A review by read_n_wright
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

5.0

I've heard the title of this book many many times and knew it to be a classic. I also had no idea what it was about but downloaded it to listen to on my commute to work.

The book is short, but impactful. dream vs reality.

there are so many dreams in this book

lenny with his rabbits and his farm, candy and his land and his sense of purpose, curlys wife and her desire for attention, praise and stardom, etc. but all of these dreams are undercut by a cold and unforgiving reality.

somehow the author set the tone that none of these dreams would ever come to fruition. I hoped for it for them, because I empathised with the characters, loved them and wanted their lot to improve but knew deep down it wouldn't.

lenny was just a big, lumbering, misunderstood sweetheart and George his weary keeper. they're the duo you root for but their story could not last and their ending was foreshadowed by the euthanization of candy's shepherd dog.

this book explores the use of hope as a means of perseverance,delusion, dissappointment, hopelessness and death.

I like to think of it as everyone being stuck down a deep hole and no matter how much they struggle and strive, they just can't climb their way out.