Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Steinbeck: A Life in Letters

by Elaine Steinbeck (Editor), Robert Wallsten (Editor)

4.23 of 5 stars 4.23 · rating details · 180 ratings · 17 reviews

For John Steinbeck, who hated the telephone, letter-writing was a preparation for work and a natural way for him to communicate his thoughts on people he liked and hated; on marriage, women, and children; on the condition of the world; and on his progress in learning his craft. Opening with letters written during Steinbeck's early years in California, and closing with a 19...more

Hardcover, 906 pages

Published October 28th 1975 by Viking Books (first published 1975)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Steinbeck Country

28th out of 54 books — 25 voters

Looking for Mr Goodbar by Judith Rossner

Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault

Best Books of 1975

16th out of 76 books — 21 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 668)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Dec 07, 2012 Kim rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

John Steinbeck was a compulsive writer. In a letter to his editor and friend Pat Covici in 1960, he recorded his excitement about a planned trip by campervan around the United States.* Steinbeck wrote: "I nearly always write - just as I nearly always breathe". The association of writing with life itself defines Steinbeck. He wrote novels, plays, screenplays, opinion pieces, political speeches, travel journalism and war reportage. And, of course, letters.

From his days as a struggling writer in t...more
John Steinbeck was a compulsive writer. In a letter to his editor and friend Pat Covici in 1960, he recorded his excitement about a planned trip by campervan around the United States.* Steinbeck wrote: "I nearly always write - just as I nearly always breathe". The association of writing with life itself defines Steinbeck. He wrote novels, plays, screenplays, opinion pieces, political speeches, travel journalism and war reportage. And, of course, letters.

From his days as a struggling writer in the 1920s until his death in 1968, Steinbeck wrote letters almost daily: to friends and family, to his literary agent, to his editor and to the political leaders with whom he associated when he became well-known. When Steinbeck was writing a novel, letter-writing was his way of warming up for a day's work. At other times he wrote letters because this was just what he did. Steinbeck was a shy man who hated speaking on the phone and letters often took the place of conversation with the people he cared about. In addition, he didn't write an autobiography, avoided giving interviews and was terrified of public speaking, so the letters form an important record of Steinbeck's life.

Reading this book was quite a project. Its 906 pages include letters written over a period of more than forty years. The first letter in the volume was written in 1926 to a college friend while Steinbeck was working as a caretaker on an estate at Lake Tahoe while writing his first novel. The last letter is incomplete: a letter to his literary agent probably begun shortly before he died in 1968. I found the book a fascinating read. The letters in it have been chosen because they have something to say. Mere letters of obligation or letters which are simply answers to other letters were not included in the collection.

Steinbeck had plenty to say in his letters. The picture of him which emerges from them is of an intelligent and thoughtful man who had insight into his own failings, who was generous and compassionate and who had a genuine interest in people, in society and in the natural environment. He writes with enthusiasm about topics as diverse as gardening, dogs, boats and gadgets he has invented or things he believes should be invented. In addition, the letters deal with his debilitating bouts of depression, the despair he felt as his first two marriages failed, his deep and enduring love for his third wife, his concerns about his sons and his recurring feeling that his writing was inadequate. Steinbeck also writes a lot about writing, both reflecting on his own practice and giving encouragement and advice to other writers.

I've read the collected letters of other writers in the past: Jane Austen's letters and those of Dorothy L Sayers are the ones which immediately come to mind. However, I've not found myself marking so many pages of a book with sticky notes before. This volume positively bristles with colourful plastic tabs. There are gems of wisdom and insight in it which I want to be able to read again. At the same time, part of me feels slightly uncomfortable at having read this lifetime of correspondence. Steinbeck did not write to his wife, to his sons or to his friends with an eye to publication. He was a private man and these letters reveal his private thoughts. While I'm not sure that he would have liked the idea of the general public reading his letters, I'm still very glad that the editors - Steinbeck's wife Elaine and his friend Robert Wallsten - thought that putting together the volume was a worthwhile endeavour.

This is highly recommended for writers and for anyone who appreciates Steinbeck's writing, wants more insight into Steinbeck the man and has plenty of time to read a doorstopper of a book.

*The record of this trip became Travels with Charley: In Search of America.(less)

21 likes · like · see review

Dec 02, 2008 Tom Barnes rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: All Readers

Recommended to Tom by: I follow Steinbeck's work

John Steinbeck never wrote an autobiography, but his letters probably reveal more about the writer and the man than an autobiography could have hoped to.
John Steinbeck was everyman, suffered every weakness, stood up to every duty, doubted his own talent, feared the beginning of every new work, and grew with each experience.
In one of his early letters he admitted his shortcomings when he was cornered by academia. He hated the idea of proper spelling and punctuation for a clean manuscript in his f...more
John Steinbeck never wrote an autobiography, but his letters probably reveal more about the writer and the man than an autobiography could have hoped to.
John Steinbeck was everyman, suffered every weakness, stood up to every duty, doubted his own talent, feared the beginning of every new work, and grew with each experience.
In one of his early letters he admitted his shortcomings when he was cornered by academia. He hated the idea of proper spelling and punctuation for a clean manuscript in his first draft and made the case for letting stenographers slip those commas into their proper places.
A letter he wrote in February 1936 spells out his feelings of inadequacy at the beginning of a new project. And that form of self-doubt reoccurs throughout the book. But almost in the same breath he admits that he loves the writing once he gets down to work.
He also had trepidations about dealing with death. In a letter to a friend that had just lost his mother Steinbeck shares a feeling of inadequacy that most of us feel when he says, ‘there’s nothing for the outsider to do except stand by and maybe indicate that the person involved is not so alone as the death always makes him think he is.’
In an April 29, 1948 letter he says he’s about to embark on a marathon book about the Salinas Valley, the one he’s been training for all of his life.
And it becomes obvious that Steinbeck used a long gestation period to work up to that major project, for it was more than two years later, August 30, 1950, when he again mentions the Salinas Valley story. Apparently though he was still on track and moving toward the beginning of that new work.
Then in a letter written to Mr. and Mrs. Elia Kazan from Nantucket July 30, 1951 Steinbeck indicates that he is presently six hundred pages into the book, but still has three or four hundred pages to go. And in that letter he announced the title as East of Eden. He also goes on to tell how perfect it is for the book. It comes from the first sixteen verses of the Fourth Chapter of Genesis. The title comes from the sixteenth verse, but he says the whole passage is applicable.
In a letter April 18, 1952 he mentions Kazan and the House Un-American Activities Committee. Said he read Kazan’s full statement to the congress and hoped that the communist and second raters don’t cut him to pieces.
Then on June 17, 1952 he said Kazan called that morning from Paris and was absolutely crazy about East of Eden and wants to do it. He also said the American communist and the Hollywood left had done their best to destroy him. His conscience was clear though for he had only given the facts to the congress and he could live with that truth.
In 1955 Elia Kazan produced and directed the film, East of Eden.
Steinbeck was always generous in sharing, his thoughts and some of the methods he used when writing, with other writers.
A letter dated December 7, 1956 he said, ‘…the more one learns about writing, the more unbelievably difficult it becomes. I wish to God I knew as much about my craft, or what ever it is, as I did when I was 19 years old. But with every new attempt, frightening though it may be, is the wonder and the hope and the delight.’
In a letter written to Kazan on October 14, 1958 he sums up his love for writing. ‘…I like to write. I like it better than anything. That’s why neither theatre nor movies really deeply interest me. It’s the fresh clear sentence or thought going down on paper for the first time that makes me pleased and fulfilled.’
Those are just a few notes from a writer’s perspective that I came away with and I’m sure you’ll come away with a set of your own.
The book is so rich in day to day living that you almost forget that you are in the presence of a man that over his writing career had won a room full of awards along with the Nobel Prize for literature in 1962.
Tom Barnes author of The Goring Collection.

(less)

1 like · like · see review

Oct 22, 2009 Monty J Heying rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography

This 900-page tome contains rare insights into Steinbeck's life and his views on writing and the creative process. Well worth the time if one is interested in these subjects.

The content is chiefly Steinbeck's letters; so he is the author, but editorial comments are carefully distributed throughout, along with occasional excerpts from related correspondence. This is a selection of correspondence initiated by Steinbeck, chosen and edited with loving care by Elaine, his third wife, and Robert Walls...more

like · see review

Jun 09, 2013 Teri Temme rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a gift to be able to read the thoughts of an author as he wrote them! What a fascinating life he led. I am so thankful to his wife for putting this together. As a woman, it was especially interesting to read his thoughts on women. Interesting. I am continually fascinated by why people do what they do, so being able to actually "hear" from the source was wonderful. This method of telling a story is compelling - I wish there were more of them!

This quote is one of my favorites from the book:...more

like · see review

Jun 25, 2012 Joseph rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Say what you may about the accessability of today's digital correspondence, but there's something about the letters of a bygone era that you simply don't see today. I was struck by this passage in a letter from Steinbeck to his friend and Manhattan neighbor, film director Elia Kazan: "And then, without announcement they (words) began assembling quietly and they slipped down my pencil to the paper... My love and respect and homage for my language is coming back. Here are proud words and sharp wor...more

like · see review

May 29, 2010 Tonya rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I've been working on this book a long time-- a year or better. I would read a little here and there. I found it fascinating and couldn't put it down at times. But, I would force myself to only read a letter or two at a time because it was just something to be savored. Last night, I decided to just go ahead and finish it-- I had 200 pages left. It's good I finished the last 200 pages so quickly. It was depressing. I mean, it's hard to finish a book you have been reading so long and enjoying so mu...more

like · see review

Feb 27, 2011 Steve Miller added it

Steinbeck has always seemed to be Hemmingway with a heart, and this lengthy collection of letters to friends, agents, sons, presidents (LBJ, Kennedy, FDR) wives and other family and colleagues is full of his philosophies. His letters to his sons, John and Thomas, are most touching in his wise advice, particularly those in which he discusses the Viet Nam war with deployed soldier John. The trajectory takes a reader from the hungry hearted, idealistic writer to the weary sage. The collection was c...more

like · see review

Jul 31, 2008 Margaret rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: memoir-biography

This is an odd book to have on a list of personal standouts, but it's there because, quite apart from being a terrific collection of correspondence from a man who dealt with everything including his own psyche by expressing it in writing to other people, I happened to be reading it during a very bad and lonely patch and suddenly found him articulating exactly what I was feeling and going through. I can still remember the revelation and the relief of discovering someone else had been there and ma...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 14, 2012 Robin rated it 5 of 5 stars

To truly understand a person, read their personal correspondence. This told of his struggles, triumphs, and personal life as a writer. You learn about he man, what he loved most, and hated most. A very intimate and rewarding portrait of my favorite author.

like · see review

Jun 09, 2010 Anj rated it 5 of 5 stars

Another amazing read. John Steinbeck's widow collected many of the polific letter-writer's letters from all over to create this interesting and revealing memoir. It is one of those "can't put it down" reads. Highly recommend it to all Steinbeck fans.

like · see review

Jun 21, 2012 Karen Girardier - Willie rated it 5 of 5 stars

People do not write letters any more, we live in a world of Facebook, Twitter, and text messages. Steinbeck was an amazing writer and it would have been amazing to be on his list of friends and received one of his wonderful letters.

like · see review

Apr 26, 2012 Christian marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Added to my to-read shelve based on this review and excerpt:

http://www.brainpickings.org/index.ph...

like · see review

Jan 16, 2012 Argento rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

All in all, a gem. Although at times, it felt a bit "padded".

like · see review

Feb 26, 2012 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

So far so good. I love Steinbeck even more knowing his fears as a writer and resilience of character.

like · see review

Jan 25, 2011 Mlerro rated it 4 of 5 stars

Difficult to read but worth the effort.

like · see review

Dec 20, 2008 Patty rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Literature and History

Elaine Steinbeck and Robert Wallsten have given a picture not only of Steinbecks life but a history of the country from 1923 thru 1968. They have published his letters to friends, family and the famous. My favorite line will be paraphrased. He could not spell, but said, plenty of people can spell and type, I can write.

like · see review

Oct 11, 2008 Dana Stabenow rated it 5 of 5 stars

If you're interested in what a writer really is, you'll love this book.

like · see review

Apr 08, 2013 Brent Barrett rated it 2 of 5 stars

If you like mundane details, this one is for you.

like · see review

Jun 17, 2013 Kim added it

Jun 17, 2013 Javaria marked it as to-read

Jun 16, 2013 Despa marked it as to-read

Jun 13, 2013 Lorie Kozak marked it as to-read

Jun 09, 2013 Patty marked it as to-read

Jun 09, 2013 Paul Barker rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jun 05, 2013 John Rey marked it as to-read

Jun 04, 2013 Tori Simpson marked it as to-read

Jun 03, 2013 Martine Miljanich rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jun 02, 2013 Cindi marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Jun 02, 2013 Arica Van marked it as to-read

May 31, 2013 Jason marked it as to-read · review of another edition

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 22 23 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (11)

More editions...

Genres

Biography

9 users

Non Fiction

5 users

Autobiography > Memoir

3 users

Literature

3 users

Literature > American

3 users

Language > Writing

2 users

Biography Memoir

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Elaine Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath and Other Writings, 1936-1941 (Library of America #86)

Novels & Stories 1932-37: The Pastures of Heaven/To a God Unknown/Tortilla Flat/In Dubious Battle/Of Mice & Men (Library of America #72)

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About A Life in Letters

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from A Life in Letters

“Many are the stories I have heard about myself. I have mistresses I have never met. When I hear that I am a sodomist and a zoophalist then I shall know that I have reached the high point of fame, but I suppose I can hardly expect such exaltation for many years.” — 9 people liked it

“If you are in love — that’s a good thing — that’s about the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don’t let anyone make it small or light to you.
[…]
If it is right, it happens — The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away.” — 4 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Steinbeck: A Life in Letters
avg rating	preview: Steinbeck: A Life in Letters Goodreads rating: 4.23 (180 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/348837.Steinbeck?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1331855035l/348837.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/348837.Steinbeck?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Steinbeck: A Life in Letters by Elaine Steinbeck[/url]

Steinbeck: A Life in Letters

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website