Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck

Two migrant workers in California during the Great Depression – George Milton: small in stature,...more

Two migrant workers in California during the Great Depression – George Milton: small in stature, intelligent, and cynical, but caring; and Lennie Small: physically strong, but a mentally limited man – come to a ranch in Soledad, California to "work up a stake". They hope one day to fulfill their shared dream of settling down on their own piece of land. Lennie's part of the dream, which he never tires of hearing George describe, is merely to have soft rabbits on the farm, which he can pet. George protects Lennie from himself by telling him that if he gets into trouble he won't let him "tend them rabbits": they are fleeing from their previous employment in Weed; the childlike Lennie was run out of town, with George accompanying him, because Lennie's love of stroking soft things resulted in an accusation of attempted rape when he touched a young woman's dress.At the ranch, the dream appears to become possible. Candy, the aged, one-handed ranch-hand, even offers to pitch in with Lennie and George so they can buy the farm by the end of the month. The dream crashes when Lennie accidentally kills the young and attractive wife of Curley, the ranch owner's son, while trying to stroke her hair. A lynch mob led by Curley gathers. George, realizing he is doomed to a life of loneliness and despair like the rest of the migrant workers, and wanting to spare Lennie a painful death at the hands of the vengeful and violent Curley, shoots Lennie in the back of the head before the mob can find him. The shot comes while Lennie is distracted by one last retelling of the dream.   hide

OF MICE AND MEN : A great story told by a great writer. I think I was maybe 14 or 15 years old when...more

OF MICE AND MEN : A great story told by a great writer. I think I was maybe 14 or 15 years old when I first read this small powerhouse of a book about two drifters who dream of a place to call thier own. It was also the first time a book made me cry. I think the most lasting impact this story had on me was that through the relationship of George and the simple-minded giant Lenny, I first discovered the complexities, contradictions, and sacrifices of human love. What better lesson can a book offer ? Definately one of my all- time favorite books.    hide

A nice, quick read. Its a straightforward story about two friends, Lennie and George. The former...more

A nice, quick read. Its a straightforward story about two friends, Lennie and George. The former has the mental age of a small child and his companion George looks after him as they travel around looking for work in California during the 30's. Its a very short read so there isn't much depth to the characters or story but yet you feel for George and Lennie and really want them to find their simple dream. I felt i knew what was coming (in way or another) shortly after beginning the book, I'm sure other readers feel the same. In any case, its worth reading.    hide

I had to read this for school, and I saw the 1992 movie as well. I actually liked the story a bit....more

I had to read this for school, and I saw the 1992 movie as well. I actually liked the story a bit. The only downside was that it was really short (six chapters, about 100 pages) and the ending was too abrupt for me, but it's one of those books that are really truthful and blunt when talking about life.   hide

The book was written as a "novella-play", as though it were a script for a stage play, if you will...more

The book was written as a "novella-play", as though it were a script for a stage play, if you will (though it is not). Written in 1937 about migrant workers in the Depression era, this has got to be, by far, some of Steinbeck's greatest work! I had to read this for 10th Grade English, I adored it then, I adore it now some 20 years later. It shows true friendship, love, intolerence, and tragedy. I cannot begin to count the many times I've read this book, and the many more times I will read it in the future. I highly recommend this for anyone who TRULY enjoys reading!   hide