Reading the 20th Century discussion

We have had a suggestion for a John Steinbeck thread.

What books by Steinbeck have you read, and which titles would you recommend?

This is part of his Goodreads bio:

John Steinbeck III was an American writer. He wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Grapes of Wrath, published in 1939 and the novella Of Mice and Men, published in 1937. In all, he wrote twenty-five books, including sixteen novels, six non-fiction books and several collections of short stories.

In 1962 Steinbeck received the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Steinbeck grew up in the Salinas Valley region of California, a culturally diverse place of rich migratory and immigrant history. This upbringing imparted a regionalistic flavor to his writing, giving many of his works a distinct sense of place.

Steinbeck moved briefly to New York City, but soon returned home to California to begin his career as a writer. Most of his earlier work dealt with subjects familiar to him from his formative years.

In his subsequent novels, Steinbeck found a more authentic voice by drawing upon direct memories of his life in California. Later he used real historical conditions and events in the first half of 20th century America, which he had experienced first-hand as a reporter.

The full bio is here: goodreads.com/author/show/585.John_St...

I think the only Steinbeck books I've read are The Grapes of Wrath - I first read this when at school and revisited it a few years ago - and Of Mice and Men, which I read when my son studied it for GCSE. Both are powerful books, so I'm not sure why I haven't tried any more by him.

Last year we discussed The Grapes of Wrath here at RTTC....


https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Thanks, Nigeyb. I didn't have time to join in on that in the end, but it was only a few years since I'd read it previously.

I've read....


The Grapes of Wrath

and

Cannery Row

and one other that I'm hoping to remember

I've loved what I've read so far

I read Of Mice and Men at school. and also The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden I keep meaning to read Cannery Row

I must admit, I haven't read anything by him.

Here in order of preference are the books by Steinbeck which I have read:

Of Mice and Men (5 stars)
The Grapes of Wrath (5 stars)
Travels with Charley: In Search of America (4 stars)
The Moon Is Down (4 stars)
Cannery Row (4 stars)
The Winter of Our Discontent (3 stars)
A Russian Journal (3 stars)
The Pearl (3 stars)
Sweet Thursday (2 stars)
East of Eden (2 stars)

I've read most of Steinbeck, except The Moon is Down. We read The Pearl, The Red Pony and The Grapes of Wrath in school. And then I went on a Steinbeck jag.

I'm still reading a biography by Jackson J. Benson.

I read a few of his books at school too and I think I enjoyed reading them at the time, since I did go on to read more than the one set book. He wrote about people coping with economic and social disadvantage as best they could, which not many authors were writing about at the time.
I read The Grapes of Wrath again in 2013 with another group and was not really drawn into it, so did not read it again in 2019 with this group.

I am also on my 2nd reading of Grapes - think about 70-80% through.

I do think John Steinbeck is great. In Dubious Battle is one of his best.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Chrissie wrote: "I do think John Steinbeck is great. In Dubious Battle is one of his best.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I think this was my favorite.

Jan C, yeah, seriously, In Dubious Battle is so well done. I can think of on other book about unions that is better. To that you add excellent writing. When I had completed the book and thought about the ending I realized that a lot had lead up to making the ending just right. It was a wow reading experience for me. I am still wondering if I should have riven it five stars.

I like non-fiction because if a book is not super well written you can at least learn something. They are sort of sure bets. I think fiction is in fact more difficult to write--you start with nothing. Excellent fiction demands creativity and imagination and well thought through planning.

Steinbeck Kindle offer today in the UK...


Travels with Charley

by

John Steinbeck

Yours for 99 pence



In 1960, John Steinbeck set out in his pick-up truck with his dog Charley to rediscover and chronicle his native USA, from Maine to California.

He felt that he might have lost touch with its sights, sounds and the essence of the American people. Moving through the woods and deserts, dirt tracks and highways to large cities and glorious wildernesses, Steinbeck observed - with remarkable honesty, insight and a humorous eye - the gamut of America and the people who inhabited it.

His 10,000-mile journey took him through almost forty states, where he saw things that made him proud, angry, sympathetic and elated. A rugged and passionate adventure of self-identity, Steinbeck's vision of the changing world still speaks to us prophetically through the decades.

'Delightful. This is a book to be read slowly for its savor.' The Atlantic

Travels With Charley is an excellent book. It also contains one of my favourite quotes. "I have always lived violently, drunk hugely, eaten too much or not at all, slept around the clock or missed two nights of sleeping, worked too hard and too long in glory, or slobbed for a time in utter laziness. I've lifted, pulled, chopped, climbed, made love with joy and taken my hangovers as a consequence, not as a punishment."

So I finished another by Steinbeck--The Wayward Bus. I liked it a lot and think it should be given higher acclaim.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

To a God Unknown is not one of my favorites by John Steinbeck..

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Still, I like its strong simple prose.

Once There Was a War I have liked more than the Steinbeck I read a few weeks ago.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

John Steinbeck is such a strong writer. The Red Pony I have given four stars.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Although this is about a child, I would not classify it as a child's book. It is for both adults and adolescents. Parts are grim.

A couple of week ago I also read The Pastures of Heaven. I gave it four stars too.

Am I the only one who likes Steinbeck?

Chrissie wrote: "Am I the only one who likes Steinbeck?"


Big JS fan over here

Nice. He is a fantastic writer.

I love everything I've read by him. He is indeed a fantastic writer.

Me too, though I've only read The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden so far.

I like Steinbeck. I read everything I could find when I was 13-17. I just re-read The Grapes of Wrath. Must admit I didn't read it quite as fast as the first time.

The only one of Steinbeck's book that really pushed me the wrong way was East of Eden. I felt like he was hammering in his message--this I dislike with any author!

Otherwise--YAY for Steinbeck!

Chrissie wrote: "The only one of Steinbeck's book that really pushed me the wrong way was East of Eden. I felt like he was hammering in his message--this I dislike with any author!

Otherwise--YAY for S..."

One of the few I haven't read yet.

Jan C wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "The only one of Steinbeck's book that really pushed me the wrong way was East of Eden. I felt like he was hammering in his message--this I dislike with any author!

Oth..."

Many others like the book, so read it and see what you think.

I'd agree that East of Eden can be over-determined in its use of archetypes and is more soapy than Grapes, but I still loved it. Cathy is a fascinating character.

Roman Clodia wrote: "I'd agree that East of Eden can be over-determined in its use of archetypes and is more soapy than Grapes, but I still loved it. Cathy is a fascinating character."

Good to know you recognize what I am talking about in relation to East of Eden.

Chrissie wrote: "Jan C wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "The only one of Steinbeck's book that really pushed me the wrong way was East of Eden. I felt like he was hammering in his message--this I dislike with an..."

I have a copy but the print is very small. Maybe I need to get it on Kindle or in a trade paperback.

I just finished Cannery Road and really enjoyed it! I had been to Monterey as a teen and have wanted to read the book since then. The next Steinbeck book I plan to read is Travels with Charley.

Pam wrote: "I just finished Cannery Road and really enjoyed it! I had been to Monterey as a teen and have wanted to read the book since then. The next Steinbeck book I plan to read is Travels with Charley."

I envy you. I have never been to anywhere in California, although my brother once lived there. Of course, we can all look at images of Monterey County on the web, but this isn't quite the same as having been there! So many of Steinbeck's books are set in Monterey County.

I was in Monterey (Salinas, Carmel, Big Sur) years ago. I took the bus there and then did some hitchhiking down Big Sur. It was beautiful.

Not read Cannery Row, but have driven from San Fancisco to Santander Cruz through Monterey, Big Sur down Route 1 Pacific Highway to San Simeon, Hearst Castle is a must, then onto Los Angeles, was some time ago summer '94.

Michael wrote: "Not read Cannery Row, but have driven from San Fancisco to Santander Cruz through Monterey, Big Sur down Route 1 Pacific Highway to San Simeon, Hearst Castle is a must, then onto Los Angeles, was s..."

I've done that self same trip

Idyllic

I missed the Castle. That's the trouble with traveling by thumb. 1969.

I do recommend America and Americans and Selected Nonfiction by John Steinbeck. Its beginning is great, the middle very, very good, but the end absolutely TERRIBLE!

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

You can skip the eighth, the last part, of the book.