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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
One of my favorites of all time. So glad I was forced to read it!
If I were not forced to dissect every single detail of this book, I might have liked it a bit more. However, I am biased against the underlying theme of the novel. Yes, unions were very necessary during the Industrial Revolution, but they are obsolete now. The overall message of "The Grapes of Wrath" (as my liberal English teacher was so apt to point out) is that big businesses are corrupt and that they starve normal, hard-working, deserving families out of a job and out of life. In this novel, Capitalism is the enemy of the American people and those "saints" who would move more toward Socialism are "wrongfully persecuted".
But now I shall step off my soapbox and talk about the few redeeming factors of this book. First of all, while some readers might beckme confused by the intercalary chapters, I myself rather enjoyed them. I'd never read a book that went from telling about a specific family to describing situations that apply to everyone. For example, the infamous "turtle" chapter. And if you wanted to really read into it and decipher what everything symbolizes, as I was made to do, you can. But if that doesn't appeal to you, this book is still worth a read, even if only to say that you made it through this American classic.
But now I shall step off my soapbox and talk about the few redeeming factors of this book. First of all, while some readers might beckme confused by the intercalary chapters, I myself rather enjoyed them. I'd never read a book that went from telling about a specific family to describing situations that apply to everyone. For example, the infamous "turtle" chapter. And if you wanted to really read into it and decipher what everything symbolizes, as I was made to do, you can. But if that doesn't appeal to you, this book is still worth a read, even if only to say that you made it through this American classic.
I love John Steinbeck for his humor, but apparently he can excel even without it. The Grapes of Wrath really pulls on your heart strings and makes you despair for the injustice of the world. I know this story will haunt me for a long time to come and I can't believe I didn't know about the aftermath of the Dust Bowl before. No one has taught me as much about America as Steinbeck has.
Everybody should read this book. It was powerful to understand how it is to be a migrant worker and that it still relates to today's economic situation.
In high school, I was that douchebag that proudly handed this book back to the teacher without ever having actually opened it. Honestly, I'm kind of glad I did because I wouldn't have appreciated it nearly as much at 16 as I did at 35. It's also more timely than it would've been in 2000.
I was worried that I was going to be beaten over the head with symbolism because of everything I'd heard about this book. Fortunately, it wasn't nearly as heavy-handed as a lot of people make it out to be. For me, the weakest part of the book was the dialog. There were stretches that were damn near unreadable and made me wonder if Steinbeck had ever actually conversed with anyone in his life. Luckily, the story and imagery are strong enough that it's easy to get past that.
I'm not sure if I'd recommend this book to someone who read it back in high school, but if you haven't, I'd say it's pretty much essential.
I was worried that I was going to be beaten over the head with symbolism because of everything I'd heard about this book. Fortunately, it wasn't nearly as heavy-handed as a lot of people make it out to be. For me, the weakest part of the book was the dialog. There were stretches that were damn near unreadable and made me wonder if Steinbeck had ever actually conversed with anyone in his life. Luckily, the story and imagery are strong enough that it's easy to get past that.
I'm not sure if I'd recommend this book to someone who read it back in high school, but if you haven't, I'd say it's pretty much essential.
I never read this classic…not in high school and not in college. It has so much personal meaning to me as my mom was born in the 1920’s in Sallisaw, Ok. She was most definitely a product of the Great Depression and the dust bowl was during her childhood. Also, we joke that all of my family either lived in Oklahoma or California and there was a lot of travel to both….and it has always fascinated me! The story focuses on the Joad family and their travels and tribulations as they leave Sallisaw and travel to California in search of work. I know some make biblical references to the Joad family and link them to biblical meaning…but not being a theologian, I didn’t make those connections. Great book, strange ending. I enjoyed learning more about the time period throughout the story! Also loved the references to my fabled relative Pretty Boy Floyd!
You gotta love Steinbeck - I usually hate his books until I finish them, reflect and realize his brilliance.
One of the best books I’ve ever read. It is gut-wrenching yet hopeful, a poignant and honest evaluation of the human condition, and our ability to always maintain dignity and hope in the worst of despairs. A must-read for everyone!