A review by nate_reads
The Pastures of Heaven by John Steinbeck

3.0

I am not a big Steinbeck fan. I picked this up mainly because it was a collection of short stories. I found myself drawn into each story. The stories were about families, but they were also about this valley, this land called the "Pastures of Heaven". Some stories I liked more than others but as a book overall I will say it is one of the better John Steinbeck books I've read. He still isn't one of my favorite authors, but you cannot deny his ability to immerse you into the story and setting. I am from a small town, and I found these tales very relatable and in some cases I am even guilty of them. On top of that this story reminded me a lot Of Mice and Men because no matter how these families or men tried to control their lives or be the masters of their own fates it was not meant to be. I also liked the idea that this valley is described as heaven, but earthly paradise is fleeting over time and is not achievable in the way we expect no matter how much planning goes into it.