Thank you for this well-research series on Steinbeck and his books. To answer your question, my favorite is East of Eden. But then I have only read nine. How many books has he written?
I actually have not seen any of Steinbeck's works in film adaptation. I probably will do that as part of this project but I have heard some are good and some are not as great.
I’m from Central California and spent many summers near and around Monterey. Furthermore, my paternal grandmother’s family emigrated from Arkansas during the Great Depression. As you can imagine, I read A LOT of Steinbeck group. I taught both Of Mice and Men and Grapes of Wrath. Grape of Wrath is one of his wordy books and I resorted to assigning the inter-chapters and using summaries of the story. The few students who were remotely interested in reading the whole book did so, but everyone got a taste of Steinbeck’s prose.
That is really interesting to have so many connections to the regions and his works. I read Grapes of Wrath in high school but am rereading it again now. I am enjoying it much more this time around.
I've read Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, and Of Mice and Men. To be honest, Steinbeck isn't one of my preferred authors, though East of Eden is one of my top books.
Those were the only three of his books I had read before I started this project. Some of his stuff is genius (East of Eden) and some I don't enjoy as much (In Dubious Battle) but I can see his why he had such an impact even if I don't enjoy everything he wrote.
I read his work during 90s, a tough time in my life. The stories took me away, my dad also loved Steinbeck, we had lots of fun talking about each book “long distance” on the phone , check out Travels with Charlie, maybe you have. The Sea of Cortez, excellent, as was one he wrote about post war places in Europe, I read this one while traveling to Ukraine, poignant.
Thank you for these well written and well thought out reviews. I will have to read the first two books sometime. I’m pretty sure “Of Mice and Men” made me cry, but now I want to reread it, too.
Thanks Jenn. Of Mice and Men was really good. It is a quick read but it definitely pulls at your emotions. It is one I will come back to periodically for certain.
Really enjoyed this, one of my all time favorite authors. His stories and observations and take on places, time, people register with this Californian and brings her back home to those he describes. Thank you. Glad to have found your writing.
Thank you for this well-research series on Steinbeck and his books. To answer your question, my favorite is East of Eden. But then I have only read nine. How many books has he written?
East of Eden is also my favorite of those I have read. He wrote 31 books. So far I have read 11.
You covered my all-time favorite Steinbeck novel, In Dubious Battle.
Have you ever seen the movie adaptation? I was underwhelmed.
I actually have not seen any of Steinbeck's works in film adaptation. I probably will do that as part of this project but I have heard some are good and some are not as great.
I’m from Central California and spent many summers near and around Monterey. Furthermore, my paternal grandmother’s family emigrated from Arkansas during the Great Depression. As you can imagine, I read A LOT of Steinbeck group. I taught both Of Mice and Men and Grapes of Wrath. Grape of Wrath is one of his wordy books and I resorted to assigning the inter-chapters and using summaries of the story. The few students who were remotely interested in reading the whole book did so, but everyone got a taste of Steinbeck’s prose.
That is really interesting to have so many connections to the regions and his works. I read Grapes of Wrath in high school but am rereading it again now. I am enjoying it much more this time around.
I've read Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, and Of Mice and Men. To be honest, Steinbeck isn't one of my preferred authors, though East of Eden is one of my top books.
Those were the only three of his books I had read before I started this project. Some of his stuff is genius (East of Eden) and some I don't enjoy as much (In Dubious Battle) but I can see his why he had such an impact even if I don't enjoy everything he wrote.
Agreed, and I'm glad you're doing this series!
I read his work during 90s, a tough time in my life. The stories took me away, my dad also loved Steinbeck, we had lots of fun talking about each book “long distance” on the phone , check out Travels with Charlie, maybe you have. The Sea of Cortez, excellent, as was one he wrote about post war places in Europe, I read this one while traveling to Ukraine, poignant.
Love It!
Keep going.
Thanks Mark!
Thank you for these well written and well thought out reviews. I will have to read the first two books sometime. I’m pretty sure “Of Mice and Men” made me cry, but now I want to reread it, too.
Thanks Jenn. Of Mice and Men was really good. It is a quick read but it definitely pulls at your emotions. It is one I will come back to periodically for certain.
Really enjoyed this, one of my all time favorite authors. His stories and observations and take on places, time, people register with this Californian and brings her back home to those he describes. Thank you. Glad to have found your writing.