Scan barcode
gabriella_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Let me start with the problems.
I have some critiques. First - I felt like it didn’t capture the breadth of displaced Americans for the time. Second - It was very white-centric and seemed to buy into Manifest Destiny shit. I take major issue with both of these. These are my narrative issues
Clearly not as pressing but the pacing at point was inconsistent and dragged on. But I know at points that was the point.
Now the pros.
I really loved the way Ma and Tom were characterized throughout. The family relations at points felt complex. There were really moving moments throughout, and great commentary that’s still relevant now.
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Miscarriage, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Abandonment, Animal death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Ableism, Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Grief, Gun violence, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, and Terminal illness
gewrgia_lightwood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Beautiful writing, brilliant story. Touching, hard, raw.
It deals with a very real problem, a problem as relevant now as ever. The consequences of capitalism, of greed, of money as a ruler are spread thought out this book.
If there is one thing to take away from this book is that solidarity and kindness will always be the weapon of the people. It’s at the darkest times, the people come closer, the people speak up, the people rise up.
Μόνο ο λαός σώζει τον λαό.
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Violence, Murder, Death of parent, and Child death
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Police brutality, Miscarriage, Animal death, Xenophobia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Sexism, Grief, Misogyny, and Colonisation
larseneiii's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Sexism, Classism, Grief, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, and Police brutality
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, Colonisation, Alcoholism, Abandonment, and Cursing
Minor: Confinement, Genocide, Slavery, Self harm, Religious bigotry, Ableism, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
thecriticalreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
The Grapes of Wrath contains several instances of sexism and racism (including the occasional use of the n-word). The racism is restricted to a handful of off-hand remarks made by the characters, while the sexism shows up more frequently. However, these instances serve mainly to accurately reflect the attitudes of the people it follows, and I personally did not get the feeling that the author was championing such views. The story itself contains several strong, capable, well-written female characters and the book’s overall message champions human dignity. However, every reader will have their own interpretation of these aspects of the book, and it is important to keep in mind if you are sensitive to these topics in literature.
Graphic: Deportation, Death of parent, Confinement, Classism, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Police brutality, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Grief, Racial slurs, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Abandonment, Misogyny, Alcohol, Murder, and Sexism
Minor: Bullying, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, and Forced institutionalization
bakunzi1990's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Alcohol, Child death, Murder, Toxic relationship, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Police brutality, and Miscarriage
thatokiebird's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
For the most part, I didn't particularly like any of the characters in the book. They're all flawed and make poor decisions, and interact with each other in ways where you feel a bit bad for the opposite character. And yet, these facts didn't take away from the book like I would expect. It made it almost more believable in a way. Because you don't necessarily have to like a person to empathize with their situation and hope for a better outcome for them.
Reading The Grapes of Wrath was actually a bit of a relief for me - I haven't liked the majority of the classic novels I've read in the last year and I was beginning to fear I simply don't like that genre any more. But I did enjoy this one, and will certainly continue reading John Steinbeck's other books.
Moderate: Pregnancy, Grief, Death, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Child death, Murder, and Miscarriage
lowkeymarie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death and Child death
Moderate: Police brutality, Pregnancy, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Racial slurs, and Classism
giuliana_ferrari's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Police brutality, Grief, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, and Child death