All Simple Things but Time

By Howard Bernstein

Bernstein follows his mythic hero Norgoods (also known as N. G. Flake) travels in the old world and new. Whether Norgood visits the classical Greek and Roman gods of wine or our present moment in time of Twitter and tweets, he woos his dreams. Though often wooed and seldom won, they excite his continued journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Apr 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490733562

Howard Bernstein

Bernstein follows his mythic hero Norgood’s (also known as N. G. Flake) travels in the old world and new. Whether Norgood visits the classical Greek and Roman gods of wine or our present moment in time of Twitter and tweets, he woos his dreams. Though often wooed and seldom won, they excite his continued journey.

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Copyright 2014, 2015 Howard Bernstein.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

Note: Some of Bernstein’s poems printed here are from his book On Leave With Norgood, San Diego Poets Press.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-3355-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-3356-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014906823

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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Contents

Good Fortune

All Simple Things but Time

Between the Twitter and the Tweet

Treadmill, Life on the Run

Tarry with the Check

One for Bacchus

Then Feed Them Seeds of Age

The Alumni Magazine

Que Es La Vida?

To Diane on Her Birthday

On Leave with Norgood or Changing Planes at Cleveland

N. G. Flake, Around the World

1. Airborne

2. London

3. Munich, the Old Art Museum

4. Zurich

5. Hong Kong

6. Home

Norgood in His Dotage

Seventeenth of March

String Quartet in an Unheated Hall

A Poet Between Poems

Somehow It Will Come Right

The Edge of Farmlands

The Devil at the Chessboard

For the Man Who Gave up Sleeping

John Milton and the Ghost of Crazy Cohen

A Soldier’s Leave

Winter Trip to the Keys

Little League Father, Class II

Civil War Monument

The 320 Bomb Group in Convention Convened

Last Train from Newark

Swann’s Way

Desani Said

Knees

Bread, Said the President

Pale Silks at Dusk

The Twelfth House

Mingled and Beguiled

Grandfather

One for Joyce, Announced with Child

For Sigmund Semmel (1956-1980)

The Wake

On Leaving Rented Rooms

Winter Dream Before

Reviews for All Simple Things but Time

[rosenstern · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The allegorical novella about a pearl diver who is bestowed with an invaluable pearl. Little does he know, this pearl causes his world to come crashing down. But the real question is, is the pearl evil or is it merely a pearl and the value that he assigned it, evil- thereby making him evil? Read the book.

[lisa.johnson.james · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This short story, which reads like a fable, is the story of Kino, a poor pearl diver, & the horrific events put in motion when he finds what the villagers call The Pearl of the World. It's for the reader to decide for himself or herself whether the pearl itself is inherently evil or cursed, & brings the unfortunate events down on Kino & his family, or if it is just men who are evil that would steal this from him. Either way, the story ends badly for Kino, & strangely.....

[hockeygalscores · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book is uninteresting, unexciting, has an overlly used moral, and is overall not very good. The moral being that money can't buy happiness. It is a very repettive book, that does not provoke the interest of its readers. Most certainly not a rcommended read.

[countrylife_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Steinbeck classic, apparently based on a Mexican folktale, is a short, but powerful story of an impoverished village and the greedy who keep them so. Though few in pages, the characterization and sense of place are very strong.

[cebellol · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A beautifully written story of how wealth and greed changes people, not just the one coming into the fortune and how tragedy changes perspectives.

[kim0rau · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Kino, and Juana live in a tiny village off the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. They decide to go out pearl diving after their baby Coyotito is stung by a scorpion. Miraculously, they find a pearl, that they then try to sell to cheap dealers. Now Kino must make a decision because the longer they hold onto the pearl, the more evil lurks around them. This book was very descriptive and well writen. However, it didn't entertain me much, since I'm not too interested in morals or adulthood.

[joeydag · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

high school or junior high required reading. It was good

[rampaginglibrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I must admit i really like this spare, little parable. Some of the stuff they made us read in school was worthwhile--actually i liked a lot of it.

[anotterchaos · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Read in one labor-sitting. Classic Steinbeck, with rich descriptions and thoughtful characterizations. Sad, but inevitable, ending. I don't understand how it's listed as "Fiction Sex Customs" or "Erotic Literature" unless I'm completely missing a whole lot of symbolism (which I'm willing to concede is possible).

[elliepotten · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's been a while since I read this, and honestly I think it will be quite forgettable in the long run - but I obviously really enjoyed it at the time, hence the four-star rating! A kind of fable about greed, materialism and envy built around the discovery of a great pearl by a poor Mexican freediver, it's short, folksy, lyrical and poignant, and I very much enjoyed the musicality and dreamlike feeling of the reading experience. Not necessarily one I'd rush to read again, but quite beautiful!

[kakadoo202 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It felt like fairy tale with a moral ending.

[hermit_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A folktale of lower California is the basis for this narrative about Kino, a simple pearl fisherman, who finds an enormous pearl that promises to provide for all his family's needs. But Kino soon learns that this find brings nothing but misfortune. This misfortune prompts Kino to throw the large pearl back into the sea and resume his difficult way of life. As many learn, those who are greedy are never happy.

[omgully · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great story that was based on a Mexican tale, I believe. Another fine example of the human condition and how pride and fortune can destroy us if we're not careful.

[boundtogetherforgood · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Written in 1947, this classic tells the tale of a peasant Mexican fisherman and his wife and first-born. Tragedy strikes and then the find of a life-time. This intriguing story shows the horror of greed as well as the purity of love and devotion. I find myself trying to make moments to read from it. It is short, only 90 pages. I am 40 pages into it and can't wait to finish it though I know I will wish it weren't over.

[trilliams · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm going to tell people this is why I don't play the lottery. It's not true, but neither are most things I say, so it'll work.

[psiloiordinary_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wow a very short but very sobering read. A brief window on to Hell on earth.Pearl fisherman in abject poverty finds the pearl of the world. Jealousy, greed and horror ensue.Very simply written with very simple but non the less real characters - worth a couple of hours of anybodys time.

[krissa_6 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was a classic. That is about the best thing I can say about it. It was horrible. I think that was the most abused baby in the history of novels. I know it was supposed to teach a lesson, but it was a sad book, that kept getting worse. I kept waiting for some happy, which never really came. But, a good way to dip a toe into Steinbeck.

[meditationesmartini · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Remember that old Homer Simpson bit about beating jury duty by telling them he was prejudiced against all races? I think this book manages to exoticize all races. I wonder if Steinbeck wrote it to beat jury duty.

[kmdhow · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I read this immediately after reading "Of Mice and Men" which I loved. Maybe it was unfair to compare them, but I was disappointed with "The Pearl." A poor fisherman finds a priceless pearl and now must struggle to profit from it before greedy merchants steal it from him.

[daftboy1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Short story This is the tale of Kino and his wife Juana they are very poor, Kino pearl diver finds the biggest pearl ever they think their luck has changed for the better but it doesn't. Easy to read sad story.

[cuozzo41085 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was a challenge for me and it wasn't my favorite read either. I didn't really like the genre and it seemed a little pointless to me.

[jimocracy · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The storytelling was good but I just didn't care much for the story.

[heidilove_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I highly recommend Steinbeck.

[tullius22 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this book before, about back when I was reading The Old Man And The Sea, but I didn't know what to say about it then. And I can't say I really do now. But what can I say, really, except: well done, John, well done. (10/10)

[momma2keira · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

After his child is stung by a scorpion, a poor fisherman finds a priceless pearl. He now must struggle sell it, while local pearl dealers try to rip him off. The story is of greed and corruption and what evil man is capable of. It was a short read, I enjoyed it… but as and earlier review noted as well, I didn’t enjoy it as much as “Of Mice and Men”

[pastorbob_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Almost parable like, The Pearl is a quick read with a punch at the end. A young couple faces prejudice and a corrupted economic system as they move from dealing with a sick child to the rush of hope and excitement that comes with the discovery of a valuable treasure. But the treasure is not what it appears to be - instead of bringing fortune, instead the young couple must navigate the envy and villainous schemes of others as they are chased away from home, and into tragedy.

[angelarenea-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I really didn't like this book. I found it extreemly pretentious. I didn't understand the 'songs' that the author was talking about. Also I found it very predictable. it wasn't suspensful, nor did it have a twist to it. IT also for some reaason bothered me taht I couldn;t tell where the story took place or who the people were. They mentioned a few places/things that seemed to contradict each other.

[hankiii · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Each page I accomplished reading was just that much more in the direction of being finished with it. I didn't like it. Now, I have to figure how to teach it...

[grumpus · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There are no finer books at explaining the nature of humanity. If you are overwhelmed by your life, take a couple of hours and read this novel.

[omrythea_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A short fable to help us remember what is really important in life.