A review by ysabelreads
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

i read this book for secondary school when I was probably 14/15. It was my favourite book we discussed in English, making me hesitant to read it again. 2 years ago I read another Steinbeck book again for class (university this time) and enjoyed his writing again, so I read 'Grapes of Wrath' and thoroughly enjoyed. whilst on Christmas holiday this year, I decided to go back to my first Steinbeck book to see if it held up... I'm glad to say it did. Steinbeck writes so beautifully, so descriptive and so to the point. This book is 100 pages, and yet the characters are well developed, the plot moves quickly enough that you aren't bored and yet slowly enough for you to take in the characters their pasts and desires, and yet it doesn't finish with you feeling empty/needing more. Yes, there is ableism, racism and misogyny but all these things help make up the context of the story and the characters actions and thought processes. 15 year old me knew what was up, I'm so glad this book stood the test of time, I love you Steinbeck!
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