With acrimony Walter (Mama's son) goes to his job as a driver of the rich every weekday. Hansberry's makes it clear to the reader that Walter has much antipathy towards the people he is driving around. Some may argue that in real life a chaffeur would be treated with more respect than which Walter received. However, from my experiences I've seen nothing but disrespect towards these workers. The apartment, in which the Younger's have lived for the longest time, is not a pleasant place to live. Hansberry's does an excellent job in the way she makes sure not to adumbrate the condition of the run down apartment. Some find it unrealistic that they could have been living in this ragged apartment for such a long time, and not being able to move out. This shows directly the unfair situations and poor pay that African American's received at this time in Chicago. Lorraine Hansberry's detailed play is for anyone who wished to understand the hardships of African Americans. Those who do not agree with Hansberry's interpretation of the time period are seriously misinformed. After reading this triumph Hansberry will truly have your approbation.



2. I found that this play was somewhat easy to read but definitely fits into the realism genre which I'm not really into so much. The story in mainly one about race relations but also has a large amount of insight on family dynamics. If someone is particularly interested in either topic they may very well enjoy this play much more than I did. The writing itself and character building was excellent, I just wasn't much for the topic.



3. I found this a pretty boring book to read. Not particularly well written, but the overall story isn't bad. I really would recommend that you don't buy this book (get it from the library if you have to), but instead watch the dvd/video of the play (Danny Glover is hilarious in the lead role).



4. Produced in 1959, A RAISIN IN THE SUN was the first Broadway play written by a black woman: Lorraine Hansberry (1930-1965), a memorable author who based the central story on an incident that occurred in her own family and which eventually evolved into a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 1940 as Hansberry v. Lee.
   
   The play presents us with three generations of the Younger family: the widowed matriarch Lena; her son Walter Lee and daughter Beaneatha; and Walter's wife Ruth and their son Travis. The family resides in a semi-slum apartment building on the south side of Chicago in the 1950s, where each tries to rise above the difficulties of their enviroment and the many social limitations imposed upon African-Americans at that time. But there is hope on the horizon: Lena is about to receive insurance money from her husband's death.
   
   Unfortunately, instead of pulling the family together, the money actually drives them apart. Each member lays claim to it in some form or fashion. Lena dreams of owning her own home; daughter Bea is attending medical school and needs money to finish her degree; and most especially Walter Lee dreams of owning a liquior store. Bit by bit the pressure chips away at the family, already strained by years of frustration, and explodes at the play's climax--although not precisely in a way that one might foresee. When the explosion arrives it does not shatter the family; it unexpectedly reaffirms it.
   
   When I review a play, I like point out that plays are not really intended to be read. They are intended to be seen on stage, where performing artists and designers breathe life into the lines and bring force to the story and its themes. This is true of every play. It may be especially true of A Raisin In The Sun, which on paper feels somewhat dry and slightly preachy. But I have seen the play performed--and let me assure that you that it brings the audience to hysterical laughter, painful tears, a sense of deep outrage, and an affection for its characters that few other modern plays can match. It is indeed a brilliant work and a great classic of 20th century American theatre.
   
   GFT, Amazon Reviewer



5. It is a nice book. The characters personalities made the book good. If the characters were changed the book wouldn't be as good. The story shows the life of a black family in Chicago and their struggles through the years they lived there.

5 comments about Sail.

1. Whatt could have been a stylish thriller about mere survival on the high seas turns into another cliched, predictable thrill-less plodding of wasted prose. The story line is no different in context then any of Patterson's poorly co-authored stand-alone books. (Don't call this a novel because that would be a tremendous insult to real novels).
   
   Patterson created a style some time ago that fits the beach read criteria - quick-witted, fast-paced, escapist melodrama - but ideas and the dreadful use of co-authors have devoid the beach-read genre of any original ideas. Sail could have worked if the boat had not sunk in the first 1/4 of the book. After that, it is a dreary, conspiratorial read where every character has been seen or read about before.
   
   Avoid this at all cost. Don't even borrow it from the library or a friend. Send Patterson a message - stop writing! I know I will stop reading his paultry excuse for good reading.



2. This is the first James Patterson book I've ever read. I am now inspired to become a best selling novelist because if this trash sells, anyone could do it ! What a waste of paper.



3. I loved this story. I couldn't put the book down. In fact, I read it all in less than 24 hours. It was exciting, a real page turner. I loved what I thought as the very real dysfunctional family related to the death of their father, being raised with lots of money and privilege and teens who were typically rebellious and a mother who was too busy with her career to care. I do believe a lot of these families do exist. And to see them struggle but grow and mature with near disasters is heart warming. We can only hope that it could actually happen to families such as these.
   The story was action packed--never a boring minute. The "new" husband was exactly the kind of guy known as a "gold digger". I was very happy that he turned out to be behind a lot of the chaos----happy to see him go down.
   This kind of read is perfect for the beach or hot tub---pure entertainment, fast reading and exciting all the way to the end.



4. Never having read a James Patterson book I took this up on the suggestion of a friend. The plot is pretty straight forward. A troubled family goes for a vacation in their deceased father's yacht in the attempt to reconnect. A bomb goes off after a lengthy storm and they are on an uninhabited island. Shock of all shocks her husband is behind it! Will they get out alive? Will the husband find them before the search team? Will the do gooder detective beat them to the punch???
   
   As you probably guessed this book is oozing cliques (he actually uses a TON of them in his descriptions), predictable plot lines and works more on building up suspense than characters who you can truly connect and relate to. This is not a sophisticated piece of writing and was probably done to make a few more bucks rather than to inspire, move or even showcase a true literary talent. However, it is an incredibly easy read and the suspense is done pretty well. I finished it in a couple hours and although it was cheesy, so are some of the sitcoms I have sat through.
   
   I was curious about Patterson after all the hype surrounding some of his novels, and I don't hate the book, but I probably won't read another one of his books unless I want to take a break from thinking.



5. I love Patterson and kept waiting for the story to get a little meatier but....it just missed the mark. Its a fast read, but not worth the cover price. I kept hoping for another like "The Quickie" but got nothing. Sorry folks...but this one was bland for me.

5 comments about More Napalm & Silly Putty.

1. People probably thought I was insane as I drove past them in my car laughing at this very funny audiobook. I have to guess that the audio version is better than the text because Carlin's delivery is so fantastic. You really have to hear the way he says it to get the full impact of the humor.

   Carlin is a master at two things:
   1.) Carefully choosing the exact words to describe stupid things about life
   2.) Expression and delivery

   In this book he talks about some of the silly things we say like, "Give my love to so and so" and "Do you have the time"? Both very funny sketches.

   Its not a live comedy show so there is no laugh track which I find makes the silly nature of the subjects even more amusing.

   At times, he goes overboard and I think his far left political commentary will offend but I'm sure he doesn't care. Some of the jokes aren't that funny and I think he was running short on the "A" material. Nevertheless, there is plenty of hilarious stuff here and if you're a fan of George Carlin you won't want to miss it.




2. Much of this - and I mean MUCH of this - most Carlin fans already own in one capacity or another. A lot of this consists of material drawn from his "You Are Diseased" record and other older stuff as well, so if you're already a fan, steer clear. Having his material prsented in an audiobook format (him in a studio reading into a microphone with no crowd interplay) just deadens much of the material and makes you overly conscious of how he does the magic. There are times when he reads off stuff that, when you hear it live, you think is aside material (the errant curse word, the witty follow-up). When presented here, this normally dicey flavor just comes off scripted and flat.

   Stick to his live records. This is just an attempt to stay in the mix because the book versions do so well (bearing in mind, the books basically codify his stage material beyond the excellent "Brain Droppings" tome).




3. WHAt Kind of an as*h*** writes down 300 pages of questions and doesnt give one f***ing answer. Think About that Eh!



4. It's difficult for people like George Carlin to live in such a crazy country. Anyone with a logical and objective mind can see the silliness of religion. It is the greatest scam ever pulled on mankind. The religious right with their backwardness and ignorance have plenty of time on their hands hence all the bad reviews here. Well if you lot want to chant on a daily basis to an invisible man in the sky that's your business.... the rest of us will just laugh our heads off at you and make sure your moralistic and hypocritical rules don't invade our wonderful free country. Go and join the taliban and form your own country and enjoy many hours a day chanting at the sky. It's a wonderful book from an american genius.



5. Buy used, and only to complete a collection. It is funny, but it is the comedic equivalent to a reflux disease and the up-swallow of all his old work. Carlin fans already own the bulk of this in one capacity or another. If you are a female this artist often feels rough, sort of psycho, and angry bitter. As a woman you sort of wonder how his wife puts up with the madness because he has no soft or sly delivery techniques in this work. He is in your face and on a rant with no answers offered to the problems of the world he obliterates. Just complaints.
   
   This is a created to be gift for a liberal guy in his 50's who remembers that Carlin actually HAS made a political contribution to our society through his work on free speech. If you have no idea what to get your uncle, brother, or father for his 50Th birthday get the whole set of George Carlin on CD. This as a book is sort of sad, and as a CD is best bought to complete a set. If you are buying only one item of this artist it is not stand alone quality.
   
   RICH CHICKS specializes in media that is purchased by women. We read hundreds of books every year and are serious about or recommendations. We review materials that are of interest to our female demographic. We do not get a kick-back or commission for our reviews so they are left as an impartial judge.

5 comments about Brain Lock.

1. Reading this book has confirmed to me that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is certainly the best way to reduce the obsessions and compulsions associated with OCD. As a sufferer for many years I found this book to be very helpful and although it may not be a quick-fix it has definitely helped me and has made me more open to the prospect of engaging in CBT with a trained therapist. My only complaint, if you can call it that, is that I would have valued more case studies that described more examples of how someone sufferes from OCD as I could not really relate to the case studies mentioned, however this is just a personal issue and many readers will be able to relate to the given examples.



2. Brain Lock: Free Yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior
   We purchased this book to assist a friend who is very debilitated by the effects of OCD. The book takes a detailed look at what is happening, research into the causes and a system for reducing the effects of OCD, all interlaced with case studies illustrating the differing courses the illness takes. The system advocated is based on considerable research and portrays positive ways forward for people who may otherwise find it almost impossible. The pages contain essential information for those affected directly, family members, carers and professionals which can be accessed quckly.



3. Is easy to read and understand---difficult subject. Have passed the book on to friends with family members with OCD. Always a good sign when a book gets passed on.



4. This book saved my life. The principles explained here, properly understood and applied, will lead you down the path of recovery from ocd.
   You must fully and deeply understand what Dr. Schwartz is saying! A cursory read is not enough. I would highly recommend his audio cd from 2001 entitled "progressive mindfulness" to go along with this book.
   As a lifelong sufferer of ocd, this book unlocked the door and my brain.
   Thank you Dr. Schwartz!



5. This is one of several recent good books on OCD. Incidentally they all seem to think the disorder is new to psychiatry and complain of patients having previously been misdiagnosed and mistreated, I think Foa and Foa's book is about the best in general as a self-help book. This is very well written, with Beverly Beyette named as a ghost. There are very long and detailed case histories, which are intensely readable just as stories. Schwartz emphasizes the possibility of an organic etiology. The explanation of brain imaging is especially lucid and I found itmore understandable than the original journal articles. It is the only OCD book with an extended discussion of the role of the family as enablers, and I will be recommending it especially to patents' families. There are no references to Internet or NIMH information recources

5 comments about Odd Hours (Odd Thomas) (Odd Thomas).

1. Once upon a time
   There was Odd.
   
   Created by Koontz,
   he sees dead people,
   or rather, their unsettled spirits.
   Odd's job is to do something about it.
   
   This is the fourth book of Odd.
   Elvis has left the building,
   but his place has already been filled
   (So to speak)
   by the Chairman of the Board
   
   With his ghost dog by his side
   Magic Beach calls
   and Odd answers.
   There are no bodachs here
   But danger lurks along the shore
   With a crimson tide
   
   The Harbor Patrol
   Seems to be harboring something
   And with the pricking of his thumbs
   He can tell that
   something wicked is about to come
   
   Richly descriptive
   Humorous
   Edge of the seat entertainment
   Except for the plot
   Which isn't that great
   But somehow that doesn't seem to matter
   
   The word is Odd
   And it is good
   
   
   
   
   
   Amanda Richards, July 4, 2008



2. I absolutely LOVED the first book in this series; it even made me tear up. The second was pretty good, but after that, the books seemed full of filler. You know, lots of descriptions of getting away from the bad guys that could have been condensed to a page or two, but instead take up two chapters, etc.
   
   I enjoy the fact that the idea for this series is so unique, but I just don't think the last few books have had enough plot to sustain an entire book -- perhaps some short stories gathered in a collection.



3. The pacing is excellent, I felt a connection to all the characters, and the story is well told. I liked this one better than 'Brother Odd' although they both rely on white-out conditions. In 'Brother Odd' it's snow; in 'Odd Hours' it's fog. Dean will be accused of cookie-cuttering (yeah, I butchered the term), and I can't remember a Koontz story without one of those golden retrievers in it. Please, please Dean - if you read this, please write something without dogs in it (even if it's a damn poem).
   
   There is a little four part primer (not a spoiler) on YouTube. They're called webisodes, and they are entitled 'Odd Passenger'. They are well done, even if they are just commercials designed to get you to buy the book.
   
   Odd is a great character. I want to run in to him at a diner someplace, or maybe even hitchhike with him for a while. In a world full of people so full of themselves, we could use a few more like Odd.



4. I've read where Koontz plans to make Odd Thomas a total of 6 novels. I hope the last 2 are along the lines of the first and third novels. While not as disappointing as Forever Odd, there are similarities. The beginning of the book involves an overly long and involved chase scene. While much of this book has the wonderfully witty and wacky conversations that endear so many to Odd, there are so many loose ends flopping around at the end of the book that it is hard to understand what the real point of this book was. After reading Forever, I felt like the book was simply filler leading to an excuse to drive Odd out of his hometown and into the larger world. This book is much the same. Simply filler being used to introduce Odd to characters and trauma that will obviously lead to the real story in the next couple books. I still enjoyed this book much more than Forever Odd, and it had plenty in it starting at the halfway point to make it an enjoyable read, but as one other reviewer stated, If I wasn't both a Koontz and Odd fan, I probably wouldn't have made it past the first third of this book.



5. There is plenty of "Odd" humor in this book!! Makes you remember how much you like and feel for Odd.

5 comments about Pearl (Classics on Cassette).

1. Kino, his wife Juana, and their baby son Coyotito, live a simple life in an ocean-side village in Mexico. Kino pearl-dives for a living. He and his family are native people of the original Aztec stock. Life for them is not perfect, indeed, the injustice of subjugation to the Spanish sometimes burns fierce in their hearts, but much of the time their existance in their small brush hut is sweet. Then one day Kino brings to the surface a huge pearl, a perfect pearl, "the Pearl of the World". This discovery promises many changes to the better, and it seems Kino's every dream will be fulfilled, but as news of the find spreads the forces of evil stir as greed and malice build.
   
   In this novella Steinbeck uses simple language to create some of the atmosphere of a folk-tale. He has, however, combined this atmosphere with the character development and dynamism of plot expected of a modern work. At its worst this book is predictable. Virtually from the start of the story I was able to predict generally how the plot would turn out. Steinbeck's own narration, indeed, more than hints at what the future holds. But the success of this novella is in the working out of the details of the plot. Steinbeck manages to surprise us again and again with dramatic plot twists and exciting developments. I certainly cannot say I was bored by this book. It entertained me, while at the same time making a 'moral' point.



2. I give this book one star not because it is depressing or somber - but in virtue of it having a message bordering on something like nihilism. The book is about a man who is presented with sudden wealth, and of the downfall it brings him. Were he a man of already sufficient means who was presented with a fruitful lottery ticket it might be one thing, but what disturbed me about this book was that the protagonist, Kino, is a man of indisputably wretched means who initially is glad to happen across a gargantuan pearl in order that he might provide a better life for his family and rise above the unjust socio-economic caste he's been trapped in his whole life.
   But in the end, after the pearl causes terrible greed and destruction to both him and his loved ones, both internally and externally, he tosses it back in the ocean. The general message is clear enough: avoid potential sources of greed and materialism, and be happy with what you've got. Intrinsically, a perfectly sound message.
   But again, what is abhorrent about this book is it's about a man who's trying to RISE ABOVE, not gratuitously or materialistically get ahead. Unless to Steinbeck, 'rising above' in Kino's case really is just a subcategory of 'getting ahead' as opposed to 'being content.' If that is the case, that strikes me as a dichotomy unsound on every level. Or perhaps, Steinbeck's message is, or in addition is, 'don't fight the system.' (So, when people treat you like horse dung you just take it, right? Take it lying down, even if it means your children die of starvation or scorpion bites).
   If 'don't fight the system' is NOT the message of the book, then Steinbeck should have been more clear about what his message WAS. At best he's a confusing and ambivalent writer. At worst he's a nihilistic, sociologically sick person who can't even make a story enjoyable.



3. The world portrayed in THE PEARL is that of the helpless, exploited, and disinherited. It portrays the lives of people being forced to live closer to nature than most of us care to, of people who somehow don't fit into the social structure, of people who do not understand the boundaries and rules of governments and nations, and of people forced to be on the run.
   
   Steinbeck paints a beautiful family with hope and joy, but he promptly dashes all hope these people could have. It is a beautiful but dark tragedy written in poetic prose.
   
   The story is a parable with two-dimensional characters. Reading the story, I felt that these events were happening to me. There is a strong sense of universality. THE PEARL shows the best and the worst of humanity, and it displays much of Steinbeck's greatest ability to write.



4. I'm 13, and I read this for school. It's a wonderful parable.
   Kino is a poor Indian who lives with his wife, Juana, and his son, Coyotito. They are superstitious people that hears songs, when they experience feelings, like the "song of the family."
   The first conflict arises when Coyotito is stung by a scorpion. (Where Kino hears the "Song of Evil) Juana quickly sucks out the poison, but they still take him to the city doctor. The doctor publicly refuses, so Kino goes out to sea to try to find a pearl to pay the doctor with. News soon spreads that he has found the pearl of the world,(Where Kino hears the "Song of the Pearl") but Kino fails top sell it because the pearl buyers have put a ridiculously low price on the pearl. The greedy doctor then visits Kino's hut, even though Coyotito is better. The doctor then tricks Kino and Juana by making the baby worse, then making him quiet.
   That night is the first night when people try to steal the pearl. It stirs greed in Kino, though Juana wants to take it back to the ocean. When she tries Kino beats her up, and kills a man that same night. Becuase of that, Kino and his family run away. After a while, three men, one of which who has a rifle, try to find them, and his pearl. At one point, Juana and Coyotit hide in the mountains, while Kino attempts to kill them by creeping up on them. However, he hears the sound of Coyotito crying, which the three men also hear. The man with a rifle assumes it is a baby coyote, and shoots in the direction. Kino, enraged, attacks them.
   In the final chapter, you learn that Coyotito's head had been blown apart. Kino and Juana return, but act almost dead.
   They then return the pearl, and the "Music of the Pearl" disappears.
   
   I think that it is a very interesting book,though it is short. I would recommend it to people of all ages.



5. I love this book but wish Penguin would put a bit more effort into a decent binding job. Charging $9.00 for a slim paperback that will often not survive a single reading in the hands of one of my students seems excessively high.