The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck

by Anne-Marie Paquet-Deyris, Marie-Claude Perrin-Chenour

Alors qu'il décrit dès 1936 les conditions de vie dégradantes des travailleurs saisonniers dans l'Eden trompeur des vergers de Salinas et Bakersfield, Steinbeck prépare les textes virulents qu'il publiera dans le San Francisco News en octobre de la même année sous le titre " The Harvest Gypsies ", puis sous celui de " Dubious Battle in California " dans The Nation en septembre. Et lorsqu'en 1938, après avoir voyagé depuis l'Oklahoma jusqu'en Californie avec des familles entières de fermiers expulsés, il remanie ces articles pour publier son pamphlet Their Blood is Strong, le tracé et le souffle épiques du roman sont déjà là. La voix s'y fait accusatrice et dénonce avec des accents bibliques l'exploitation systématique de la terre et des itinérants. L'évolution singulière de ce texte en fait l'un des objets littéraires les plus fascinants de la culture américaine.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Audiobook, Novels

112 pages, Paperback

First published November 7, 2007

Reviews

[Bill Conrad]

I have read this book twice and watched the movie at least three times. John Steinbeck certainly has the gift of story while balancing it with the ability to capture the horrific problems in society. His characters are deep, real and well rounded. I found myself connecting to them, understanding their problems and wanting them to succeed.
In short, I found this book to be perfect. It embodied the struggle in the depression and showed the world what the true problems were. I got a lot out of this book and I think it should be required reading for everybody. This is not a lighthearted look, but instead a true dive into what happens when society fails. There are many life lessons contained within the pages and this book is certainly a recommended read.

[Wayne Wood]

My mother had a complete series of John Steinbeck novels in our family library. When I got "old enough" she told me I could finally read them. One soon learns why he was one of the few American writers to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

With "Of Mice and Men" "The Grapes of Wrath" is one of my two favorite Steinbeck novels. I used to show the classic John Ford movie version of the book to my economics and history classes to show them the depth of misery experienced in the Great Depression. One can realize why Steinbeck, after living with the "Okies" for months (which led to this book) embraced some of the radical political ideas he embraced.

It wasn't until high school that a great teacher had us read "Of Mice and Men." I had already studied "The Pearl" and "The Red Pony" earlier. I can still remember his opening lecture almost word for word, and borrowed it when I became a teacher later.

He taught us the major theme of all of Steinbeck's writings, that all of men's earthly dreams are doomed to failure. He can be a "downer" - except that as you read him, you realize buried in that gloom is an admiration for the human spirit - in spite of that, man continues to dream. That gives him/her a nobility.

[Shanofer Lebbe]

If you want to read about human suffering, endurance, and the incredible capacity for kindness even in the face of hardship, then read this book.
The pain of leaving the land you belong to, the despair, the grief, and the hope of finding something better are all portrayed so vividly. John Steinbeck has a remarkable ability to make you feel the emotions of an entire generation through the lives of a handful of characters.
Every time they talked about picking peaches or grapes, my heart broke because I knew what was waiting for them.
A true masterpiece.

[Lorraine]

I read this book when in school and wanted to read it again and so pleased I finally did.
I loved this book then and again now!
A great story, very well written, about the Great Depression.
Everyone should read this book.

[Jerry van Beers]

De ware socialistische literatuur. Toch heel aangrijpend.

[Richard Spindle]

It's absolutely brilliant. So good Springsteen made a song from it. That's brilliant, too.

[Tomaz Aquino]

Steinbeck’s portrayal of the Dust Bowl migrants is heartbreaking and beautifully written. At times, though, the narrative can feel overly didactic.

[Andre Smiljic]

None

[Jon]

A staggering work of genius. You can't not read this book.

[Jessica Carty]

I hate that we never find out what happens to Tom. the speculation we are left with is agony. the loss is heart breaking, the life saved is beautiful. the story is beautiful and tragic and raw.

[Matt E]

Audible: B004VMD7BW | Narrators: Dylan Baker | Length: 21:01 | Language: English

[Kyla]

Pulitzer Prize for Fiction winner

[Kayla Plunkett]

When humans can't rely on the government or corporations to take care of them, they have to rely on other humans.

[S C]

It’s as good as they say. A book I’d take to the afterlife to re-read forever.

[Bookmaniac]

Το αριστούργημα ενός φοβερού συγγραφέα. Άρτιο, συγκλονιστικό και βαθιά ανθρώπινο

[Chad]

It is too soon to see if it will be true of me, but this is the kind of book that changes lives. In my pursuit of literature thusfar, I have found nothing else like it. The characters are real, the writing effective, the story compelling, and the sociological context heartbreaking. I was well aware of the circumstances of the depression and the great migration from the dust bowl on an intellectual level, but Steinbeck’s art makes me understand it in a much more visceral manner.

Although some are more fleshed out than others, none of the Joads seem like stock characters. I am far removed from their experiences, but Grampa’s stubbornness, Uncle John’s psychological issues, and Ma’s determination are entirely familiar. The only characters with whom the reader cannot sympathize are the sheriffs and city folk, and even their actions in their own self-interest are understandable.

Steinbeck is not prone to florid prose; most of the book is written in language that would not be overly difficult for his barely literate characters to understand. I do not know whether or not this is intentional. Unless I am missing them, Steinbeck does not make much use of literary devices, but simply tells the story. The exception, the title’s allusion to the Battle Hymn of the Republic and, through it, to Revelation, is quite clear to even the casual reader. In between those chapters of the novel relating the saga of the Joads and their acquaintances are short vignettes showing a different or wider perspective on the phenomenon, and while the story could have stood on its own, I find them very helpful in drawing the reader into the totality of the experience. I generally am annoyed when an author attempts to write out dialogue to mimic the accent of the speakers, but in this case it draws a stark contrast between the rural sharecroppers and many of the people that they meet.

The story of the Joads is, if the foreword to my edition of the book is accurate, based on the lives of real migrants with whom Steinbeck lived while doing research for the book. Thus, it is no surprise that their sad lives are so very human. Ultimately their story differs only in the details from those of their many fellow travelers and the “little folk” of all times and places. The way the novel ends with a climactic moment while leaving the entire story unresolved, just like the underlying realities of the Okies, is a stroke of genius.

The foreword to my edition was written in the midst of a deep recession, when the rich continued to enhance their wealth and everyone else suffered the cruel bludgeoning of the Invisible Hand. He wisely pointed out the similarities between his time and the setting of the novel, but what was true then is moreso today. Steinbeck seemed to be optimistic that in the near future a change would be a-comin’, and the oppressed of the world would rise up against their oppressors. While there has certainly been progress and few people in the United States are literally starving in today’s weak economy, I must imagine that he would be rather disappointed.

[Laura Debenham]

I just re-read this book for about the fourth time. Every time I come away with a sense of wonder for the triumph of the human soul. This time I read it with a sense that it could happen again to us and we would do well as a nation to re-read Steinbeck's works that tell of the trials of the great depression. I'm not sure I could be the stalwart women that Ma and Rosasharn were. The stength that was in these women was remarkable. It was amazing to me that Steinbeck depicted the power in the women. Ma never failed. She watched for her men to break but knew it wasn't an option for her.

I read it in a day, while subbing in a highschool for computer classes. The kids were teasing me as tears were rolling down my cheeks in 6th period. Several of them had read the book but a 16 year old may not have the life experience to recieve the same impact a 44 year old does.

We had a great discussion about it.

[Brandon]

An American Classic. The Depression put into human terms. There are passages in this book that I will never forget. I think that's Steinbeck's greates talent--making you feel like you lived the events he wrote about. I could taste the dust in my teeth and feel the dirt and grime in my clothes as I read some of the passages of this book. It weighed me down. I felt the absolute destitution and hopelessness of the characters, as though I were there. Steinbeck is one of the greatest American writers of all time. Maybe the best.

[Simon]

I still get dry mouthed just thinking of the dust and drought. Steinbeck's triumph over the futility of being poor and out of work. We cannot imagine a time such as this. I only pray that we don't see the likes of a deppression again.

[Michelesmile71]

I read this book in high school as part of our summer reading program. I was so glad that I had a reason to read it because I don't know if I would have on my own. The definition of a classic. This is on my list of books that I would like to read again someday.

[Julie]

This book follows on in a similar story-line to Of Mice and Men - American mid-west to west coast - depression - and the difficulties of trying to make a living in very difficult times. It was great.

[Laurie]

Went back a read this book and found it very insightful for present times.

[Jesse Sierke]

I learned to notice people and interpret their emotional language separately from their sociocultural background.

[Jim]

The story of 1930s migrant laborers who endure endless hardship, yet remain hopeful for the future. Everybody should read it.

[Leah]

liked about 75% of it. The supposed "excellent descriptions" that lasted about 30 pages were not that great...

[Carla]

This is a wonderful book. Very moving story about how the Joad family struggled through difficult times. There are a lot of parallels to the immigrant experience in todays world as well.

[Ellen]

Good, but long and pretty depressing. However, a true classic.

[Jen]

In my top 5. Amazing.

[Terry Lee]

A true classic. Read it.

[Stacy Croushorn]

Great read about the depression.