A controversial tale of friendship and tragedy during the Great Depression
Over seventy-five years since its first publication, Steinbeck’s tale of commitment, loneliness, hope, and loss remains one of America’s most widely read and taught novels. An unlikely pair, George and Lennie, two migrant workers in California during the Great Depression, grasp for their American Dream. They hustle work when they can, living a hand-to-mouth existence. For George and Lennie have a plan: to own an acre of land and a shack they can call their own. When they land jobs on a ranch in the Salinas Valley, the fulfillment of their dream seems to be within their grasp. But even George cannot guard Lennie from the provocations, nor predict the consequences of Lennie’s unswerving obedience to the things George taught him.
Of Mice and Men represents an experiment in form, which Steinbeck described as “a kind of playable novel, …
A controversial tale of friendship and tragedy during the Great Depression
Over seventy-five years since its first publication, Steinbeck’s tale of commitment, loneliness, hope, and loss remains one of America’s most widely read and taught novels. An unlikely pair, George and Lennie, two migrant workers in California during the Great Depression, grasp for their American Dream. They hustle work when they can, living a hand-to-mouth existence. For George and Lennie have a plan: to own an acre of land and a shack they can call their own. When they land jobs on a ranch in the Salinas Valley, the fulfillment of their dream seems to be within their grasp. But even George cannot guard Lennie from the provocations, nor predict the consequences of Lennie’s unswerving obedience to the things George taught him.
Of Mice and Men represents an experiment in form, which Steinbeck described as “a kind of playable novel, written in a novel form but so scened and set that it can be played as it stands.” A rarity in American letters, it achieved remarkable success as a novel, a Broadway play, and three acclaimed films. This edition features an introduction by Susan Shillinglaw, one of today’s leading Steinbeck scholars.
The famous Mark Twain quote "I didn't have time to write you a short letter, so I wrote you a long one" is now considered to be a misattribution, that Twain never said.
Nonetheless, whoever did say it - this book made me think of it. Truly it takes skill, craft, and artistry to write well and also be succinct.
This book feels perfect not because there's nothing else to add, but because there's nothing else to take away.
This book captured my imagination in 120 pages. And now it will stay with me for a while.
Yet anther example of a book off the 1001 list that I probably would not have gotten to otherwise. That's not to say it shouldn't be a classic, or that it isn't really well written. It was just too straight forward depressing. There wasn't a whole lot of things to remember, or a lot of world building details to gawk at.
Of Mice and Men is a story about two fairly average guys, in a pretty nondescript setting, slowly being ground down by life as life is apt to do. So despite the fact that this simplicity makes the book that much more powerful and timeless, it just wasn't an engaging read for me.
I am glad I read it though, and I think my life will probably be richer for it. Not only because it gets referenced all the time, but also because it strikes me as being one …
Yet anther example of a book off the 1001 list that I probably would not have gotten to otherwise. That's not to say it shouldn't be a classic, or that it isn't really well written. It was just too straight forward depressing. There wasn't a whole lot of things to remember, or a lot of world building details to gawk at.
Of Mice and Men is a story about two fairly average guys, in a pretty nondescript setting, slowly being ground down by life as life is apt to do. So despite the fact that this simplicity makes the book that much more powerful and timeless, it just wasn't an engaging read for me.
I am glad I read it though, and I think my life will probably be richer for it. Not only because it gets referenced all the time, but also because it strikes me as being one of those stories that becomes more meaningful the longer you have to think about it. Even now, barely 24 hours after I finished it, I am enjoying having read that story more now then I did initially.
This book is going straight back on my reread pile.
During the great depression, George and Lennie roam over California looking for odd jobs. They have a dream of buying some land and live there together, and that dream keeps them going. George is smart and cares for Lennie that is very strong, but witless. They find a new job and a new partner, and as their dream begin to takes off, it comes crashing down in a horrible way.
To me, the main theme of this story is loneliness and it is no coincidence that they are in a place called "Soledad". Each character is lonely and in need of companionship, and each reacts to it in a different but coherent way. Lennie and George are different, they act like brothers and people around them want to share that feeling of having someone. Unfortunately, it is the close bond between George and Lennie that drives them apart and turns …
During the great depression, George and Lennie roam over California looking for odd jobs. They have a dream of buying some land and live there together, and that dream keeps them going. George is smart and cares for Lennie that is very strong, but witless. They find a new job and a new partner, and as their dream begin to takes off, it comes crashing down in a horrible way.
To me, the main theme of this story is loneliness and it is no coincidence that they are in a place called "Soledad". Each character is lonely and in need of companionship, and each reacts to it in a different but coherent way. Lennie and George are different, they act like brothers and people around them want to share that feeling of having someone. Unfortunately, it is the close bond between George and Lennie that drives them apart and turns their plans to dust.
