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John Steinbeck
- Thread starter Mark4583
- Start date
blueboatdriver
Member
I read "Of Mice and Men" first, then went on to "The Grapes of Wrath" which I found to be an incredibly heart rending story of how badly and how lovingly we have treated our fellow man over history. Shocking (tear in your eye) ending.
Definately worth a read.
Definately worth a read.
Jenem
kickbox
I enjoyed "Of Mice and Men" also- though it's been a good 10 years since I read it. "East of Eden" was excellent and so was "The Pearl". My most recent Steinbeck read was "Tortilla Flat". It's an insightful short story of friendship and property. It was funny and touching.
But I guess my favorite was The Pearl. It's exciting, suspenseful and dramatic. The plot revolves around the Pearl and what it means to the main character's family after his son is bitten by a scorpion. The family lives in dire poverty but they have all they need (love) until this unfortunate event.
But I guess my favorite was The Pearl. It's exciting, suspenseful and dramatic. The plot revolves around the Pearl and what it means to the main character's family after his son is bitten by a scorpion. The family lives in dire poverty but they have all they need (love) until this unfortunate event.
I have only read East of Eden and Grapes of Wrath but the latter had me sobbing and is definately my favourite. Any book that can stir your emotions to that extent must be worth a read. I think he is a brilliant author and now that you've mentioned him I must read Of Mice... Thank you for the reminder.
mojo
New Member
nighthawk said:
There's a small section in East of Eden irrelevant to the main bulk of the story about a German in the village that gets ostracised (sp?) by the rest of the town due to the start of the second world war that made me cry my eyes out. If Grapes of Wrath is more powerful than East of Eden, then I should definately give it another go by the sounds of it....
i've read of mice, east of eden and grapes of wrath. my favourite part of the grapes of wrath is the very end scene with rosasharn and the starving man. it seemed so shocking and so moving. it stays with me still.
one of my favourite bits of writing is the dedication he wrote in one of his books, i'm unsure who it was for and i believe it was in east of eden.
"you came upon me carving some kind of little figure out of wood and you said 'why don't you make something for me?'
i asked you what you wanted and you said 'a box.'
'what for?'
'to put things in.'
'what things?'
'whatever you have.' you said.
well here is your box. nearly everything i have is in it, and it is not full. pain and excitement are in it, and feeling good or bad and evil thoughts and good thoughts- the pleasure of design and some despair and the indescribable joy of creation. and on top of these are all the gratitude and love i have for you.
and still the box is not full."
one of my favourite bits of writing is the dedication he wrote in one of his books, i'm unsure who it was for and i believe it was in east of eden.
"you came upon me carving some kind of little figure out of wood and you said 'why don't you make something for me?'
i asked you what you wanted and you said 'a box.'
'what for?'
'to put things in.'
'what things?'
'whatever you have.' you said.
well here is your box. nearly everything i have is in it, and it is not full. pain and excitement are in it, and feeling good or bad and evil thoughts and good thoughts- the pleasure of design and some despair and the indescribable joy of creation. and on top of these are all the gratitude and love i have for you.
and still the box is not full."
It was in "East of Eden". I have read the dedication, but I never got as far as to actually reading the book.
My first book by John Steinbeck, was also "Of Mice and Men", and I simply loved it. I'm reading "The Grapes of Wrath" at the moment, and after that one, I think I'll go for "East of Eden". My sister has read it, and she talked about it for days, so I'm pretty sure it's a good one.
My first book by John Steinbeck, was also "Of Mice and Men", and I simply loved it. I'm reading "The Grapes of Wrath" at the moment, and after that one, I think I'll go for "East of Eden". My sister has read it, and she talked about it for days, so I'm pretty sure it's a good one.
East of Eden is superb - if you haven't read it, I'm jealous of the treat you've got in store.
I just finished reading Cannery Row this morning: it's very different from his 'big' books, full of well-drawn characters (of course) and, whilst quite poignant, laugh-out-loud funny in parts.
Early night tonight so I can get stuck into Sweet Tuesday, which features several of the same characters.
Edited to add: Thursday! Sweet Thursday!
I just finished reading Cannery Row this morning: it's very different from his 'big' books, full of well-drawn characters (of course) and, whilst quite poignant, laugh-out-loud funny in parts.
Early night tonight so I can get stuck into Sweet Tuesday, which features several of the same characters.
Edited to add: Thursday! Sweet Thursday!
Infinity
New Member
I haven't read many works written by John Steinbeck. I only finished The Grapes of Wrath for my English class. I'd say it's really touching, especially at the end where Rose of Sharon lets the stranger drink her milk. I'd also say it's my most favourite Steinbeck book so far.
froggerz40
New Member
My favorite by Mr. Steinbeck was "Cannery Row". If you read it looking for a plot, you`ll be disappointed. The magic is in the writing, and the unique (and very realistic...) characters. The character of "Doc" was based on Steinbeck`s good friend, Ed Ricketts, who must be one of the coolest guys I`ve ever heard of. "The Log from the Sea of Cortez" has a prologue which is a very beautiful epitaph for Mr. Ricketts, and in my 'umble opinion the best part of the book! Most people either strongly like, or dislike, Cannery Row. I think it shows that simple themes can be some of the most memorable.