OF MICE AND MEN by John Steinbeck
09-07-2010 21:35
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I am very embarrassed to admit that, in the time that has passed since my last review, I've read only two rather short books, the last of them being "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck. This is the second work by the author that I've read, and, just like "Grapes of Wrath," which I have absolutely loved, it did not disappoint me. Nevertheless, even though "Of Mice and Men" was more than a pleasant read, it did not leave impression as strong as his Pulitzer Prize winning "Grapes of Wrath." Perhaps, this has to do with its slightly moralistic tone and somewhat one-dimensional characters.
Set in California during the Great Depression era, the Steinbeck follows two migrant workers, whose miserable existence represent fate of a great number of people during that difficult period of American history. In doing so, he touches on a number of topics, including that of impossibility of American dream, importance of fraternity, and the nature of human existence. "Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place ...With us it ain’t like that. We got a future ... because I got you to look after me and you got me to look after you."
To be honest, I can't explain what it is that makes me love Steinbeck so much. I have to admit that both of his books I've read are slow-paced (despite the fact that "Of Mice and Men" seems to fit many of important events into 100+ pages). While, in most cases, I consider this to be a drawback for a story, combined with the author's style, slow pace somehow benefits the story by making reading experience surprisingly soothing. When reading Steinbeck, I feel my brain switching into a new mode, very different from the one I have to use in order to deal with crazy pace of our 21st century lives.
Осталось прочитать 23 книги списка на 2010 год
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[показать]I am very embarrassed to admit that, in the time that has passed since my last review, I've read only two rather short books, the last of them being "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck. This is the second work by the author that I've read, and, just like "Grapes of Wrath," which I have absolutely loved, it did not disappoint me. Nevertheless, even though "Of Mice and Men" was more than a pleasant read, it did not leave impression as strong as his Pulitzer Prize winning "Grapes of Wrath." Perhaps, this has to do with its slightly moralistic tone and somewhat one-dimensional characters.
George and Lennie are migrant American laborers – the one alert and protective and the other strong, stupid and potentially dangerous. Clinging to each other in their loneliness and alienation, George and his simple-minded friend dream, as drifters will, of a place to call their own. But after they come to work on a ranch in the Salinas Valley their hopes, like "the best laid schemes o' mice an' men," begin to go awry.
Set in California during the Great Depression era, the Steinbeck follows two migrant workers, whose miserable existence represent fate of a great number of people during that difficult period of American history. In doing so, he touches on a number of topics, including that of impossibility of American dream, importance of fraternity, and the nature of human existence. "Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place ...With us it ain’t like that. We got a future ... because I got you to look after me and you got me to look after you."
To be honest, I can't explain what it is that makes me love Steinbeck so much. I have to admit that both of his books I've read are slow-paced (despite the fact that "Of Mice and Men" seems to fit many of important events into 100+ pages). While, in most cases, I consider this to be a drawback for a story, combined with the author's style, slow pace somehow benefits the story by making reading experience surprisingly soothing. When reading Steinbeck, I feel my brain switching into a new mode, very different from the one I have to use in order to deal with crazy pace of our 21st century lives.
Осталось прочитать 23 книги списка на 2010 год
Комментарии (5):
Love_Irynka
10-07-2010-07:56
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I remember we had to read that in school... so I don't think I liked it much... but then again, I've never been a big book warm... and I very much dislike english and american literature .... maybe I am too picky. the only book I really enjoyed is Karenina... and I never even finished reading it :(((
CrimeanGurl
10-07-2010-08:41
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Love_Irynka, this is definitely a book for those who likes to read for the sake of reading experience itself and is interested in learning about author's perspective on various important to the society issues. Definitely nothing like the most popular bestsellers of today that have no merit other than exciting plot and give no food for thought, which I believe has always been the main purpose of good literature.
I personally have always loved to read, but hated almost every single book they made us read in school. In my opinion, mandatory reading of this kind of literature at a young age does little good and might be actually off-putting. I've reread a few books some years later and found the whole experience to be completely different...good different. I have also always preferred Russian and French literature, but, in the last few years, have found out that both English and American authors, whose works I have been mostly reading for the lack of an alternative, have a lot to offer as well. So far, I have greatly enjoyed Steinbeck, Fitzgerald, Orwell, and particularly Graham Green.
I personally have always loved to read, but hated almost every single book they made us read in school. In my opinion, mandatory reading of this kind of literature at a young age does little good and might be actually off-putting. I've reread a few books some years later and found the whole experience to be completely different...good different. I have also always preferred Russian and French literature, but, in the last few years, have found out that both English and American authors, whose works I have been mostly reading for the lack of an alternative, have a lot to offer as well. So far, I have greatly enjoyed Steinbeck, Fitzgerald, Orwell, and particularly Graham Green.
Love_Irynka
10-07-2010-09:09
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I think I just don't have enough patience to get into the book. I am a slow reader, because I try to imagine every little detail and am afraid to miss something. Thus, it takes me a long time to get to the action and by the time I do, I am so bored I put the book down and don't pick it up. As a kid, I loved reading, and I was a pretty fast reader too... but now, as an adult I enjoy cinematography far more... I know it's not the same, but I am more of a visual person.. I need to see it, to picture it... and in two hours a movie can do what would take at least a week of reading the book. I wish I had patience for books, I do... I have like 5 books that I have gone half way through and left it there... I regret not being able to commit to a book and finish it...
there is always something that comes up and then I forget about the book..... Also, reading, makes me very sleepy... I can read max for 30 mins without falling asleep:)))
there is always something that comes up and then I forget about the book..... Also, reading, makes me very sleepy... I can read max for 30 mins without falling asleep:)))
credo_ergo_sum
12-07-2010-06:16
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"Of Mice and Men" was the first book I've read here in American high school. Since at the time I had no idea about American slang, I had really hard time understanding all the dialogue. But somehow I managed to figure most of it out, and thought it was a pretty good book.
13-07-2010-23:09
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"The Winter of Our Discontent" is very good too.
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