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A review by alex2teeuw
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It's a good novel. A very good novel. The prose is accessible and lucid, and the story is timeless: one which documents the real atrocities of the Great Depression and the tumultuous everyday politics of 1930s America, whist incorporating prophetic biblical references. A radical spirit permeates the novel. Unsurprising, then, that the Grapes of Wrath is admired by the working class - the marginalised are the focus, "the greedy bastards" are vilified for their crimes which are "beyond denunciation". And it is unsurprising that the novel continues to be read today as poverty persists in spite of being in a world of plenty. The accessible prose, the relatable characters, the crime, the hope, and the fears make the Grapes of Wrath loved (and loathed by those who wrongly write it off as rudimentary...).
Steinbeck did his best - as he had hoped - "to rip a reader's nerves to rags". I find it difficult to imagine anything besides. For someone like myself who had not read much leftist literature, the Grapes of Wrath helped me develop class consciousness and a consideration for those who are marginalised. Really - how could anyone who's read the Grapes of Wrath conclude that we live in a just society, a functioning society, a successful society that works for everyone? It changed me.
Also, chapters 5 and 25 are hands-down the best pages of literature ever written. They're beautifully written - analogous to Marx's capital. I feel immense sadness and simultaneous happiness when I read them. I feel the anger.
Also, also, it should not be ignored that there is quite widespread agreement that Steinbeck used (or even plagiarised) some ideas for the Grapes of Wrath from Sanora Babb's 'Whose Names Are Unknown'. It would be worth reading both novels.
Steinbeck did his best - as he had hoped - "to rip a reader's nerves to rags". I find it difficult to imagine anything besides. For someone like myself who had not read much leftist literature, the Grapes of Wrath helped me develop class consciousness and a consideration for those who are marginalised. Really - how could anyone who's read the Grapes of Wrath conclude that we live in a just society, a functioning society, a successful society that works for everyone? It changed me.
Also, chapters 5 and 25 are hands-down the best pages of literature ever written. They're beautifully written - analogous to Marx's capital. I feel immense sadness and simultaneous happiness when I read them. I feel the anger.
Also, also, it should not be ignored that there is quite widespread agreement that Steinbeck used (or even plagiarised) some ideas for the Grapes of Wrath from Sanora Babb's 'Whose Names Are Unknown'. It would be worth reading both novels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Miscarriage
Moderate: Violence, Alcohol, Death, Murder, Pregnancy, and Misogyny