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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
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:
Complicated
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.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Nothing I can say here that hasn't already been said. I'm glad I read this now and not in high school, because the themes of class solidarity and human grit really hit me hard. We need solid unions so workers can't be exploited like this ever again - it's something I knew already, but this book artfully drives it home. The sheer desparation and starvation and lack of solid shelter for these folks was a chapter of our history I didn't know much about.
Beautiful writing from Steinbeck, of course - the structure of long narrative chapter vs. short zoomed-out setting/theme building chapter was pretty cool! And Tom Joad is the goat. that is all.
Beautiful writing from Steinbeck, of course - the structure of long narrative chapter vs. short zoomed-out setting/theme building chapter was pretty cool! And Tom Joad is the goat. that is all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Police brutality, Grief, Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy
My grandparents fled from Oklahoma around the same time as this is set. I learned so much about them and their reality through this story. I will always be grateful for the insight I gained from reading Grapes of Wrath. If it weren’t for the last page of this book I would have rated it 5 stars. Worst. Ending. Ever.
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced