John Steinbeck, Writer

by Jackson J. Benson

A definitive portrait of the celebrated and controversial Nobel laureate author chronicles the events of Steinbeck's life, his formative development as a writer, and his archetypical literary images of modern American culture

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Biography Memoir, American, Writing, Literature

1116 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Jackson J. Benson taught American Literature at San Diego State University. His biography, The True Adventures of John Steinbeck, Writer, won the PEN USA West award for nonfiction.

Reviews

[Michael Perkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I respected (Uncle) John Steinbeck for never jumping through all the hoops at Stanford, even if he kept going back and letting people like Wallace Stegner tell him what The Great American Novel ought to be. Uncle John could write rings around any of them."

-Ursula Le Guin

[Bill Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up with a view of the poor shaped by John Steinbeck. Somewhere in the three decades that I have focused on poverty I parted ways with ideas such as the assumed nobility of the poor and the assumed evil of the wealthy. And I became intrigued with the life and mind of John Steinbeck - a truly great writer. On my visit to his museum in Salinas I picked up the book and ate it in measured bites over the following year. It is definitive and insightful. A must for all devotees of the author.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to read biographies of authors I admire. Usually I read the author's novels first and then the biography but in this case I read the biography of John Steinbeck as I read the novels. It worked out well because Jackson Benson wrote about Steinbeck's writing of each book and what was going on in his life as he wrote. I found it reassuring to learn about the agonies he went through as he wrote, the self doubt, the difficulty in settling down to write. I have similar problems, the difference being that he finished and published many novels.

Because of My Big Fat Reading Project, I started reading Steinbeck in 2003 with The Grapes of Wrath which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1940. I've been reading this life of Steinbeck for 10 years! Of course since the man lived for 66 years, I read it in one-sixth of the time it took him to live his life.

The original title of the 1984 hardcover Viking edition was The True Adventures of John Steinbeck, Writer. It makes him sound like a cartoon superhero. In fact, though he was not looking for fame or fortune, the man always pursued adventure and travel. He had a strong interest in heroic deeds.

Since Benson already wrote over 1000 pages, I don't need to write more paragraphs except to say it was wonderful to get such a full picture of an author whose novels I have loved. He was a complex, tempestuous person who married three times and had an unhappy relationship with his kids but kept the same literary agent and publisher for his entire career. Despite his interpersonal issues, he cared passionately for people, justice, and his country.

I always manage to forget the subject of a biography will die at the end. When Steinbeck died, I cried. Thanks to Jackson J Benson's hard work and sympathetic understanding, I almost felt I had known John Steinbeck.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benson has written an extraordinarily detailed biography of Steinbeck. It’s well-written too. Benson’s biography makes one appreciate the author’s self-discipline, work ethic, and steadiness of purpose. It emphases Steinbeck’s almost biological approach to humanity: he achieves a unique level of objectivity by judging his individual and social subjects with the detachment of a scientist. Indeed, I had not realized that Steinbeck was something of an amateur marine biologist. I was surprised to think of author in this way, since I remember, perhaps wrongly, Of Mice and Men, The Red Pony, and the Grapes of Wrath, as rather mawkish productions. Yet I read East of Eden more recently, and that book does seem to be beyond traditional morality. I suppose true Steinbeck fans will enjoy the book but I never finished the 1000 page book and will try again with the shorter Parini biography someday.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps not the best biography but certainly my favourite. The title is ironic: Steinbeck left all the adventuring to Hemingway. Unlike Hemingway, however, Steinbeck always comes across as a decent man who genuinely disliked fame, liked friendship and women, and seldom drank too much. The tactics of his right-wing critics to slur him continue to disgust.

[Chris Blocker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a beast. With over a thousand pages detailing the life of a very private man, this biography truly tells one everything they could possibly know about John Steinbeck. Perhaps a more accurate title would've been: John Steinbeck, Writer, Reader, Lover, Joker, Explorer, Worrier, Drinker, Traveler, Inventor, Researcher, Father, Sailor, Eater....

As a writer with a great love for Steinbeck's work, I was interested in the man behind the pages. As I haven't quite finished Steinbeck's entire bibliography (I'm at 66%), I felt some hesitation about reading this tome. Would knowing the inner life of Steinbeck alter my perspective of his creative work? I don't think it did, positively or negatively. My feelings about the works I've read remained unchanged, but my desire to read those I haven't yet read was greatly increased. (In the coming months, expect a considerable amount of Steinbeck in my feed.)

The sheer amount of work Benson must have put into this biography is impressive. It is with little doubt that I say this is the most extensive biography that will ever be written about Steinbeck. The research and the interviews are comprehensive. Having read John Steinbeck, Writer, I have few remaining questions about its subject, but many about its biographer. What kind of person sets out to write such a thorough work about an author? How long did he obsess over the subject? Does he have any regrets about how he spent his years? Does he dream about the Salinas Valley? Does he confuse events in the life of Steinbeck with his own? Was he sick of all things Steinbeck by the time of publication?

Some readers will perhaps be irritated with the length of John Steinbeck, Writer. Personally, though the work was longer than it needed to be, I was happy that Benson included as much as he did, allowing the reader to decide what facts are and are not important. What I appreciated less about this volume was the intrusion of Benson, the author (ironically, Steinbeck was sometimes criticized for intrusions, especially in later works). John Steinbeck, Writer is marred by the opinions of its author. Benson criticizes the critics, agents, editors, and publishers who continually begged Steinbeck to rehash The Grapes of Wrath; they were annoyed that the writer always wanted to try his hand at something new. Despite his criticism of these literary elites, Benson falls into the same trap, declaring The Grapes... as Steinbeck's masterpiece and declaring all subsequent works as inferior mistakes (the only possible exception being Travels with Charley). This is Benson's opinion and certainly unwanted. (Besides, these days we all know that East of Eden was Steinbeck's true masterpiece and y'all were just too close-minded to recognize it in the first forty years after its publication.) Less directly, it seems that maybe Benson has glossed over some known facts to paint Steinbeck in the most positive light possible. The picture painted here is of a genius who, because of fame and pressure, became slightly out of touch with his fellow man. I would argue that Steinbeck, especially after winning that cursed Nobel prize, was so incredibly far from the imaginative writer he set out to be forty years earlier that he probably wouldn't have recognized himself. At the hands of Steinbeck himself, Steinbeck probably would've been more honest about his mistakes than Benson was. And while Steinbeck toyed with the idea of writing an autobiography of sorts, a fact I learned from this work, he never got around to it. Thus, aside from what we can garner from Steinbeck's own writing, the most complete picture we have of the author comes from John Steinbeck, Writer, (because Steinbeck didn't use Facebook and you've always wanted to know what was on his dinner plate—and Benson went to great trouble to find out for you.)

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book many years ago and started reading it after a trip to the John Steinbeck Museum in Salinas, CA. I've been plucking away at it little by little since then, unable to finish reading it until today. I can happily say that it was worth the effort. Mr. Benson has given us a definitive look at John Steinbeck. In a sense, this is really three books in one, two biographies and one literary criticism, and great in each way. Mr. Benson has written a great biography of the man as we get a nearly side-by-side walk through the life of Mr. Steinbeck. He has also written a great biography of of the writer as we struggle with Steinbeck to write something original throughout the many phases of his life. And he has written a general appraisal of all of Steinbeck's works from Cup of Gold to Travels with Charley: In Search of America and America and Americans. Mr. Benson is tough, but fair-minded critic of Steinbeck's works without pretense or snobbery, something I think Mr. Steinbeck would've appreciated. The only downside of this work is its heft. At 1,000+ pages of narrative, this may be a daunting read for anyone. It nearly was for me. Still, if you are a fan of John Steinbeck and his works, I would highly recommend this book to you as a companion to all of Steinbeck's written works.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I've ever read. I wanted to learn more about Steinbeck, as he's been one of my favorite authors for 45 years.

The story was fascinating. I enjoyed learning about his early life, his family, his 3 marriages, his philosophies, his 2 children, his travels and all the people he met over his lifetime. he was more widely read than anyone I've ever heard of. I enjoyed his perspective about literature through the ages.

I liked his approach to writing. For example, he was going to transcribe the stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Before he began, he felt he had to know, sense and understand the environment in which the stories came about, so he traveled to the places the stories allegedly took place, met historians on the subject, and read previous interpretations of the stories. As it turns out, he never finished this book, but I was so impressed with his preparation. In different ways, he prepared for every story he wrote.

The book was a little long. I didn't want to know his feelings before and after every single item he wrote. Excerpts from some of his letters could have been omitted. I skipped many of them. Nevertheless, the book was so good that I continued, despite some boredom.

John Steinbeck is more a hero now, after reading his biography, than he was from just reading his books.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This biography was probably the most detailed biography I have ever read. I can't even imagine how much time the author must have spent writing this. I'm not really sure at this point if knowing every possible detail of Steinbeck's life will make me enjoy his writing more or less. In hindsight I almost wish I had not read a biography about an author and in the future will probably not read another one. I like to form my ideas about a piece of literature on what I experience while reading it rather than my thoughts and feelings being clouded by knowing of an author's personality or life story.

[Brian Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The exhaustive and comprehensive biography that Steinbeck deserves, culled from the larger work written by Benson. Yet, at 1,032 pages in its own right, you will feel that it covers all the bases. All of the details are covered, more often than not within an engaging style, but obviously it takes a bit of time to read. If you are interested in a few of the major works, this might be a bit daunting. There are shorter works covering more intensely works such as Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, or Of Mice and Men, particularly Steinbeck's own journals or the works of Susan Shillinglaw. But if you are obsessed with the entirety of Steinbeck's career and life, this volume will ever be topped.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a Steinbeck fan for many years, but learned something new on pretty much every one of these 1000+ pages.

This is a big book, heavy and dense, but well worth reading for anybody who enjoys Steinbeck or who likes biographies of authors. Writers will learn from Steinbeck's struggles to write and find acceptance.

I admit I was intimidated by the size and detail of this book, and remained so up until the last pages. I'm glad I read it, though, and would readily and heartily recommend it.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not read the entire 1000 pages - skimmed a good portion, and read the chapters on the parts of his life I wanted detailed information on. This is very thorough bio, and well written -- but I could never see myself reading the whole 1000+ pages.

[David Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love waaay long books but to be honest by the time I hit 900 or so pages my mind often drifts to what I'll read next. So, when a book is really engaging, really good, it doesn't matter how many pages you've left before you reach the last sentence. If a book is really great you never once think about what you'll pick up next, only hope that you can stay with the current book for just a bit longer. That pretty much sums up The True Adventures of John Steinbeck Writer. Of course it helps if you are enamored with the subject, especially if you may love a person's work but you don't really know all that much about their life. It also helps if the more you learn the more you love not only the subject's work but the more you love the actual person who produced such great work. And, if the biographer is truly worth their while, they can contribute by their own skill at writing, giving you even the teeniest details and not one of them is boring or screaming to be skipped over. And the final touch-- if once you finish the biography you not only feel a great admiration for the subject but want to go back and revisit all the subject produced. I may not read Steinbeck next, (there's so many to choose from and a few I've yet to read), but I've a feeling that at least every other book for quite a long while will have been brought to life by one of our country's greatest storytellers, a man whose humanity infused every sentence with the love of life, the long quest for justice, and a special talent for inviting the reader to review his own life and beliefs.

[Emily Meacham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic biography -- although it is very, very long. But what a fascinating life John Steinbeck had! And this book is very well-written, so it flows pretty well. The only passages that I struggled with were when the biographer got a little too analytic about how certain events in Steinbeck's life affected his writing ... and kind of went on too long about that. Otherwise, a very good read.

[Grindy Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers who are fans of John Steinbeck will get a kick out of this fine effort. Steinbeck wasn’t enough of a rock star though for casual readers to stick with this. Exhaustive in detail but I never found it tedious.

[Clayton Brannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent biography of one of if not the best writer of all time. So much more to him than just a writer. Well worth reading.

[James Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A massive biography of one of my favourite writers. Detailed background and well-researched. Inspirational.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read Steinbeck's Journal of a Novel, Working Days, and Dispatches from the War, so some points were repetitive, but there were plenty of fillers in between "eras" of his works so that was nice to read! I especially enjoyed the entries post-Vietnam War and wept quietly to myself because Steinbeck was such a humorous, wonderfully joyous, spirited man even though he did become quite cynical in his later years. I'll always respect him both as a writer and a person.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a literary critique - but a most thorough telling of the events that shaped Steinbeck throughout his life. Benson notes Steinbeck was blessed with good friends but lacked critical respect. I was a little taken aback by Steinbeck's embrace of a pseudo-Hollywood kind of lifestyle (he hated Hollywood itself). Anyway, I need to go back and reread some of his books. This is a well written, if overly long, biography.

[Sissy]

so far, i love this book. it was 50 cents at a thrift store and loving steinbeck - I figured why not. its immense size was initially intimidating and the attention to detail equally so. BUT its easy going, fascinating and a pleasure. it's almost like reading a fiction book about a writer with a big life.

[M. Sarki · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a marvelous and extensive look into the life of a great writer and American. Though a bit surly at times, and a man who could hold a grudge, John Steinbeck held a moral compass that held true throughout his thought-provoking life. His story is much sadder than what is generally known by most of his readers. In ways he was a tragic character.

[Lori Rasberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative, but long. I got about half-way through and decided my reading time would be better spent with another book.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE TRUE ADVENTURES OF JOHN STEINBECK,WRITER:A BIOGRAPHY by Jackson J. Benson (1990)

[PEN Center USA · Rating 5 out of 5]

1985 PEN Center USA Award Winner for Nonfiction

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great content but found it to be a little too in depth...could have been half of the length and still gotten a good picture of who John Steinbeck was.

[Lynn Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up skimming the last 1/4 of the book. I love Steinbeck, but this was way more than I wanted to know. This writer needed a better editor.

[Lamya · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's great if you want to read the details of Steinbeck's biography. There are even letters which he wrote.

[Jenny's Book Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew. This was the most overly thorough biography I’ve ever read.....