Author Summary: John Steinbeck
I somehow avoided anything by Steinbeck before I was an adult, barring only the the novella The Pearl, which I'm confident I read in junior high English. After that I don't remember reading anything until after I made my classic books resolution. Since then I've read seven novels, one short story collection, one travelogue and one collection of war correspondence and along the way Steinbeck became of one my favorites.
John Steinbeck
I think I like Steinbeck because he has such affection for the common man and has a clear view of right and wrong. His tacit sympathy for the unions and the working man won him FBI attention as a Communist sympathizer.
Start Here
- The Moon is Down - When I read this back in 2012 I said that "it's merely the best novelization of a resistance movement that anyone has ever written. It's short, to the point and I highly recommend it." I stand by this opinion today.
- The Grapes of Wrath - Don't be afraid of its lofty reputation, it really is quite good. (read 2016)
- East of Eden - M lent this to me early in our relationship. We both think it's his best novel of the ones we've read, and one of several focusing on characters in Salinas Valley.
If You Like Those
- In Dubious Battle - Written prior to The Grapes of Wrath, this book is essentially the union activity from the later book powerfully fleshed out.
- Cannery Row (read 2012), The Pastures of Heaven (read 2014) and Tortilla Flat (read 2019) all are a series of short episodes about characters living in Steinbeck's home turf of the Salinas Valley. The Pastures of Heaven is officially a short story collection, while the other two are technically novels that function more as short stories.
For Completists
- Of Mice and Men - I don't actually care too terribly much for this novel. It's short, and I get why it's famous, but it didn't do much for me. (read 2009)
- Travels with Charley - Also quite famous, but I felt that some of the connections were a little forced and that it wasn't as good as the novels. (read 2009).
- Once There Was a War - Steinbeck was a WWII correspondent in Europe for much of 1943. This collection of columns focuses on the experiences of men in the war and doesn't pay much attention to the larger strategic picture, or even tactical considerations beyond what is right in front of the men. Excellent if you like that sort of thing, but it's no Jack Belden or Ernie Pyle (nor would he have claimed to be). (read 2018)
What I Haven't Read Yet
I haven't read three novellas, one short story collection and seven novels. Reputedly some of his early stuff isn't great, but for now I see no reason not to read them all.
Probably Won't
I'd put Steinbeck in the "I want to read everything" bucket originally. Upon further review, I probably won't bother with the screenplays, and I'm not the type to read collections of letters. Of his travel books, only The Log from the Sea of Cortez strongly interest mes, plus another piece of war correspondence about a bomber wing.
John Steinbeck
I think I like Steinbeck because he has such affection for the common man and has a clear view of right and wrong. His tacit sympathy for the unions and the working man won him FBI attention as a Communist sympathizer.
Start Here
- The Moon is Down - When I read this back in 2012 I said that "it's merely the best novelization of a resistance movement that anyone has ever written. It's short, to the point and I highly recommend it." I stand by this opinion today.
- The Grapes of Wrath - Don't be afraid of its lofty reputation, it really is quite good. (read 2016)
- East of Eden - M lent this to me early in our relationship. We both think it's his best novel of the ones we've read, and one of several focusing on characters in Salinas Valley.
If You Like Those
- In Dubious Battle - Written prior to The Grapes of Wrath, this book is essentially the union activity from the later book powerfully fleshed out.
- Cannery Row (read 2012), The Pastures of Heaven (read 2014) and Tortilla Flat (read 2019) all are a series of short episodes about characters living in Steinbeck's home turf of the Salinas Valley. The Pastures of Heaven is officially a short story collection, while the other two are technically novels that function more as short stories.
For Completists
- Of Mice and Men - I don't actually care too terribly much for this novel. It's short, and I get why it's famous, but it didn't do much for me. (read 2009)
- Travels with Charley - Also quite famous, but I felt that some of the connections were a little forced and that it wasn't as good as the novels. (read 2009).
- Once There Was a War - Steinbeck was a WWII correspondent in Europe for much of 1943. This collection of columns focuses on the experiences of men in the war and doesn't pay much attention to the larger strategic picture, or even tactical considerations beyond what is right in front of the men. Excellent if you like that sort of thing, but it's no Jack Belden or Ernie Pyle (nor would he have claimed to be). (read 2018)
What I Haven't Read Yet
I haven't read three novellas, one short story collection and seven novels. Reputedly some of his early stuff isn't great, but for now I see no reason not to read them all.
Probably Won't
I'd put Steinbeck in the "I want to read everything" bucket originally. Upon further review, I probably won't bother with the screenplays, and I'm not the type to read collections of letters. Of his travel books, only The Log from the Sea of Cortez strongly interest mes, plus another piece of war correspondence about a bomber wing.