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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
There is a reason that this book is considered part of the American canon. I will probably never forget its most shocking moments, nor the quiet courage of its unlucky protagonists. It captures its time in a way that few books do, from the point of view of average people caught up in extraordinary circumstances.
That said, it's not necessarily something you need to read twice. Once you get the message, you get it. You carry it with you forever, but you don't have to return to the book again to wring more out of it. The message is profound in its simplicity, but not complex.
The only reason I might re-read it is to study the iconic characters in relation to others like them. Or unlike them. Characters of everyday, working-class status are rare in fiction, so if you want to learn more about how they have been portrayed (or ignored), this can be an essential book to consult.
That said, it's not necessarily something you need to read twice. Once you get the message, you get it. You carry it with you forever, but you don't have to return to the book again to wring more out of it. The message is profound in its simplicity, but not complex.
The only reason I might re-read it is to study the iconic characters in relation to others like them. Or unlike them. Characters of everyday, working-class status are rare in fiction, so if you want to learn more about how they have been portrayed (or ignored), this can be an essential book to consult.
This book parallels our current time in uncanny ways, and, despite the tragic circumstances, personifies hope to such a great degree. Beautiful.
challenging
sad
tense
slow-paced
Funnily enough, I’m dreading writing this review. And that is because this book was so so good I know I can never do it justice. The Grapes of Wrath is now probably my favourite book. Need I say more?
There are lots of things which made this book so masterful, but for me, the main thing was the Joads. I loved each and every one of them, admired them intensely, wanted desperately for them to succeed. There were times I couldn’t sleep at night worrying about them, and I genuinely shed tears whilst reading certain parts.
Steinbeck is such a brilliant writer, I have so much admiration for him. His characterisation of the Joads and everybody they encounter is so superb - you can’t help falling in love with every single one of them. His prose is also so beautiful, and the chapters where he focuses on the wider migrants and not the Joads are heartbreakingly beautiful. He really conveyed the hardship and the struggle of these upstanding people who had done nothing to deserve such treatment. You are angry, indignant and horrified on their behalf.
The pride and dignity of these people inspired me with awe. The bravery of Ma and Sairy especially, but everyone else too. The goodness of these people who are willing to share their very last meal with total strangers, are willing to give away their last. And then, in horrific contrast, the way they are treated by the native Californians, the deputies and the sheriffs. Steinbeck makes your heart bleed one page, and smoulder with anger the next.
Although this book is undeniably sad, it touched me so much to see this innate goodness that lives in some people, and that, no matter how desperate they become and how badly they are treated, nothing can take it away. I aspire to have one ounce of the Joads’ goodness, one ounce of their bravery and dignity.
This book has changed my outlook on life, my view of politics, and my perception of the human race. I would beg anyone to read this, and have their heart broken into pieces like mine is. It will change your life.
There are lots of things which made this book so masterful, but for me, the main thing was the Joads. I loved each and every one of them, admired them intensely, wanted desperately for them to succeed. There were times I couldn’t sleep at night worrying about them, and I genuinely shed tears whilst reading certain parts.
Steinbeck is such a brilliant writer, I have so much admiration for him. His characterisation of the Joads and everybody they encounter is so superb - you can’t help falling in love with every single one of them. His prose is also so beautiful, and the chapters where he focuses on the wider migrants and not the Joads are heartbreakingly beautiful. He really conveyed the hardship and the struggle of these upstanding people who had done nothing to deserve such treatment. You are angry, indignant and horrified on their behalf.
The pride and dignity of these people inspired me with awe. The bravery of Ma and Sairy especially, but everyone else too. The goodness of these people who are willing to share their very last meal with total strangers, are willing to give away their last. And then, in horrific contrast, the way they are treated by the native Californians, the deputies and the sheriffs. Steinbeck makes your heart bleed one page, and smoulder with anger the next.
Although this book is undeniably sad, it touched me so much to see this innate goodness that lives in some people, and that, no matter how desperate they become and how badly they are treated, nothing can take it away. I aspire to have one ounce of the Joads’ goodness, one ounce of their bravery and dignity.
This book has changed my outlook on life, my view of politics, and my perception of the human race. I would beg anyone to read this, and have their heart broken into pieces like mine is. It will change your life.
Steinbeck produced such amazing imagery - a master of words.
After stopping in chapter 3 when assigned to read “The Grapes of Wrath” in high school, I decided it was time to give it another shot, particularly since “East of Eden” is my favorite novel of all time. Far bleaker than “EoE” and without the same personal punch at the end, “TGoW” still carries weight with its direct assault on big business and hatred towards the poor and the migrant, but outside of Ma, I didn’t find myself really pulling for any of the characters even in their dire circumstances.
★ buddy read with sophia (wouldn't have been able to finish this book w/o her)
First off, no one can deny the sociopolitical significance of this book, so it's hard to rate it on the same scale as the books I'd read for entertainment because that's just not its purpose. As a novel, it was slow and uninteresting for the large part. But as far as its message goes, there was a lot of interesting things I noticed.
What I liked:
→ The intercalary chapters: I learned this term from this book. Between the main chapters narrating the story of the Joad family, there were intercalary chapters where the narrative shifts focus and Steinbeck's voice is more closely heard. He essentially preaches his message about capitalist exploitation and worker mistreatment in post-WW2 America. I loved loved loveddd these chapters! Steinbeck had a lot of interesting points, like the one chapter where he talks about how no matter how poor the people were, they would pitch in funds to help bury a stillborn, highlighting the callous nature of the rich who hoard their money as well as the sense of community that protected the poor communities.
→ The characterization: Every character was fleshed out and had their individual nuances. From Ma to Casy to even the little children Ruthie and Winfield. It gave a unique introspection into the different facets of the migrant experience. I especially loved Tom's perspective as he struggled between protecting his family and fighting for his ideals.
What I didn't like:
→ The language: Every sentence of the novel aims to mimic the country accent of southern migrants. However, as someone who actually lives in the South, I felt that this was very excessive and not at all natural. Considering that Steinbeck himself spent most of his early life between California and New York City and thus likely had little interaction with actual southerners, this aspect of the novel made me a bit uncomfortable.
→ The sexualization: The descriptions of Rosasharn in particular made me very uncomfortable because it sexualized her pregnant body and overall felt a bit perverted. The ending of the novel, where Rosasharn allows a dying man to drink her breast milk straight from her and HER MOTHER SUPPORTING THAT ACTION?? I was shocked baffled bamboozled at this. But of course, there's a larger significance to consider as it allowed Rosasharn to recover from the loss of her baby and signaled the lengths individuals are willing to go to in times of desperation. But srsly, was there no other way to convey this??
All in all, I think this book transformed my perspective a little, even if it was largely uninteresting. Also special thanks to sophia (I contemplated dropping this book wayyy too many times lmao)
First off, no one can deny the sociopolitical significance of this book, so it's hard to rate it on the same scale as the books I'd read for entertainment because that's just not its purpose. As a novel, it was slow and uninteresting for the large part. But as far as its message goes, there was a lot of interesting things I noticed.
What I liked:
→ The intercalary chapters: I learned this term from this book. Between the main chapters narrating the story of the Joad family, there were intercalary chapters where the narrative shifts focus and Steinbeck's voice is more closely heard. He essentially preaches his message about capitalist exploitation and worker mistreatment in post-WW2 America. I loved loved loveddd these chapters! Steinbeck had a lot of interesting points, like the one chapter where he talks about how no matter how poor the people were, they would pitch in funds to help bury a stillborn, highlighting the callous nature of the rich who hoard their money as well as the sense of community that protected the poor communities.
→ The characterization: Every character was fleshed out and had their individual nuances. From Ma to Casy to even the little children Ruthie and Winfield. It gave a unique introspection into the different facets of the migrant experience. I especially loved Tom's perspective as he struggled between protecting his family and fighting for his ideals.
What I didn't like:
→ The language: Every sentence of the novel aims to mimic the country accent of southern migrants. However, as someone who actually lives in the South, I felt that this was very excessive and not at all natural. Considering that Steinbeck himself spent most of his early life between California and New York City and thus likely had little interaction with actual southerners, this aspect of the novel made me a bit uncomfortable.
→ The sexualization: The descriptions of Rosasharn in particular made me very uncomfortable because it sexualized her pregnant body and overall felt a bit perverted. The ending of the novel, where Rosasharn allows a dying man to drink her breast milk straight from her and HER MOTHER SUPPORTING THAT ACTION?? I was shocked baffled bamboozled at this. But of course, there's a larger significance to consider as it allowed Rosasharn to recover from the loss of her baby and signaled the lengths individuals are willing to go to in times of desperation. But srsly, was there no other way to convey this??
All in all, I think this book transformed my perspective a little, even if it was largely uninteresting. Also special thanks to sophia (I contemplated dropping this book wayyy too many times lmao)
dark
reflective
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