John Steinbeck?

[Enthusiast]

I've never read anything by John Steinbeck. I can't say why exactly. Is there a certain one I should start with or does it matter which sequence I read them in? Thanks.

[XemaSab]

1. The Grapes of Wrath is a classic

(I mean, they're all classics but that one is #1.)

[JuniperLea]

2. My first Steinbeck read was: The Winter of Our Discontent

Which, ironically, was his last novel.

Loved it.

Also read: The Grapes of Wrath; Cup of Gold; Cannery Row; Tortilla Flat; Of Mice and Men; The Pearl; East of Eden.

I don't think they need to be read in any particular order.

Steinbeck is one of my favorite authors.

[tekisui]

3. Tortilla Flat!

It is a short and fun Steinbeck read. But, it does well to capture his style and voice.

I also really enjoyed Travels With Charley. It is non-fiction, Steinbeck and his full-size poodle drive across America in search of America.

You really can't go wrong with Steinbeck, though.

[Jackpine Radical]

7. I read TwC when it was serialized in the old

Saturday Evening Post.

[tekisui]

19. That must have been very enjoyable.

I can imagine looking forward to each upcoming submission.

[Enthusiast]

25. That must have been

back a ways. Hey, you're not an old fart are you?

[Jackpine Radical]

28. Late youth.

65.

[Enthusiast]

29. Good answer.

I'm still wet behind the ears at 57. :fistbump:

[Warpy]

4. "The Grapes of Wrath" is a must read. I don't think you

can consider yourself culturally literate without it. It's not an easy read, but it will stay with you long after you've read it.

I read my way through Steinbeck and enjoyed them all. "East of Eden" was another, but do read "The Grapes of Wrath" first. If you only read one of his books, that should be it.

[monmouth]

6. When I hear/read "dustbowl" stories, I immediately think of the Joads. Great read..n/t

[Jackpine Radical]

8. Ditto.

And this thread is reminding me that it's been too long since I re-read Steinbeck.

[monmouth]

10. Remember in the film, the mother looking at herself in a cracked

mirror or window? I don't recall which. Stayed with me forever.

[Jackpine Radical]

13. You know, I don't think I saw any Steinbeck movie.

[monmouth]

16. I believe this was the film that made Henry Fonda. It's a not to be missed...n/t

[Jackpine Radical]

22. I think that's right, now you mention it.

[mike_c]

5. I presume you're interested in his novels....

Steinbeck was a prolific short story writer, too, or perhaps novella is a better term. I have always been partial to his classic, height-of-his-powers novels, The Grapes of Wrath, Cannery Row, The Winter of Our Discontent, Tobacco Road, Tortilla Flat and so on. For non-fiction, Logbook from the Sea of Cortez (I might have the title munged a bit on that one) and Travels With Charlie are good. Some of my favorite (longish) short stories include The Moon is Down and The Red Pony. Apologies if I got any of the titles wrong-- I'm just quoting them from memory, and it's been a number of years! Some of the down-and-out-guys-living-together stories tend to blur together in memory these days.

Edited to add Of Mice and Men, one of my all time favorite stories.

[Enthusiast]

27. Thanks, Mike.

I imagine I will get around to reading them all eventually. That usually happens when I like an author. And my wife reads them also.

[Duer 157099]

9. I'd also say Grapes of Wrath just because of some parallels to today

Steinbeck hits you in the gut and then reaches in an squeezes your heart til it hurts.

Not that that's a bad thing.

Also, any Steinbeck is good Steinbeck.

[mcranor]

11. Cannery Row...

...is practically flawless, IMO.

The Big Ones -- Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden -- may be 'greater', but they do not come as close to perfection.

mc

[elleng]

12. Right here, story, The Chrysanthemums:

http://amb.cult.bg/american/4/steinbeck/chrysanthemums.htm

[Enthusiast]

21. Thank you, elleng.

That didn't take long. He has quite a way with words. Colorful with feeling.

[elleng]

23. i understand East of Eden is REALLY IT!

[Enthusiast]

24. I'll read it for certain.

[mitchum]

30. In my opinion, that is one of the all-time great short stories

[Berry Cool]

14. You need to read The Grapes of Wrath.

And as you read it, see if you don't find yourself drawing parallels between what happened to the Okies in the story and what is happening to American workers now in the corporatocracy. The difference is, unlike the Joads, who keep going from place to place hoping to find someplace better and finding none, we don't even have anyplace to go. And we're not just competing for jobs with people right in our own country who will do the work for less money, we're competing with people in other countries, and people in prison.

[Curmudgeoness]

15. I'll add another vote for Grapes of Wrath. I just re-read it.

Disturbing, too much truth in it, but you will regain a lot of compassion that you may have lost along the way. And the end was almost too intense for me to take. Loved it! You will see the characters as if you are standing with them. Cannery Row should come next. Superbly written.

[zeemike]

17. I have read everything I could get my hands on by Steinbeck

But the most delightful of them was Cannery Row and Tortilla Flat...all I have to do is think about the story's he told and it makes me smile.
But there are no bad ones...they are all powerful and a delight to read.

[Enthusiast]

26. I suspect I'll read them all.

Thanks.

[mitchum]

31. Me too. I even love his Arthurian novel...

and usually that type of thing bores me silly.

[TreasonousBastard]

18. Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, East of Eden, Travels with Charley...

Start with any of them, or with some short stories.

And get the movies-- Hollywood was always afraid to screw up Steinbeck, Hemingway, and other literary giants, so they did a good job with them. The Joad family on screen is as powerful as in print. Maybe more so.

Steinbeck is one of the quintessential American writers that everyone should be familiar with.

[Enthusiast]

20. Thanks, everyone!

DU people are the best! I didn't expect so many responses. This is great. I feel fortunate that I have yet to read Steinbeck as I have so much to look forward to.

[sea_dream]

32. Don't forget

I love The Pearl and East of Eden.