Cup of Gold by John Steinbeck
Cup of Gold by John Steinbeck tells the story of a Welsh farm boy who becomes the most notorious pirate of the Caribbean, only to discover that achieving your wildest dreams can be the cruelest disappointment of all.
The book follows Henry Morgan from his restless youth in Wales, where he dreams of adventure and glory, to his rise as a feared pirate captain terrorizing Spanish ships and settlements across the Caribbean. The young Morgan is driven by romantic visions of conquest and fame, particularly his obsession with capturing Panama City—the fabled “Cup of Gold” that represents the ultimate prize of wealth and power. But as Morgan achieves each milestone of success, from his first raids to his eventual knighthood and appointment as Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica, he finds that reality consistently falls short of his imagination. The exotic adventures he dreamed of become routine brutality, and the golden city he finally conquers proves disappointingly ordinary.
What I Liked
I think Steinbeck has accidentally ended up as one of my favorite authors. I never set out to read his body of work…but every single novel I’ve read as been incredible, well-written, and “sticks with me”.
So the overarching story of Want and Ambition that is never filled is a pretty classic plot, but I loved how this book put the plot into a very specific setting with an actual historical person who is remembered even today. It’s unique, interesting, and memorable.
I love how the language of the book reflects the setting and time. It’s florid and effusive but also very understandable.
What I Did Not Like
Nothing! It’s a lovely novel that’s worth reading. Plus – it’s in the Public Domain! So, the original text is free and available for ebook download…though Penguin Classics also has a lovely version and foreward.
Cup of Gold is an early Steinbeck novel that, even though it's not on East of Eden level, is still excellent historical fiction with a timeless plot.
