3.78 AVERAGE

slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Cuando terminé este libro no pude evitar pensar que, a pesar de los años transcurridos que, sin importar la época, los seres humanos siempre seremos nómadas por naturaleza, siempre estamos buscando emigrar hacia mejores lugares o al menos nos dejamos llevar por el sueño de que al emigrar, dejar lo conocido, nuestra casa, nuestra vida en busca de otro lugar “mejor”, siempre lo hacemos basándonos en una quimera.
Este es un libro tan triste como real, sin embargo, si bien es una historia que me ha llegado mucho, también es verdad que la manera en que Steinbeck la cuenta hace que no se haga tan dura.
La narrativa de John Steinbeck es simplemente fabulosa, sin embargo, había momentos donde se me hacía pesado gracias a sus descripciones, si bien algunas de ellas eran incluso hasta poéticas, preciosas desde el punto de vista narrativo y estiloso, no dejaron de haceseme algo pesadas.

Lo mejor del libro sin duda la narrativa, lo segundo mejor, sus personajes, que maravilla de personajes, de personalidades, de situaciones maravillosas e increíbles, que manera tan espectacular de mostrarnos la naturaleza humana a través de esta familia tan peculiar y su viaje a través de los Estados Unidos, creo que el personaje que más me ha gustado es el de la madre, sin duda, se ha llevado la escena.

Un libro que tenía muy pendiente de leer y que no me arrepiento de haberlo leído en el momento adecuado, sin duda uno de esos que hay que leer, de los indispensables.

Me he sacado una enorme espina clavada con este autor, creo que he pasado la prueba con buena calificación, he disfrutado mucho de esta lectura, sin embargo, sí que es un libro que hay que leerse despacio, tomándose el tiempo para digerirlo y saborearlo.





4.5 stars!! essential California reading, essential America reading. Devastating and anger-inducing. I loved the way it feels like multiple short stories and yet is an all encompassing saga of a journey.

“The people in flight from the terror behind—strange things happen to them, some bitterly cruel and some so beautiful that the faith is refired forever.”

Thought I was going to dread this book, but I really really didn’t

In my very small opinion, I think this book deserves every good thing ever written or spoken about it. This is an incredible book.
adventurous emotional informative sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I gained a much stronger appreciation for this book by reading it as an adult. The first time I read it, I was in college and loved it, but mostly for Steinbeck's beautiful attention to detail and musings on the interconnectivity of all people. This time around, I felt a stronger connection to the characters and their struggles. Having a more experienced and personal understanding of loss, transition, success and failure, financial stress, responsibility, and difficult decisions allowed me to see the characters not only as touch points for demonstrating the broader story of the Dust Bowl, but as complex and realistic people. I came to appreciate the character of Ma in particular- she is a fierce, exhausted woman trying to keep her family together amidst a type of change none of them have ever experienced. Tom's complexity also showed itself this time around. He is caring, intelligent, and dedicated - characteristics that were initially overshadowed by his anger and inability to control his temper. Steinbeck's interweaving of the context and the characters is extremely effective in bringing the world of the Joads to life.

The Grapes of Wrath is also incredibly timely for 2015. The drought in California, continued reliance on exploitative labor in agriculture, consolidation of farms, and corporate aggression toward the labor movement are all reflected in Steinbeck's work. Even after 75 years, The Grapes of Wrath continues to shine a light on modern struggles, and although there is much sadness, it also continues to inspire hope.
adventurous dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

I avoided this book for years and years because I'd heard it was depressing, and it is, and there are so many stories and lessons weaved into this work of historical fiction. Not my favorite, but worth the read, and it has sparked my interest in learning more about the U.S.'s Great Depression and Dust Bowl.
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes