I know Steinbeck through THE GRAPES OF WRATH, a vivid memory from the distant past, and TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY, which I discovered in the first flush of love for my first dog, mistakenly thinking that Charley would be front and center. Your post today leaves me with a question: Did this incorrigibly restless soul ever write a book that did not involve some kind of journey? His collaboration with Capa (never knew of it) suggests a Russian bookend to TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY, in which he wrote, “A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike…. We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.”
Rona - what I am discovering is that every single book so far has included some sort of a journey. It makes me think he constantly saw himself on some sort of a journey and used his writing as one means of navigating it. Before I started this project I only knew of the well-known books and reading him through has helped me see consistent threads in his writing.
I'm ashamed to say, having taught many American literature courses, that I have not read very widely beyond Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men. Steinbeck was prolific, and I appreciate your introduction to other works. I was not aware of his interest in social justice.
Josh, prior to this year I had only read 3 or 4 of his works, primarily the well-known ones. It has been really interesting for me to observe the overarching themes in his writing, especially as I am reading in the order he wrote. I have discovered some real treasures in a few of the lesser known works.
My favorite Steinbeck: GRAPES. I enjoy his inter/chapter commentary on the desperate world of his characters. I admire his adroit point-of-view shifts, inner to outer. experiential to observational, involved to detached. A "psychological trick," he called it (and then added "but all techniques of writing are psychological tricks"). I borrowed this one for my novel about O'Keeffe and Chabot.
Susan, I am a big fan of Grapes as well although East of Eden remains my favorite of his works. However, the turtle chapter from Grapes may be one of the most iconic scenes in any book I have ever read.
I'm drawn to the developmental opportunities highlighted in your synopsis of The Wayward Bus.
We experience growth and development when we uncover our assumptions and beliefs about how the world works and see them as objects rather than being subject to them.
As you describe the characters in this book, I can't help but notice how they seem to challenge each others' assumptions. They help each other see what was unseen before.
Brandon, yes, this was one of the more interesting books regarding the connections made between the characters. Steinbeck is always very focused on character, and his plots are often simply vessels for understanding the characters. In this book in particular there was a great deal of self-discovery that took place as a result of the interactions between the characters.
The only Steinbeck books I've read are Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden. Thoroughly enjoyed both. I appreciate your post highlighting four of his other books. The Wayward Bus sounds most intriguing to me. Thanks for writing about these other works, and good luck with all that stuff you have going on. Bet you're looking forward to August.
Those are both classics. I will be writing about East of Eden for next month and it is my favorite of his works. I am looking forward to August but this summer should be filled with lots of good things.
It's can't miss, He inhabits her body. worth reading the novel again, although I remember misses, like the old man, and the structure overall seemed off. Like there's no center. Still that waitress
I’ve been looking forward to your Steinbeck reviews so I was very happy to see this in my inbox. I’ve read East of Eden twice and I’ve also read Grapes of Wrath and Travels with Charley. Steinbeck is so thought provoking” as you said. That and the vividness of his characters really nails it for me. I just love his books. I’d like to reread Grapes at some point but really want to read some that I are new to me. Time to head off to my fave used bookstore and see which of these they have. Thanks Matthew.
Noreen - East of Eden is definitely my favorite and that will be reviewed next month. I agree that he is really all about the characters. His plots are good and enjoyable but the characters are so very real.
I grew up in Central California, so Steinbeck was required reading. Tortilla Flats sticks in my memory, along with Cannery Row. My grandparents had a house in Pacific Grove, so the “movie in my head” was in technicolor.
Wonderful reviews, I’ve not read any of these, though “Logs” is in a box under my bed waiting too be read. Good luck with the upcoming busy time and congrats!
Despite owning a few Steinbeck novels, I’m ashamed to say I’ve only read one, and that was as part of a college course. No excuses, I need to grab one from the shelf right away. Thank you for another wonderfully thoughtful essay, and all best wishes for your retirement.
Victoria, let me know if you want some recommendations. Some of his stuff is amazing. Some is just ok. Be glad to point you towards the good stuff (in my opinion).
I think Of Mice and Men is a great place to start for most people as it is short and concise but well written.
The Pearl is also not very long and is a beautiful case study in human nature.
The Grapes of Wrath is his most famous work. The style of the writing is more complex with the alternating chapters but this is a truly wonderful look at a difficult period of American history through the eyes of one family.
My favorite of his works is East of Eden. It is also the longest of his works so might not be the best entry point but hopefully you get the chance to read eventually.
I think I’ll re-read Of Mice and Men first. As it’s been such a long time since I read it the first time. Thanks for the kick *encouragement*, Matthew.
Well done, Matthew. One of my favorites has been Travels with Charley. Another of his journeys. He has always been a writer I admired. In 1968 I attended his funeral at St. James Episcopal in NYC. As a fan, not a friend. It remains one of the more significant things I have ever done. Thanks for writing about him.
Bob, wow, that is really interesting that you attended his funeral. He was an interesting man for sure. I love Travels with Charley. East of Eden is my favorite.
Another person who has read Log from the Sea of Cortez? Man, that alone is amazing because it's a pretty obscure work. I read it because I was and am interested in Mexico. I think his obituary of sorts on Doc Ricketts was the best thing about it, very moving
Kevin, yes, it is so obscure I haven't ever met anyone else who read it either! I might not have ever picked it up if I wasn't reading his complete works. And I agree, the ode to Doc Ricketts was sublime and the best part of the book.
Matthew, you're in Tennessee, right? Just out of curiosity, have you ever been out here, to Steinbeck country--Monterey, Salinas Valley? I live in California, in the Bay Area, and have been to
Kevin, yes I am about an hour outside Memphis. I was stationed in San Diego from 2014-2017. I never made it up to that area though. I would love to visit someday.
Matthew, I'd like to do a sort of travel piece about Steinbeck country as if I were your tour guide (or a like minded person interested in Steinbeck) taking you briefly through what you'd see there and what not to miss. Been there many times and read him widely. I'll definitely plug your writing and recommend it. That okay with you? Man, I don't know how you get any reading or writing done, with this amazing string of comments and replies. Incredible!
Kevin, I think that sounds like a great idea! I would love to read something like that and I believe it would pair well with my series, especially for folks who haven't been to that area before. Thanks for thinking of me.
I know Steinbeck through THE GRAPES OF WRATH, a vivid memory from the distant past, and TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY, which I discovered in the first flush of love for my first dog, mistakenly thinking that Charley would be front and center. Your post today leaves me with a question: Did this incorrigibly restless soul ever write a book that did not involve some kind of journey? His collaboration with Capa (never knew of it) suggests a Russian bookend to TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY, in which he wrote, “A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike…. We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.”
Rona - what I am discovering is that every single book so far has included some sort of a journey. It makes me think he constantly saw himself on some sort of a journey and used his writing as one means of navigating it. Before I started this project I only knew of the well-known books and reading him through has helped me see consistent threads in his writing.
You'll soon have more time for projects of this kind. Congratulations on your upcoming retirement.
I'm ashamed to say, having taught many American literature courses, that I have not read very widely beyond Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men. Steinbeck was prolific, and I appreciate your introduction to other works. I was not aware of his interest in social justice.
Josh, prior to this year I had only read 3 or 4 of his works, primarily the well-known ones. It has been really interesting for me to observe the overarching themes in his writing, especially as I am reading in the order he wrote. I have discovered some real treasures in a few of the lesser known works.
My favorite Steinbeck: GRAPES. I enjoy his inter/chapter commentary on the desperate world of his characters. I admire his adroit point-of-view shifts, inner to outer. experiential to observational, involved to detached. A "psychological trick," he called it (and then added "but all techniques of writing are psychological tricks"). I borrowed this one for my novel about O'Keeffe and Chabot.
Susan, I am a big fan of Grapes as well although East of Eden remains my favorite of his works. However, the turtle chapter from Grapes may be one of the most iconic scenes in any book I have ever read.
I'm drawn to the developmental opportunities highlighted in your synopsis of The Wayward Bus.
We experience growth and development when we uncover our assumptions and beliefs about how the world works and see them as objects rather than being subject to them.
As you describe the characters in this book, I can't help but notice how they seem to challenge each others' assumptions. They help each other see what was unseen before.
Brandon, yes, this was one of the more interesting books regarding the connections made between the characters. Steinbeck is always very focused on character, and his plots are often simply vessels for understanding the characters. In this book in particular there was a great deal of self-discovery that took place as a result of the interactions between the characters.
The only Steinbeck books I've read are Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden. Thoroughly enjoyed both. I appreciate your post highlighting four of his other books. The Wayward Bus sounds most intriguing to me. Thanks for writing about these other works, and good luck with all that stuff you have going on. Bet you're looking forward to August.
Those are both classics. I will be writing about East of Eden for next month and it is my favorite of his works. I am looking forward to August but this summer should be filled with lots of good things.
Was "Wayward" the novel where a waitress slowly gets drunk in the closed cafe? This was genius.
Yes, that is the one.
It's can't miss, He inhabits her body. worth reading the novel again, although I remember misses, like the old man, and the structure overall seemed off. Like there's no center. Still that waitress
Less familiar work from Steinbeck (at least on my part), but no less compelling as his masterpieces in synopsis.
Thanks David, glad you enjoyed it.
I’ve been looking forward to your Steinbeck reviews so I was very happy to see this in my inbox. I’ve read East of Eden twice and I’ve also read Grapes of Wrath and Travels with Charley. Steinbeck is so thought provoking” as you said. That and the vividness of his characters really nails it for me. I just love his books. I’d like to reread Grapes at some point but really want to read some that I are new to me. Time to head off to my fave used bookstore and see which of these they have. Thanks Matthew.
Noreen - East of Eden is definitely my favorite and that will be reviewed next month. I agree that he is really all about the characters. His plots are good and enjoyable but the characters are so very real.
I’ve only read Of Mice and Men and Grapes of Wrath. What terrific insights into all these others. Thank you.
Thanks Mary. My favorite is East of Eden and that will be my review for next month.
Oh, I did read that one! Also great flick.
Thank you so much, Matthew. I shall certainly explore more of Steinbeck’s work after reading your article.
Thanks Maureen! Let me know if you find something you enjoy.
Best wishes for the upcoming period of transition for you. Have a great retirement ceremony and a super family holiday.
I grew up in Central California, so Steinbeck was required reading. Tortilla Flats sticks in my memory, along with Cannery Row. My grandparents had a house in Pacific Grove, so the “movie in my head” was in technicolor.
Stephanie, this is very cool. What an interesting connection with the author and locales he wrote about.
Wonderful reviews, I’ve not read any of these, though “Logs” is in a box under my bed waiting too be read. Good luck with the upcoming busy time and congrats!
Jenn, thanks so much. It is going to be a fun and exciting summer.
Despite owning a few Steinbeck novels, I’m ashamed to say I’ve only read one, and that was as part of a college course. No excuses, I need to grab one from the shelf right away. Thank you for another wonderfully thoughtful essay, and all best wishes for your retirement.
Victoria, let me know if you want some recommendations. Some of his stuff is amazing. Some is just ok. Be glad to point you towards the good stuff (in my opinion).
Oh, absolutely, that would be great. Which would you start with? I believe(ish) that the one we read at college was Of Mice and Men.
I think Of Mice and Men is a great place to start for most people as it is short and concise but well written.
The Pearl is also not very long and is a beautiful case study in human nature.
The Grapes of Wrath is his most famous work. The style of the writing is more complex with the alternating chapters but this is a truly wonderful look at a difficult period of American history through the eyes of one family.
My favorite of his works is East of Eden. It is also the longest of his works so might not be the best entry point but hopefully you get the chance to read eventually.
I think I’ll re-read Of Mice and Men first. As it’s been such a long time since I read it the first time. Thanks for the kick *encouragement*, Matthew.
Well done, Matthew. One of my favorites has been Travels with Charley. Another of his journeys. He has always been a writer I admired. In 1968 I attended his funeral at St. James Episcopal in NYC. As a fan, not a friend. It remains one of the more significant things I have ever done. Thanks for writing about him.
Bob, wow, that is really interesting that you attended his funeral. He was an interesting man for sure. I love Travels with Charley. East of Eden is my favorite.
Another person who has read Log from the Sea of Cortez? Man, that alone is amazing because it's a pretty obscure work. I read it because I was and am interested in Mexico. I think his obituary of sorts on Doc Ricketts was the best thing about it, very moving
Kevin, yes, it is so obscure I haven't ever met anyone else who read it either! I might not have ever picked it up if I wasn't reading his complete works. And I agree, the ode to Doc Ricketts was sublime and the best part of the book.
Matthew, you're in Tennessee, right? Just out of curiosity, have you ever been out here, to Steinbeck country--Monterey, Salinas Valley? I live in California, in the Bay Area, and have been to
Kevin, yes I am about an hour outside Memphis. I was stationed in San Diego from 2014-2017. I never made it up to that area though. I would love to visit someday.
Matthew, I'd like to do a sort of travel piece about Steinbeck country as if I were your tour guide (or a like minded person interested in Steinbeck) taking you briefly through what you'd see there and what not to miss. Been there many times and read him widely. I'll definitely plug your writing and recommend it. That okay with you? Man, I don't know how you get any reading or writing done, with this amazing string of comments and replies. Incredible!
Kevin, I think that sounds like a great idea! I would love to read something like that and I believe it would pair well with my series, especially for folks who haven't been to that area before. Thanks for thinking of me.
Thanks for your positivity, and I'll be in touch.
Have been to Steinbeck museum and so forth