Tortilla Flat

I laughed all the way.............

The past reviews of I have done of Steinbeck's works, I have noted how very simple his prose style is. This is certainly not the case with "Tortilla Flat." Emulating the bombastic style of the old Arthurian legends, which he loved all his life, Steinbeck's use of a rather pompous tone throughout the novel makes this one of his most engaging reads. The story itself is a simple...more

The past reviews of I have done of Steinbeck's works, I have noted how very simple his prose style is. This is certainly not the case with "Tortilla Flat." Emulating the bombastic style of the old Arthurian legends, which he loved all his life, Steinbeck's use of a rather pompous tone throughout the novel makes this one of his most engaging reads. The story itself is a simple tale about a couple of paisanos, led by the kind and loyal Danny, who live together and enjoy all the pleasures and pains of life, helping each other become better men in the process. But the way he tells the story, the grandiloquent dialogue between the characters, the ostentatious presentation of simple acts of correction or innocent thievery, all make you believe that Danny and his friends are the informal heirs of King Arthur and his noble knights. It also makes you wish that you were with them, living life in devotion and loyalty to one another and to Danny above all. Though not mind-blowing enough for me to give this book five stars, this is definitely the book to start with for anyone reading Steinbeck for the first time.   hide

Un livre d'un autre temps ! Mais un plaisir à découvrir; une histoire simple, mais tellement touchante.

Tortilla Flats is one of my all-time favorites. Yes, it's lame, but I just don't like to read depressing books. Tortilla Flats is not. Steinbeck reinterprets Arthurian legend following some "ne'er-do-wells" in Monterey. This is the Steinbeck book for people who can't deal with the unrelenting sadness of The Grapes of Wrath. Ok, you can read Cannery Row, too,...more

Tortilla Flats is one of my all-time favorites. Yes, it's lame, but I just don't like to read depressing books. Tortilla Flats is not. Steinbeck reinterprets Arthurian legend following some "ne'er-do-wells" in Monterey. This is the Steinbeck book for people who can't deal with the unrelenting sadness of The Grapes of Wrath. Ok, you can read Cannery Row, too, but this is still my favorite.   hide