Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
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:
Complicated
Oh boy this is a challenge. I never read Grapes of Wrath in school however I did read other Steinbeck novels and enjoyed the story and the writing. I also remember my high school American Literature teacher telling the class we would have a greater appreciation for GoW when we were older…
And I do. Especially in today’s political climate, the parallels between the migrant workers of today as well as the past are exceedingly relevant. As corporations take over and set prices setting record profits while refusing to invest in their own workers because there is always someone else to take over a position, and those who survive on nearly nothing will gladly share what they have as they know the hardships of just trying to make it one more day… it would easily be 5 stars for me for the impact and importance of the novel.
However it takes a lot of effort to get through. Which you would think there would be some sort of satisfaction from the ending after slogging through it all, and yet, we get “rely on the kindness of strangers in a bizarre twist of fate. The End” kind of thing.Honestly, I would have been more satisfied if the rest of the Joad family drowned in the flooding. It would have at least kept up that there is no possibility of a happy ending. So I’m in the 3ish star range of the pacing, storyline, and characters (Ruthie and Rose of Sharon especially).
And I do. Especially in today’s political climate, the parallels between the migrant workers of today as well as the past are exceedingly relevant. As corporations take over and set prices setting record profits while refusing to invest in their own workers because there is always someone else to take over a position, and those who survive on nearly nothing will gladly share what they have as they know the hardships of just trying to make it one more day… it would easily be 5 stars for me for the impact and importance of the novel.
However it takes a lot of effort to get through. Which you would think there would be some sort of satisfaction from the ending after slogging through it all, and yet, we get “rely on the kindness of strangers in a bizarre twist of fate. The End” kind of thing.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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've always loved Steinbeck. When I was a young teen I read Of Mice and Men and then everything I could get my hands on except, for some strange reason this, his most famous novel. I suppose some would say East of Eden was his best or even Of Mice and Men but there is a reason this is one of the great novels of 20th century American literature. I'm no critic so I can only suggest you read it and see what you think. I want to go back and read all his stuff again now. He was a quick addiction for me and obviously still is. I personally think I would pick East of Eden as my favorite but it's been years since I read it. I'm starting In Dubious Battle soon and then Cannery Row which I know will make it impossible to not go back and read Sweet Thursday. I found Grapes of Wrath a powerful book. It seems Steinbeck was not just an author I happened to like at a young age. His books evoke a strong emotional response in me like no other author. You'd have to be pretty cold and unfeeling to not be moved by The Grapes of Wrath.