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brenommk's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
calco's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A heart wrenching window into the lives of working class Americans forced from their homes by the cataclysm of the Dust Bowl, Great Depression, and the consequences of the corporate greed that is so inevitable within Democratic Capitalism. Steinbeck walks the line of painful grief for the present and steadfast hope in a better future for those who come after.
bperl's review against another edition
4.0
I avoided this book for many years and for many reasons. “It’s too depressing” and “nothing really happens” were the main offenders. It is highly discouraging, true. “Nothing” happens in that it’s “only” a story about a family transplanting themselves from Oklahoma to California. However, I think that the best stories are often found where “nothing important” happens.
Steinbeck is a master of his craft. His environments linger in the ear and stimulate the imagination. The smell of old leather truck seats, the sound of the crickets buzzing in the fields, the red sun dawning over the camp - every description is in its place, not an adjective out of tune.
The characters inhabiting the world of the Dust Bowl ‘30s are just as authentic, drawn deeply and irresistibly. I found myself speaking in the Midwest drawl, droppin’ letters an’ slurrin’ mah words.
Steinbeck clearly had problems with corporate and capitalist America. His businessmen always look to make a profit, skewering the little guy in the quest for mammon. However, he also shows their humanity beneath the facade. The lady behind the counter of the diner gives Okie children expensive candy for free despite an initial hard front. A a man in charge of a company-run, tight-fisted shop spends his own money to give Ma the chance to buy sugar. It’s a refreshing twist, brought off stunningly well in a few cases. It’s not man who’s the problem, it’s people.
Recommended.
Steinbeck is a master of his craft. His environments linger in the ear and stimulate the imagination. The smell of old leather truck seats, the sound of the crickets buzzing in the fields, the red sun dawning over the camp - every description is in its place, not an adjective out of tune.
The characters inhabiting the world of the Dust Bowl ‘30s are just as authentic, drawn deeply and irresistibly. I found myself speaking in the Midwest drawl, droppin’ letters an’ slurrin’ mah words.
Steinbeck clearly had problems with corporate and capitalist America. His businessmen always look to make a profit, skewering the little guy in the quest for mammon. However, he also shows their humanity beneath the facade. The lady behind the counter of the diner gives Okie children expensive candy for free despite an initial hard front. A a man in charge of a company-run, tight-fisted shop spends his own money to give Ma the chance to buy sugar. It’s a refreshing twist, brought off stunningly well in a few cases. It’s not man who’s the problem, it’s people.
Recommended.
jess_ika's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
libraryian's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
wathav's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I keep rereading this. This is why I fell in love with Steinbeck.
mcloonejack's review against another edition
5.0
First off, this book is probably wasted on the vast majority of high schoolers forced to read it, both because of its slower bits and some of the messages I think resonate better when you’re a touch older.
But if you’re one of those kids who hated it in high school, give it another shot. This is one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read.
The story of the Joads is never comfortable nor is it ever particularly joyful, but that’s the story of the working man, then and now. Sure, we can dress things up and dream for better. But when the ruling class conspires against you, hates you and beats you for daring to want better, weaponizes natural disasters against you, what are you to do?
But if you dig enough, it’s also a hopeful story. A recurrent theme is how the person most likely to help a poor person is another poor person who has almost nothing left to give. Right down to the very final scene with Rose of Sharon. And in that way, it echoes another constant refrain, that the reason why the wealthy are afraid of the poor is because they know if they’re able to organize, they actually have the power.
America is a fucked up place, and capitalism is a fucked up system. This book pulls no punches, but it’s beautiful nonetheless. If you have the barest inkling of class consciousness, you have to read it.
But if you’re one of those kids who hated it in high school, give it another shot. This is one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read.
The story of the Joads is never comfortable nor is it ever particularly joyful, but that’s the story of the working man, then and now. Sure, we can dress things up and dream for better. But when the ruling class conspires against you, hates you and beats you for daring to want better, weaponizes natural disasters against you, what are you to do?
But if you dig enough, it’s also a hopeful story. A recurrent theme is how the person most likely to help a poor person is another poor person who has almost nothing left to give. Right down to the very final scene with Rose of Sharon. And in that way, it echoes another constant refrain, that the reason why the wealthy are afraid of the poor is because they know if they’re able to organize, they actually have the power.
America is a fucked up place, and capitalism is a fucked up system. This book pulls no punches, but it’s beautiful nonetheless. If you have the barest inkling of class consciousness, you have to read it.
wondarlice's review against another edition
5.0
amazing !! i loved the character's descriptions, the way the crops, banks, nature, living and dead things were described with the same words, because in this tragedy, banks are alive and threatening, and crops are barren. I loved how the ideas of ownership, private property, friendship, persistence, and hope are portrayed throughout this book, carried by a gorgeous writing, humour, and kind-hearted people.
However, I hope to god there is a symbolism or smtg in the last page that I did not get 'cause otherwise ew.
However, I hope to god there is a symbolism or smtg in the last page that I did not get 'cause otherwise ew.