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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I know I'm against the stream on this rating. But I want to make a point. This Americana, this memory of an event that defined multiple generations... now that those people aren't around any longer, this story just doesn't quite hold the weight that it once did. Is it important? Certainly. Is it good to know human behavior? Absolutely.
But turn your eyes to Steinbeck's shorter novels for better writing, better storylines. "The Moon is Down", "The Pearl", "To A God Unknown", "Cannery Row", "The Red Pony", and then if you need a novel, pull out "The Winter of Our Discontent." If we must weigh what we read against other items to read, then Grapes and Eden can slip down on our lists. And I believe that it will be acceptable if it does.
But turn your eyes to Steinbeck's shorter novels for better writing, better storylines. "The Moon is Down", "The Pearl", "To A God Unknown", "Cannery Row", "The Red Pony", and then if you need a novel, pull out "The Winter of Our Discontent." If we must weigh what we read against other items to read, then Grapes and Eden can slip down on our lists. And I believe that it will be acceptable if it does.
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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:
No
Excellent book. Vivid descriptions, interesting and likable characters, and an incredible journey. My first reaction at the ending was frustration at being left hanging, but when considered with the rest of the story, there was no question in my mind that it meant the Joad's would persevere and do whatever it took to press on.
The big picture themes - the Depression, oppression, discrimination, capitalism, rebellion, determination, and fear - were at once despicable and amazing. It's not hard to see why this book is an American classic.
The big picture themes - the Depression, oppression, discrimination, capitalism, rebellion, determination, and fear - were at once despicable and amazing. It's not hard to see why this book is an American classic.
The danger is here, for two men are not as lonely and perplexed as one. And from his first "we" there grows a still more dangerous thing; "I have a little food" plus "I have none". If from this problem the sum is "we have a little food", the thing is on its way, the movement has direction.
a story of loss, perseverance, determination and survival, turning I into we to survive and flourish. an 85 year old story that is still relevant today
a story of loss, perseverance, determination and survival, turning I into we to survive and flourish. an 85 year old story that is still relevant today
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book follows along a family through the Great Depression and their journey to California. This book was particularly unnerving to read because of how relatable it is to modern times. Companies pushing for H1B visas and mass applications through websites like indeed are designed to allow companies to pay and help employees as little as possible. I hope that this book serves as an awakening to students in America.
At the beginning, this book was through the eyes of the Tom, but throughout the book it slowly shifted to the perspective of Ma trying to keep the family together. The women in this era were required to do so much, and Steinbeck does a great job showing the burden that they held. Although the men could not get jobs and work, the women still were required to continue all of their jobs for the family, but with less food and help at their disposal. Steinbeck does a phenomenal job at showing the complete helplessness and pain this family goes through.
At the beginning, this book was through the eyes of the Tom, but throughout the book it slowly shifted to the perspective of Ma trying to keep the family together. The women in this era were required to do so much, and Steinbeck does a great job showing the burden that they held. Although the men could not get jobs and work, the women still were required to continue all of their jobs for the family, but with less food and help at their disposal. Steinbeck does a phenomenal job at showing the complete helplessness and pain this family goes through.
One of those books that you have to read, and hate it, and then when you get a second chance to read it you realize it's really good. I'm not the biggest Steinbeck fan - hence the 3 stars - and I can't read his books without getting really sad. But you know, there are worse things to read.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel like I've read this for ages, but I have no regrets as it was definitely a good book. This has been hailed as the Great American Novel and rightfully so because it focuses on an important period in history; The Great Depression. The characters in this book bring to life the difficulties experienced during that period which I've heard a lot about but couldn't fully contextualize.
This is very much a political book and I believe Steinbeck was a socialist going by his writing in this book. When you read what happens to the Joad family you can't help but agree with his arguments against capitalism. It's as relevant now as it was many years ago when he wrote the book.
Steinbeck writes so well about the farmers; every single detail about farming is brought out beautifully in this book. This keen eye for detail carries on throughout the book; The Dust Bowl Scene in the first chapter (I felt like I was there with the farmers in Oklahoma), The Turtle Scene (I've never thought much about turtles but I was intrigued.)
I thought the whole book was good until I got to the end. As much as I read through what other reviewers have said about the ending and what he himself said about it, I felt it was anti-climactic for such a brilliant book.
Lastly, I'll end this review with Steinbeck's words: " I've done my damnedest to rip a reader's nerves to rags, I don't want him satisfied...I tried to write this book the way lives are being lived not the way books are written...throughout I've tried to make the reader participate in the actuality, what he takes from it will be scaled entirely on his own depth or hollowness. There are five layers in this book, a reader will find as many as he can and he won't find more than he has himself."
This is very much a political book and I believe Steinbeck was a socialist going by his writing in this book. When you read what happens to the Joad family you can't help but agree with his arguments against capitalism. It's as relevant now as it was many years ago when he wrote the book.
Steinbeck writes so well about the farmers; every single detail about farming is brought out beautifully in this book. This keen eye for detail carries on throughout the book; The Dust Bowl Scene in the first chapter (I felt like I was there with the farmers in Oklahoma), The Turtle Scene (I've never thought much about turtles but I was intrigued.)
I thought the whole book was good until I got to the end. As much as I read through what other reviewers have said about the ending and what he himself said about it, I felt it was anti-climactic for such a brilliant book.
Lastly, I'll end this review with Steinbeck's words: " I've done my damnedest to rip a reader's nerves to rags, I don't want him satisfied...I tried to write this book the way lives are being lived not the way books are written...throughout I've tried to make the reader participate in the actuality, what he takes from it will be scaled entirely on his own depth or hollowness. There are five layers in this book, a reader will find as many as he can and he won't find more than he has himself."