Book Review: The Pearl by John Steinbeck

Book Title: The Pearl
Author: John Steinbeck
Genre: Parable
Form: Novelette / Novella
Language: English
ISBN-10: 014017737X
ISBN-13: 978-0140177374
Publisher: Penguin Books
Where To Buy: National Bookstore (Philippine) | Price: ₱279.00
Comment: I just borrowed this book from my niece.

Front Cover of The Pearl by John Steinbeck - Penguin Books

Back Cover of The Pearl by John Steinbeck - Penguin Books

The setting of the story is in a poverty area on a land's seashore, I think, in a shore around Gulf of somewhere in Mexico. The main characters are Kino (the one who found the pearl of the world), Juana (Kino's wife) and Coyotito (their son).

In the story, I see that there's a barrier between rich people & the poor. I learned, In the time setting of the story, being married & being baptized would require a sum of money and getting a healthcare / a doctor would also require a sum of money. People, their neighborhood have the culture of being a gossiper where story crawls to neighbor-to-neighbors, reaching beggars to churches, offices, tantamount to the whole city.

On the last part of the story, I didn't know first exactly how *spoiler alert* their son died. It made me wonder if it was because of stray bullet fired by the hunters to scared the coyotes off who they thought was crying. Juana and her son were left to the cave. How the bullet got inside? The last part didn't clearly tell how it happens because the conclusion of the story is they arrived back in the city, with Juana having her son dead and Kino having a rifle on his back. Kino decided to throw the pearl back to the sea because it brought pain & disaster to them. And i think it's already useless too because his dream for his Coyotito will never happen.

I searched for more information about the ending of the story and it confirms the cause of death was because of a stray bullet fired by the hunters. ( source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pearl_(novel) )

What i learned after reading the story - having a valuable item or something great about yourself, there's an accompanied envious feeling on someone's end. Envy is a sin according to Christian ethics. For me, envy is a sin if and only if you are doing something bad due great desire. In my opinion, I couldn't say it's a sin if you're doing something good or something with an effort to get what you're envying about (like working hard to buy what you desire). Envy is a sin if you're doing something bad like stealing or doing something wrong to the person just to get what you desire. Simple, Isn't it? Well, speak of 7 Deadly Sins, the story may also relate to other three deadly sins called Greed, Wrath & Pride.

My review ends here.

Thank you for reading :-)

By the way, If you'd like to buy the book, you may click the links below by Amazon.com:

You will like it.

Thanks!

Career Civil Service Sub-professional & Professional Book Reviewers

What is Career Civil Service (CSC) Examination?
It's a pencil-and-paper test conducted by Civil Service Commission (CSC) in the Philippines for the purpose of readying aspiring takers to get into government service. Government offices in the Philippines are mostly requiring applicants to have this exam, passed.

When can i take the CSC exam?
The test holds two times per year. For this year, the examination dates April 14, 2013 (ended already) and October 13, 2013. The period of application for October exam already started April 15, 2013 to August 30, 2013.

Where can i take the test?
CSC will inform the applicant or will send you the "Notice of School Assignment". Examinations are to be taken on the assigned public elementary schools.

How much is examination fee?
It will cost you 500.00 pesos.

For more information not answered to this post, you may visit their site here: http://excell.csc.gov.ph/cscweb/geninfo_cse.html

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Based from Experience

I took the CSC examination back year 2010 and unfortunately, I didn't passed because i didn't reviewed much back that time. I thought the exam would be easy like a simple IQ test but it is NOT.

Is there a reason for you or me to take the CSC exam? Back the time i finished my college (circa 2010), CSC exam was a requirement. Yes, I may need it because I'm job hunting. It's a need to qualify for a job in Government office. Luckily, upon receiving the failed result of my exam, I already landed a job in a private company where I still work as of today.

Though I'm working in a private company now, I'm still going to retake the CSC Examination. There's an urge inside me to retake the exam. Maybe, I just want to achieve something or maybe i just want to support our Government (now, i'm getting nationalistic but no).

Next, I'll discuss the book reviewer I'm using.

Recommended Book Reviewer for Sub-pro & Professional Takers:

Book Title: MSA™ Civil Service Reviewer for Professional and Sub-Professional Levels
Edition: The New Millennium Edition
Authors: Merle S. Alferez, Amacha A. Feliciano
ISBN: None
Price: ₱225.00 in National Bookstore, Philippines
Comment: This is the first reviewer i bought back year 2010. I haven't answered all the questions in this book and one factor why i failed the test. The publisher of this book actually has an establishment - a review and a training center in 315 Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philippines 1105. (see below the front cover of the book)

MSA Civil Service Reviewer (2010) - published with quality

MSA Civil Service Reviewer (2010) - sneak peek

What i like about the MSA CSC reviewer is their high-quality paper and good printing. The choices in the test questions are shade'able.

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Book Title: Career Civil Service Sub-Professional & Professional Reviewer
Author: Arellano V. Busto
Publisher: A. V. B. Printing Press
ISBN: 97189-6103-8
Price: ₱275.00 in National Bookstore, Philippines
Other Inclusion: with CSC Form 100 for applicant to fill up
Comment: This is the second reviewer i just bought last month. I thought my first reviewer is lost but I found it eventually in my bookshelf (my poor eyesight). Anyway, It's still a good thing i bought it because it's aimed for 2013 exams. (see front cover below)

Well, compare to MSA reviewer which will show you ahead the questions in the next 3 pages, this book by Busto is a comprehensive one. It tells you first everything about CSC (not the answers of course). It's very informative and the context sounds like the author came from a Government office, If you know what i mean. (see pictures below)

CSC Reviewer by Busto (2013) - he added the 10 Commandments, really

CSC Reviewer by Busto (2013) - informative

CSC Reviewer by Busto - additional commandments in the rear cover 

The con of Busto's CSC reviewer is that the included Form 100 is poorly attached. (see below)

CSC Reviewer by Busto (2013) - Free Form 100 is Poorly Attached

I detached the form carefully but the Form 100 is, the margin of it is bounded. So how careful i try, It will mess up. I actually checked the other copies in National Bookstore and some of them are poorly attached too.

If you will ask me which one to buy, I would still buy the book by Busto because of its comprehensiveness and full of details about taking the exam (never mind the attached Form 100, I can download the form from CSC site anyway).

As for the contender, I checked the latest MSA reviewer in National Bookstore and the book is still straight-forward. Anyway, the CSC site is there to check for information.

Here's my tip for you about buying these book reviewers, If you have a friend who will also going to take the exam, set a condition with him/her. He/she may bought the MSA reviewer while you bought the reviewer book by Busto. When both parties are done answering their book, exchange or trade books to try-out the other.

Hope my tips helps.

Good luck to all of us on taking the October CSC exam.

Thanks!

Khaled Hossieni's "And The Mountains Echoed" Signed Copies For Sale

A friend of my told me about "Kite Runner" book. He said it's an interesting book and I should read it to be inspired.

Anyway, I just found that the author of Kite Runner has a new book and Barnes & Noble is selling signed copies of it. (see below for the product link):

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/and-the-mountains-echoed-hosseini-khaled/1114193156

If anyone is interested to this book, grab the chance. Value of such book would raise in the future.

Thanks!

Neil Gaiman's Signed Copy of The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Up for Sale in Barnes & Noble

Luckily, they've placed it back to their product listings. I thought I'm going to missed it forever.

Without a second thought, I pre-ordered two copies of Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane signed editions.

Here's the product link if you're interested to buy:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ocean-at-the-end-of-the-lane-gaiman-neil/1114796840

Additionally, Neil Gaiman himself confirmed he will signed those book listed in Barnes & Noble; see his tweet below:

https://twitter.com/neilhimself/status/319522293644668928

Thanks!

Dan Brown's New Book Inferno - Signed Copy Up for Sale in Barnes & Noble

I missed to buy the signed copy of "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" last month, I will never miss another signed copy sale by Barnes&Noble. That's right, they're selling signed copies of Dan Brown's newest thrilling novel - Inferno which is due to release May 2013.

It's a signed edition so I hurriedly bought two copies. See attached screenshot of the transaction below:

Inferno by Dan Brown (Signed Edition) - I just bought 2 signed edition

I'm just blogging this because I'm excited and this is what Literateknolohitura site is for - books!

Well, with Neil Gaiman's signed copy book sale last month (February 2013), also sold by Barnes&Noble, I think the product link just lasted for 2 days and it's gone to the list. With the Inferno book, I wouldn't think for more days before I buy, I expect this will last for a day only, you know, Dan Brown's books are very popular.

I'm a fan and I shouldn't missed to buy a signed copy. I actually bought 2 books - 1 for my personal use and the other 1 is for preservation (time will come when its price will rise).

For your buying reference, here's the product link of the Inferno by Dan Brown (Signed Edition):
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inferno--brown-dan/1114852864?ean=9780385538176

By the way, the book is related to Dante Alighieri's book The Inferno. I made a review of this book, you might be interested to read the review first before you buy Dan Brown's Inferno, here's a link for your reference:

http://www.literateknolohitura.com/2011/01/inferno-by-dante-alighieri.html

Thanks!

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- UPDATE - 03/30/2013
As I've checked today, the product list is no longer available. Congratulations to all lucky buyers who purchased the signed edition :-)

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Pagsusuri sa Aklat: Ang Pera na Hindi Bitin ni Ardy O. Roberto, Jr.

Pamagat: Ang Pera na Hindi Bitin
May-akda: Ardy O. Roberto, Jr.
Presyo: 50.00 pesos

Ang Gabay sa Pera

Di patok sa akin ang pamalat ng aklat pero nang subukin kong basahin dahil na rin sa pag talakay sa akin ng isa kong kaopisina tungkol rito, ay nagkainteres na rin ako. Sa sumunod na pahina, alam ko na, mala-Colayco at Koyasaki ang pag-gabay niya tungkol sa wastong pag-gamit ng pera. Kakatuwa ang mga kataga at hinding hindi ka magiging ganid pagkatapos mo mabasa ang librong ito, dahil may halong may pagka-banal ang pagkatalakay niya sa pera. Opo, kristiyano si Ardy at opo, di ako relihiyoso pero iginagalang ko ang mga bersikolong inilagay niya sa aklat. Tama naman at may punto ang mga kataga at bersikulo galing Bibliya.

Ang Pera na Hindi Bitin ni Ardy O. Roberto, Jr. (Harapang Pamalat)

Ang Pera na Hindi Bitin ni Ardy O. Roberto, Jr. (Likurang Pamalat)

Matapos ko mabasa ang aklat, eto ang mga leksyon na natutunan ko:
- di mo na kailangan maubusan ng pera para matuto sa pagkakamali at magkapera, sapat na ang sikwenta pesos na librong ito bilang pagbubukas sa iyong katangian sa paggamit ng wasto sa pera
- paumanhin pero para sa akin, di ko na kailangan mag-ambag ng pera sa simbahan para gantimpalaan ako ng espiritwal na nilalang (Diyos) ng swerte sa pera, naniniwala ako sa diyos pero ayaw ko ng mga sistema.
- kung nakakabasa lang ako ng ganitong libro tulad nung kay Colayco noong bata pa ako, marahil may naipon na ako ngayong sa edad kong 'to na pang-negosyo, nakakapagsisi pero di pa huli ang lahat (ako bente-singko anyos na, oh my, oh my!)
- di muna ako mag-aasawa o makikipag-landi sa babae hangga't wala akong ginhawa sa buhay
- hahanap ako ng babae tulad ng asawa nung may-akda, yung babae na may "pag-iisip" at marunong mag-hirap . . . maraming maganda riyan, marami sa kanila mataas ang expectation ( di lahat, pero karamihan :P )
- wag makontento sa isang trabaho, kailangan ko ng maraming gimik, yung iba't-ibang pinagmumulan ng pera

Pagpapasalamat
- Para kay +Nelson Evangelista - salamat. Ginaya ko lamang ang bagger sa pahina 24. Hiniram ko ang libro mong ito dahil mahal kasi :D
- Para sa Diyos na lumikha sa sangkatauhan (yung walang pangalan, yung di rebulto)
- Para sa aking pamilya na nagpalaki sa akin at para sa tunay kong mga magulang na di ko pa kilala - kung asan man kayo, masaya sana kayo sa pinag-gagawa ninyo
- Para sa aking sarili na hindi basta-basta naiimpluwensiyahan, naiimpluwensyahan lamang ng nasa tama

Salamat.