The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck Centennial Edition (1902-2002)

John Steinbeck

The novel is political, and Steinbeck has a definite beef he wants to air about American...more

The novel is political, and Steinbeck has a definite beef he wants to air about American consumerism, and he is definitely pro-union, pro-labor, and pro-communism (that's communism with a small "c", not Communism with a big "C", so back off there Mr. McCarthy), but for the most part he lets the politics develop as a result of the story, not the other way around. I didn't feel like he was trying to ram his beliefs down my throat. I did feel that it got preachy in the end, especially Tom's last speech, but all in all I think Steinbeck handles the juggling act of telling a good story vs. espousing a political belief well.   hide

steinbeck is quoted as saying that he doesnt want the reader satisfied... A compelling book wih a...more

steinbeck is quoted as saying that he doesnt want the reader satisfied... A compelling book wih a brutally descriptive narative. He certainly lives up to his intentions, the story takes you thru the Joad family's struggles as they migrate in search of a living. he may be known as a mysoginist but i found that the strongest and most resiliant character was that of "ma" who never fails to do anything it takes to keep her family alive and together "repression only leads the repressed to bind together and get stronger" No happy ending to be found here, but the endurance of the human spirit screams out from every page. A clasic!!   hide

This book really moved me. I love the way the deep, poetic descriptions of the landscape are so...more

This book really moved me. I love the way the deep, poetic descriptions of the landscape are so beautifully woven into the story about the Joad family. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and gained an even deeper disdain for the American consumerist dysfunction, which never ceases to exploit the ones who have the least and spoil the ones who have the most.   hide

People complain about some of the superficial character traits of Rose and the lack of remorse...more

People complain about some of the superficial character traits of Rose and the lack of remorse shown by Joad for the murders and deride the novel as a farce. It's a satire and Joad is a superhuman character designed to exemplify a human being doing purely human things. That is his triumph, that he does not attempt to be anything but what he is, and his dire circumstances do not deter him. He puts his life, and the things that he cares about, (his family) before the interests and the needs of others. I don't see what's wrong with that. That means he LIVES instead of divies out his life into equal portions that all those around him can feed on it as they claim to do the same. And fail. I really like the book.   hide

I have not yet read a John Steinbeck novel that I have not loved or not wanted to put down... this...more

I have not yet read a John Steinbeck novel that I have not loved or not wanted to put down... this is definitely on my list of 'favorities' for books read in 2006.   hide