The pearl
Steinbeck John
Penguin Books
When Kino, an Indian pearl-diver, finds 'the Pearl of the world' he believes that his life will be magically transformed. He will marry Juana in church and their little boy, Coyotito, will be able to attend school.
Obsessed by his dreams, Kino is blind to the greed, fear and even violence the pearl arouses in him and his neighbours.