Reviews

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

libraryian's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

wathav's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I keep rereading this. This is why I fell in love with Steinbeck. 

mcloonejack's review against another edition

5.0

First off, this book is probably wasted on the vast majority of high schoolers forced to read it, both because of its slower bits and some of the messages I think resonate better when you’re a touch older.

But if you’re one of those kids who hated it in high school, give it another shot. This is one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read.

The story of the Joads is never comfortable nor is it ever particularly joyful, but that’s the story of the working man, then and now. Sure, we can dress things up and dream for better. But when the ruling class conspires against you, hates you and beats you for daring to want better, weaponizes natural disasters against you, what are you to do?

But if you dig enough, it’s also a hopeful story. A recurrent theme is how the person most likely to help a poor person is another poor person who has almost nothing left to give. Right down to the very final scene with Rose of Sharon. And in that way, it echoes another constant refrain, that the reason why the wealthy are afraid of the poor is because they know if they’re able to organize, they actually have the power.

America is a fucked up place, and capitalism is a fucked up system. This book pulls no punches, but it’s beautiful nonetheless. If you have the barest inkling of class consciousness, you have to read it.

wondarlice's review against another edition

5.0

amazing !! i loved the character's descriptions, the way the crops, banks, nature, living and dead things were described with the same words, because in this tragedy, banks are alive and threatening, and crops are barren. I loved how the ideas of ownership, private property, friendship, persistence, and hope are portrayed throughout this book, carried by a gorgeous writing, humour, and kind-hearted people.
However, I hope to god there is a symbolism or smtg in the last page that I did not get 'cause otherwise ew.

hannahthenugget's review against another edition

slow-paced

• 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? It's complicated

3.5

johanmirfin's review against another edition

challenging sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

I made the mistake of reading East of Eden before this book and it just felt light by comparison.

It did however imbue me with an even stronger hatred of capitalism.

trhodg's review against another edition

4.0

The Grapes of Wrath criticizes many things, but most saliently, it criticizes capitalism and greed. The characterization isn’t as good as the other Steinbeck novels I have read. I’m really glad I powered through the slow narrative because the social commentary is radical and strong, and the story—though slow—is well-constructed. And that ending is strikingly memorable.

kayymwil's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

maxprovo's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

ryanm2's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0