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The Grapes of Wrath

by John Steinbeck

3.81 · rating details · 136,023 ratings · 5,615 reviews

John Steinbeck's Pulitzer Prize-winning epic of the Great Depression follows the western movement of one family and a nation in search of work and human dignity. Perhaps the most American of American classics.

The novel focuses on the Joads, a poor family of sharecroppers driven from their Oklahoma home by drought, economic hardship, and changes in financial and...more

Paperback, 455 pages

Published January 8th 2002 by Penguin Books (first published 1939)

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Dec 15, 2007

Malcolm David Logan rated it

Recommends it for: people over the age of 30

Whenever I revisit a classic I'm struck by how much more I get out of it now than I did when I was 24 or 19 or, God forbid, 15. Giving a book like the Grapes of Wrath to a 15 year old serves largely to put them off fine literature for the rest of their lives. The depth of understanding and compassion for the human condition as communicated by a book like this is simply unfathomable to those who haven't lived much life yet, but after you've gotten a healthy dose of living, it comes across like ...more

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Oct 02, 2011

Clif Hostetler marked it as to-read · review of another edition

REVIEW FOR Celebrity Death Match Review Elimination Tournament ONLY

My real (normal) review is at this link.

Grapes of Wrath (10) (a.k.a trampling vintage)
versus
Sound and the Fury (23) (a.k.a. soliloquy signifying nothing)

Over in this corner we have Grapes of Wrath (GW) with its clearly defined and understood message: workers unite, blessed are the poor, viva the revolution, his truth is marching on.

Over in the other corner is The Sound and th...more

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May 03, 2007

Drew rated it

Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: fiction, favorites

This is by far my favorite book of all time for several reasons. Steinbeck always creates some of the deepest characters I've ever read. Tom Joad is my favorite character in any piece of literature. His growth from a self-serving ex-con to a Christ-like hero is an embodiment of the entire Joad family. Every time I read his lines to Ma when he says "Every time there is a cop beatin' a guy...look in their eyes Ma, You'll see me" or something like that, I think of that Rage Against th...more

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Jul 19, 2011

Крис rated it

My dad told me that reading this book when he was a young man made him a socialist. Of course, by the time he told me this the old man had shed many of those earlier convictions, as least as far as I could tell, but it gave me a good idea of what to expect when I finally got around to reading it at some point in the late nineties—a portrayal of the inhumane and selfish response of the capitalist minority to the widespread misery and desperation of the laboring majority during those terrible year...moreMy dad told me that reading this book when he was a young man made him a socialist. Of course, by the time he told me this the old man had shed many of those earlier convictions, as least as far as I could tell, but it gave me a good idea of what to expect when I finally got around to reading it at some point in the late nineties—a portrayal of the inhumane and selfish response of the capitalist minority to the widespread misery and desperation of the laboring majority during those terrible years of the Great Slump that touched upon enough personal threads to turn the reader's indignation meter up to white-hot. Who can read of the pigs being slaughtered in a ditch and then coated with quicklime—so that none may benefit from meat that wasn't purchased on the market—without spluttering inside? Or of the men who arm themselves with clubs to go a crackin' some noggins amongst those work-stealing indigents in their proto-hippie squatter's camp without a rage burning inside and a fervent wish that one could be there with a club of one's own to greet the thuggish bastards with a howdy-do? upside of the head?

And yet, I came to the book aware of things that local and state governments and business owners did—loathsome, insensible things—in an effort to maintain some semblance of capitalist order; and perhaps being forewarned in this manner, and living in the era that we do with all that has gone on since those times, some of the original emotional power of Steinbeck's novel has been drained or diminished. It will be interesting to see if the emerging generation—threatened as it is with economic disruption and the perennial prospect of slippage into depression, along with a gloomy potentiality for a recovery back to national prosperity and rising income levels—will find more to inspire or ignite them in Steinbeck's pungent glimpse at the Dirty Thirties; maybe my niece will reveal to me one day that Steinback made me a socialist.

I consider the Salinas Scribe to be a fantastic writer—I love the opening description of how the farmlands of the mid- and southwest were turned into dust bowls, the red earth made dry and lifeless. For my money, the gathering up of the Joad clan and their trip to California—with the intervening snapshots Steinbeck provided of human touches between strangers along that sunset-bound highway paved with injustice—was the best part of the book. Once the journey brought them across the Colorado River—less two crazy-ass grandparents—and into a California that had promised work while delivering servitude, I felt that the story lost some of its tightness—though it allowed the mother's strength to shine—and it was apparent to all heading in that Tom was going to end up spilling more blood and bringing himself once again into the bad graces of the law; the return of the sacrificial prodigal son. Mind you, this is fairly inconsequential stuff, what with all of the book's strengths: in particular, that Steinbeck's earthy and potent prose and hard-bitten characters, his portrayal of a lean and desperate pride, are indelibly done.(less)

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Dec 29, 2008

Tom rated it

Mr Stienbec has writ a remarkable tale His story leaves a feller and a gal sad and disheartened anda appreciaten oftha dtermnation, courage n stenth of da dus bowl Okies. I fel a conect to dare struggles wit what life sometime dishes out to folk. I growed to like tha Joad family like day was my own. Grandma, Grandpa, Tom, Al, Pa, Ma, Rose ASharon, Ruthie, Wimfiel, Connie,preacher became like kin. I kepta wishin and hopin for the famly through all thiere difculties and setbacks I would give t...more

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Jun 12, 2008

Jennifer rated it

*Review contains a partial spoiler*

If you read enough reviews, you'll notice that most of the people who gave this book 1 or 2 stars had to read the book for a high school class. Most of the 4 and 5 star ratings came from those who read it as adults. I recommend listening to those who read it as adults.

Many people hate the ending, but I thought it was great. Creepy? Yes, but there was an immense amount of beauty and generosity in that creepy little ending. At one po...more*Review contains a partial spoiler*

If you read enough reviews, you'll notice that most of the people who gave this book 1 or 2 stars had to read the book for a high school class. Most of the 4 and 5 star ratings came from those who read it as adults. I recommend listening to those who read it as adults.

Many people hate the ending, but I thought it was great. Creepy? Yes, but there was an immense amount of beauty and generosity in that creepy little ending. At one point in the story, Ma tol' Rosasharn that it ain't all about her (most high school kids think everything is all about them, which is probably one reason they couldn't enjoy this book or most other classics they are forced to read). Realizing this at the very end made Rosasharn crack her first smile in ages (at least that's my take on the mysterious smile). I wasn't disappointed in the lack of closure at the end, because the closure came in the middle when Ma said, "Rich fellas come up an' they die, an' their kids ain't no good an' they die out. But we keep a'comin'. We're the people that live. They can't wipe us out; they can't lick us. We'll go on forever, Pa, 'cause we're the people." So you know they will be fine whether life continues to be a struggle or not. They will be better off than the rich man with the million acres they talked about - "If he needs a million acres to make him feel rich, seems to me he needs it 'cause he feels awful poor inside hisself, and if he's poor in hisself, there ain't no million acres gonna make him feel rich, an' maybe he's disappointed that nothin' he can do'll make him feel rich." Another good quote is "I'm learnin' one thing good...If you're in trouble or hurt or need - go to the poor people. They're the only ones that'll help - the only ones." I saw a special on 20/20 around Christmas time about how the lower class are more generous overall than the middle and upper class, so this still applies today. Would anyone like my savings account? I think I'm going to give poverty a shot : )(less)

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Oct 01, 2010

Gary rated it

Isn't THE GRAPES OF WRATH just wonderful!!!!???? You've not read it??? Shit!!!! You don't know what you're missing!!!!!!!! If you've read it, then you will know exactly what I am talking about.

I have lived on, or close to old route 66 for over 20 years of my life. I love the history of THE MOTHER ROAD. However, believe it or not, it was only in the past few years that I finally read this book! I had read other Steinbeck,and loved it,and for some reason, after owning a copy of the...moreIsn't THE GRAPES OF WRATH just wonderful!!!!???? You've not read it??? Shit!!!! You don't know what you're missing!!!!!!!! If you've read it, then you will know exactly what I am talking about.

I have lived on, or close to old route 66 for over 20 years of my life. I love the history of THE MOTHER ROAD. However, believe it or not, it was only in the past few years that I finally read this book! I had read other Steinbeck,and loved it,and for some reason, after owning a copy of the book since the 1980's, I just never got around to reading it. One of my life's regrets. Once I plowed in, I did nothing, but read till I finished it.....totally spellbound! I love the story of the Joads, with chapters mixed in on life,and history on the highway. The way he describes everything just makes me feel like I was an Okie myself, living it, breathing it, I was on that truck!

After reading it for the very first time,and being totally blown away by the ending, I had to finally see the movie. However,after I finished that last page, for the very first time, I immediately turned back to the front of the book,and started reading it again, a 2nd time! Then ,not surprising to me, was the movie's ending is not at all like the book, but the movie is awesome as well. Nobody could have portrayed Tom Joad better then Henry Fonda. I have since read the book numerous times,and then we did it for our bookclub one month. I've rewatched the movie. I've traveled parts of the mother road. I can also recommend to you a fantastic history book on the history of Route 66. I've seen people at Ted Drews in St. Louis with copies of the history book clutched to their chests, because they are doing the route 66 vacation. I will ask them if they have been doing that type of vacation,and if they say yes, the next thing out of my mouth is... "Have you read THE GRAPES OF WRATH??" In most cases their response is yes. If it's no, I tell them they must rush to the nearest bookstore,and get a copy,and read it while on the road. I've had people ask me directions to the nearest bookstore so they can get a copy of the book.

I had to buy a 2nd copy of the book because my original copy is about in shreds. I can't bring myself to throw it away, because when my eyes first experienced this mouth watering, rebel rousing story, it was that copy of the book!!

There's also a book on the history of the novel,and how people in California burned it , if you'd like to know about that other book to read.

Take care! Thanks for putting up with my enthusiasm for a classic piece of literature , such as this!

Gary(less)

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Mar 13, 2008

Jeff rated it

This book was quite a read. It follows a fictional family, the Joads, through some of the darkest days of the depression. The Joads are a family of sharecroppers who have been in Oklahoma for three generations. But now the bank owns the land and due to years of dust storms which caused repeated crop failure the bank has taken possession of the land and the family now has no way to make a living or even a home. They decide to move to California following a handbill that has promised jobs and ...moreThis book was quite a read. It follows a fictional family, the Joads, through some of the darkest days of the depression. The Joads are a family of sharecroppers who have been in Oklahoma for three generations. But now the bank owns the land and due to years of dust storms which caused repeated crop failure the bank has taken possession of the land and the family now has no way to make a living or even a home. They decide to move to California following a handbill that has promised jobs and fortunes to all who come. The only problem is that they are not the only family heading to California. As they arrive in California they are met with extreme poverty and prejudice from the "native" Californians. Labeled "Oakies" and treated as a new generation of serfs, the migrant workers were treated as little more than animals. If you like endings that tie up all the loose strings and leave you with a sense of closure, you are not going to like this book. The ending is very open and you get a sense that you are only seeing a very short window into the family's life.

The main point of the book seemed to me, to be that problems on this scale can not be handled individually, we have to confront them as a society. Whenever the people in the story tried to act individually they were crushed by the powerful. In contrast to this was the experience of the family as they lived in the government camp. The camp was a mini society and despite no presence of "law and order", the camp was neat and orderly. They had their own rules and laws to govern the camp. Also the verses from Ecclesiastes that are quoted by Tom Joad to his mother, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

The humanity of the people depicted was very powerful. They were neither made out to be saints nor sinners. What they were shown to be was people. The desire to better their lives, the hope that they strained to maintain even as the world around them strove to crush it, the tenderness and sometimes the sternness of Ma Joad as she dealt with her children and her husband in striving to keep the family together. All this served to show that these people were no different than the people on the other side who sought to demonize and strip the migrants of their humanity.

I feel that this book with its subject and handling of such an issue is relevant today especially considering the debate surrounding the migrant workers of today. We need to consider, no matter which side of the argument we fall on, that these are people, neither saints nor sinners, just people, with hopes and dreams for a better future for themselves and their families. In this they are no different than us. Also this book serves as a warning that the more we strive to crush a particular group of people, the more we separate ourselves from the humanity in which we so often feel superior.(less)

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Jan 13, 2008

Sanfranannie rated it

Recommended to Sanfranannie by: Deborah Valentine

This book deserves all the praise it's been given.
My mom, a former english teacher, discovered that I hadn't read it and mailed me a copy. Let me say that I'm SO thankful I didn't read it in high school as many have. I can't imagine that I would've appreciated it half as much back then and it's too bad that so many folks have experienced it from that adolescent standpoint (although I do think it should be required reading when learning about the history of the U.S.).

The writi...more

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Jul 05, 2009

Needleroozer rated it

Recommends it for: kids in elementary school who want to look sophisticated carrying around a big book

Shelves: fiction

I read this book in 5th grade. I am not kidding! My teacher asked if any of us had ever read this book (what in the hell was she thinking?), so I went home and said I wanted to read it.

My parents dutifully took me to Waldenbooks in the Acadiana Mall and bought me a copy. For some reason, the copy they bought me included a lot of critical writing about the novel, so the book was HUGE. It was one fat book. I carried it around like the geek that I was (at least I had given up carry...more

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Jan 29, 2012

Chiara Pagliochini rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: classici-americani

Non sarebbe mai venuta la fine finché la paura si fosse tramutata in furore.

Se vi dicono che Furore è un libro sulla Grande Depressione Americana, credeteci, ma non del tutto. Siamo dopo il tracollo finanziario del ’29, storico giovedì nero. Ci sono il Presidente Roosevelt e la sua politica per risollevare gli USA dal tracollo, il celebre New Deal. E c’è nel vostro libro di storia un minuscolo paragrafo che dice così: “la riduzione della produzione agricola prevista dall’Agricultural ...more

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Oct 14, 2007

Hillary Straub rated it

Recommends it for: High school and up

Hillary Straub

Ms. Kuhn

English 3

15 October 2007

Timeline:

1. The main character, Tom Joad, is released from the McAlester State Penitentiary, where he served four years on a manslaughter conviction.

2. On his way home, Joad runs into Jim Casy, the old preacher. They talk for a while and then both head for the Joad farm. When they get there they find it deserted.

3. The Joad family moved in with Tom's uncle John bec...more

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Jul 18, 2008

Emily rated it

Shelves: i-own-it, historical-fiction, the-classics, they-made-a-movie, what-i-read-in-2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Once again, I've fallen into the line of classics, what right do I have to criticize?? But I press on, given that this book was a hell of a lot longer than Of Mice and Men, so I should probably say something.

So I just returned from a two week long road trip. We went from Seattle to Lexington, KY to Smithville TN, to Elmhurst, IL and back to Seattle. Via Yellowstone, Nebraska, and Mt Rushmore of course. Anyway ... in preparation for the trip, I took FOUR books. I only got through one,...more

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Sep 07, 2007

Michelle rated it

I find myself hesitant to give a rating to this book because my opinion on it has changed so much. My first encounter with this book was in high school. I remember being aware that I was reading a "classic" and recognizing the beauty of Steinbeck's use of language; however, I could not bring myself to get past how boring it all seemed. Intermixed with the story of the Joad family there are many lengthy descriptions of the land, the view from the road and animals. To a 16-yr old, these ...more

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Apr 15, 2009

K.D. rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 1001-core, 501, pulitzer, nobel

A well-written classic novel! I could not put it down. People in 3rd world countries would always think that American is the land of milk and honey. This book opened my eyes that sometime in 1930's US of A had that depression that drove the people to famine. The Joads family really inspired me that no matter how difficult life becomes (with the on-going global depression), there will always be a better life waiting for all of us!

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May 30, 2011

Teresa rated it

This book probably deserves 5 stars. It could also rate the encomium of the (so-called) Great American Novel. But I'm giving it 4, because (in a nutshell) I just didn't like it as much as East of Eden.

And while I admired the lyrical chapters that were interspersed between the actual story of the Joad family, sometimes I felt they were a bit too heavy-handed, or superfluous, even interrupting the flow of the narrative -- with exceptions, of course. I understand that these chapters ...moreThis book probably deserves 5 stars. It could also rate the encomium of the (so-called) Great American Novel. But I'm giving it 4, because (in a nutshell) I just didn't like it as much as East of Eden.

And while I admired the lyrical chapters that were interspersed between the actual story of the Joad family, sometimes I felt they were a bit too heavy-handed, or superfluous, even interrupting the flow of the narrative -- with exceptions, of course. I understand that these chapters elevate the story to a 'more' universal level, but I think a straight narrative of the Joad family would've done the same thing, as the Joads are a microcosm of the rest of the migrants. Each member of the family (and each person's hardship and fate) stands for many more.

But the writing in those 'extra' chapters is pure Steinbeck, and the above is not a criticism, but more of a personal preference. In many ways, Steinbeck is like Dickens (a favorite of mine), who is also accused of what I just said of Steinbeck, and who also has a focus on and outrage at social inequalities. Perhaps they are especially alike in that in their so-called 'faults' lies their greatness.

I may not have even brought Dickens into this review, except that at a family party the other day I told my brother who never misses an opportunity to make fun of Dickens to me that I was reading this novel, and though he's never read it, he said: "It's just like Dickens: Please, sir, may I have some more ... dust!" His comparison got me thinking though, and I was reminded of Bleak House, with its social issues and the description of the fog that represents more than can be said with just the straight narrative. One big difference between the two authors, though, is that Steinbeck doesn't tie up all the loose ends -- and I always like that better!

On a superfluous note of my own, I wondered if Casy, the preacher who is not a preacher, might've been a stand-in for the author, at least early on. Some of the 'extra' chapters have the cadence and tone of a preacher, though the 'text' is not that of one.(less)

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Mar 02, 2009

Barbara rated it

I still can't believe I didn't read Grapes of Wrath in American Lit but suspect I enjoyed it more at 52 than 19! I was drawn into this story immediately and especially liked the book's descriptive language, structure, and memorable characters. Casey, the reluctant, questioning preacher was my favorite. I admired the Joads' dignity, perseverance despite all odds, and willingness to share with others equally unfortunate. I was struck by how Steinbeck makes you feel like you're on that journe...more

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Sep 23, 2010

Mike W rated it

Shelves: fiction

Steinbeck's work offers a lovely and vivid account of a family forced by dust storms and poverty to move West during the Great Depression. At times Steinbeck's story-telling is superb. Indeed, when the main narrative is progressing the book is about as good as any novel I have read. The story is marred, however, by tediously didactic passages in which Steinbeck offers moral sermons rather than a good story.

It might be okay--or even praiseworthy--for a novel to be didactic if what it ...more

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Apr 16, 2009

Moody rated it

· review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Usually I read selfishly. To learn. For my erudition. To indulge. For my entertainment. The Grapes of Wrath was different. It’s an important book, not just for me but for everybody. I’m glad this constructed universe of human experience is out there, waiting in the stacks, housed in this brick of ink and pulp. And that children are made to read it. The book shifted something inside me.

When I started, I thought I might give it a poor rating to harass my friend, but I quickly rea...more

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Dec 14, 2008

Michelle added it

This book was a very accurate and informative account of the Great Depression in the 1900's. Written in 1939 by John Steinbeck, it tracks the forced migration of the "Okies" from the eastern states to the west, their final destination being California. Full of hardship and sacrifice, the lives of the migrants are tragic, as is demonstrated in this powerful novel. When the farming migrants finally arrive in California, with promises of high paying jobs and beautiful, lush land, they ...moreThis book was a very accurate and informative account of the Great Depression in the 1900's. Written in 1939 by John Steinbeck, it tracks the forced migration of the "Okies" from the eastern states to the west, their final destination being California. Full of hardship and sacrifice, the lives of the migrants are tragic, as is demonstrated in this powerful novel. When the farming migrants finally arrive in California, with promises of high paying jobs and beautiful, lush land, they are extremely dissapointed to discover the complete lack of job opportunities and the poverty that awaits them. Many are forced to travel from farm to farm, desparately trying to secure a working position. Wealthy landowners employ hundreds at a time to pick fruit from their farms, paying the minimum possible amount for labour. With an abundance of migrants, all in search of work, the farms can get away with paying outrageously low wages. Eventually the "Okies" are forced to steal their meals and many starve as a result of the depression. A tragic story, The Grapes of Wrath is an impressive novel depicting a great social injustice and a fictional family trying to survive through it. Having very limited background knowledge of the depression and what it entailed, I was interested in reading this book and was surprised at its detail. Depressing as it was to read of the migrants in their struggle to get by from day to day in California, I was interested in the nature of their plight and wanted to know how the story would end. This book encouraged me to find out more about the depression in the United States and around the world. I was also interested to read of how much change has occured in the world since that time, which was, surprisingly, not that long ago. The story of the Joad family allowed me to sympathise with the evicted migrants, as few of the Californians did. Despite the tragic atmosphere of this novel, I very much enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to young adults as well as an older audience. (less)

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May 25, 2008

Amy rated it

wow. loved this book. I've read two of Steinbeck's books now and I feel like both books changed my life in some way. This one especially. The end was amazing. I wish all people were more like the Joads, including myself.

The Ghost of Tom Joad by Bruce Springsteen:

Men walkin' 'long the railroad tracks
Goin' someplace there's no goin' back
Highway patrol choppers comin' up over the ridge
Hot soup on a campfire under the bridge
Shelter line stretchin'...more

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May 08, 2007

Sierra rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: everyone breathing

For years people had said that this book was "terrific", "a masterpiece" and so I took it off the shelf at home and eagerly started reading to see if the reviews were true. Perhaps they are understated.

This book is written by a man that truly understands what it is to be human; he understands grief, love, loss, family, and most importantly, I believe, the subtlties of certain looks, words or sighs. He successfully depicts the the migrant Okies of the 1930's in s...more

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Apr 27, 2007

LauraAlex rated it

· review of another edition

I read The Grapes of Wrath as I heard it was meant to be one of the great American Classics. I had only ever read Of Mice and Men by Steinbeck before, so thought this would be a good book to get into some more of his work.

I loved his writing style, the way that chapters specific to the Joad family were interspersed with chapters focusing on the situation as whole, giving the opinions and struggles of a collective identity (the migrant population.)

When reading the novel, y...more

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Aug 07, 2007

timon mcphearson rated it

· review of another edition

i can't believe how good this book is. made me think back to my childhood growing up in indiana, but of course this goes back further in time to the dustbowl. i've just got to interview my old granmother's before they die and find out how my farming family faired during the dustbowl and the depression. this book makes you think hard about what was lost and what we are still losing.

importantly, this book talks about the important connection of man to the land. read wendell berry's...more

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Jul 01, 2007

Sky rated it

· review of another edition

Here is the truth that I know. I hate Steinbeck. I hate him for the eight years of English classes in witch each year we took one of his novels and broke it down to the point the stories were torture. I cannot begin to expound the torture of 1986 and reading the red pony on a beautiful spring days ever in Mrs. Shoemaker’s class and knowing that even then it was a self indulgent story about a boy and his pony is just that, crap…

With this being said, I loved this book. I loved the lite...more

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Jul 11, 2008

Brett rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 03, 2008

Sophia rated it

Excellent Book. I loved the sideline turtle story, the ever present hope, the historical significance...I mean, it's a classic! But jeez was it boring as hell or what?

I wouldn't have read this voluntarily, but in the end I'm glad I was made to read it. I didn't realize that white people had some non-self inflicted struggles in this country too, lol.

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Jun 19, 2011

Nenette rated it

· review of another edition

The chapters were interspersed such that one tells of the general conditions of the Great Depression, then the other one would relate the details of the events in the life of the Joad family. The narratives describing a place, an event, a feeling or emotion were so well written that the reader would feel transported back in time, to the place, made to see the event as it happened, made to feel the emotions. This, no matter if one has to struggle to understand some of the spoken words in contex...more

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Feb 14, 2011

Nobama'12 rated it

I'm about 100 pages into The Grapes of Wrath. I don't know what makes me like this book so much, but for some reason I do. One thing for sure is that the dialogue is the best I've ever read. The characters actually possess, well, character. The accents are slang are only an addition to the already realistic and detailed conversation. Tom Joad is about as a realistic figure as you would've been able to find in the Dust Bowl of the '30's I would imagine, and being able to bring alive such a charac...more

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Dec 14, 2009

Linds rated it

Shelves: 1930s, classic, family, favorites, historical-fiction, midwest, mother-son, movies, oppression, tear-jerker, west-coast, survival

This is the best book I've read in a long time.

When language, story, setting, characters, and plot come together by a master writer something almost spiritual happens and you know you are reading a work of genius.

I never had to read this in high school and I'm actually glad I waited until I had a little more life experience. The injustice and oppression of the long suffering Joads is hard to read at times because their desperation is so tangible.

With the econo...more

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About John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck III was an American writer. He wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Grapes of Wrath, published in 1939 and the novella Of Mice and Men, published in 1937. In all, he wrote twenty-five books, including sixteen novels, six non-fiction books and several collections of short stories.

In 1962 Steinbeck received the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Steinbeck grew u...moreJohn Steinbeck III was an American writer. He wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Grapes of Wrath, published in 1939 and the novella Of Mice and Men, published in 1937. In all, he wrote twenty-five books, including sixteen novels, six non-fiction books and several collections of short stories.

In 1962 Steinbeck received the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Steinbeck grew up in the Salinas Valley region of California, a culturally diverse place of rich migratory and immigrant history. This upbringing imparted a regionalistic flavor to his writing, giving many of his works a distinct sense of place.

Steinbeck moved briefly to New York City, but soon returned home to California to begin his career as a writer. Most of his earlier work dealt with subjects familiar to him from his formative years. An exception was his first novel Cup of Gold which concerns the pirate Henry Morgan, whose adventures had captured Steinbeck's imagination as a child.

In his subsequent novels, Steinbeck found a more authentic voice by drawing upon direct memories of his life in California. Later he used real historical conditions and events in the first half of 20th century America, which he had experienced first-hand as a reporter.

Steinbeck often populated his stories with struggling characters; his works examined the lives of the working class and migrant workers during the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. His later body of work reflected his wide range of interests, including marine biology, politics, religion, history, and mythology.

One of his last published works was Travels with Charley, a travelogue of a road trip he took in 1960 to rediscover America. He died in 1968 in New York of a heart attack and his ashes are interred in Salinas.

Seventeen of his works, including The Grapes of Wrath (1940), Cannery Row (1945), The Pearl (1947), and East of Eden (1952), went on to become Hollywood films, and Steinbeck also achieved success as a Hollywood writer, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Story in 1944 for Alfred Hitchcock's Lifeboat.(less)

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Trivia About The Grapes of Wrath

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Quotes from The Grapes of Wrath

“You're bound to get idears if you go thinkin' about stuff” — 111 people liked it

“...it was her habit to build up laughter out of inadequate materials.” — 103 people liked it

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