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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
Seriously. Is there anyone better than Steinbeck? I'm always afraid I'll pick up something of his and it will be *meh* but it never is. The interesting part of this is that though you can find a larger story arc, it is basically short stories. However, it seems to me that this early work is sort of a workshop for later works. You can see bits of "The Wayward Bus" and "Of Mice and Men" among other things in this book. Plus, the characters and landscapes, as usual, are brilliant. Absolutely worth every word.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Turning back to read Steinbeck is always a comfort; no writer other than Stegner, in my opinion, creates stories with such brilliant language and descriptive powers, added to thoroughly realized characters and places. These 11 short stories of peoples' lives, centered physically in a valley near Salinas, are simple and classic.
A new favourite Steinbeck? Yes please. When I say masterpiece, I mean masterpiece
Steinbeck's second work mentions the title every few pages in what is an average yarn.
"Life is so unreal. I think that we seriously doubt that we exist and go about trying to prove that we do."