It took me roughly half of the book to finally get to know the characters and get into Steinbeck's rhythm, but once I did I found the novel absolutely gripping.

I have struggled with this book before, as I've said, starting it at least three different times and never getting past chapter 3 or 4. That is because this novel has a very slow build. The Joad family does not even begin their journey until maybe a fourth of the way through the book, and their major obstacles don't begin until maybe halfway through. The biggest challenge in reading this is that Steinbeck's narration does not go in depth about what the characters think or feel; because of this, we are forced to get to know each of the characters based on their actions, which takes (at least for me) half the book.

I was tempted to give this book four stars because of the slow beginning, but I think that if I were to re-read the book, knowing all of the characters, I would enjoy it more. Furthermore, the story is so exciting and moving in the second half that it makes up for the more difficult first half. And the ending, while not bringing much resolution to the plot, per se, is one of the most moving endings I've read; I'd say it surpasses East of Eden's conclusion easily.

I recommend this book to everyone. Labor through the first half, because the second half is more than worth the effort.