Down to a Soundless Sea: Stories

by Thomas Steinbeck

Here is an unprecedented fiction debut that is cause for celebration. Growing up in a family that valued the art of storytelling and the power of oral history, Thomas Steinbeck now follows in his father’s footsteps with a brilliant story collection. Down to a Soundless Sea resonates with the rich history and culture of California, recalling vivid details of life in Monterey County from the turn of the century through the 1930s. Steinbeck accomplishes an amazing his stories have the feel of classic literature, but his haunting voice, forceful narrative drive, and dazzling imagery are unmistakably his own.

In seven stories, Steinbeck traces the fates and dreams of an eccentric cast of characters, from sailors and ranchers, to doctors and immigrants—as each struggles to carve out a living in the often inhospitable environment of rocky cliffs, crashing surf, and rough patches of land along the California coast and the Big Sur. In “Blind Luck,” a wayward orphan finds his calling at sea, only to learn that life must concede to the whims of authority and the ravages of nature. In “Dark Watcher,” with the country at the start of the Great Depression, a professor craves a plausible discovery to boost his academic standing—and encounters the Indian myth of a shadowed horsemen that may ruin his career. “An Unbecoming Grace” tracks the route of a country physician who cares for an ill-tempered cur—but feels more concern for the well-being of the patient’s beleaguered young wife. The collection concludes with “Sing Fat and the Imperial Duchess of Woo,” a novella that follows the tragic love story between a young apothecary and the woman he hopes to marry.

Deeply felt and richly imagined, full of compelling drama and historical authenticity, Down to a Soundless Sea heralds the arrival of a bold new voice in fiction. Thomas Steinbeck has written stories as memorable and rugged as the coastline that inspired them.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Historical Fiction, Literature, Historical

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2002

About the author

Thomas Steinbeck was an American novelist, screenwriter, photographer, and journalist. He published numerous works of fiction, including short stories and novels. He was the oldest son of American novelist John Steinbeck.

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

EVERY BIT AS GIFTED AS HIS DAD

[christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Thom through a mutual friend (who is now passed). This was his first book and first foray into fiction writing - and it is excellent. It is a collection of stories that were sparked from stories that his father (John) used to tell them sitting around the dinner table. Thom says that is how they grew up - telling stories at the dinner table. I highly recommend it.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, which is a collection of short stories that the author has collected or researched over the years, is a promising start. It's hard not to look at Thomas Steinbeck's writing and not think about his illustrious father, John, but Thomas does seem to have a knack for writing too, however rough around the edges it is. There are seven stories in here set between the 1850's and 1930's in the Salinas and Monterey area. My two favorite stories in here are "An Unbecoming Grace," which follows the travels of a local doctor and how his rescuing of a runaway cowboy affects a big change on a local ranch, and "Sing Fat and the Imperial Duchess of Woo," which tells of a former Chinese royal son and his story of love and loss in the Monterey area. The rule of thumb when it comes to these stories is that the longer it is, the better it is. The shorter ones are definitely not as good as the longer ones, but no less interesting. One thing Thomas needs to work on though is smoothing out some of the wordings and transitions a little. Often he uses the "something something something WHEN SUDDENLY..." line, which feels kind of jerky and could have been served better with a new paragraph or the beginning of new section for the story. He accomplishes that in the last story, "Sing Fat," which makes me think this is just a practice run for Thomas' future writing career. And judging by how enjoyable this collection was, I foresee a bright future for John's son.

[Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging collection of tales set mostly in the Big Sur of long ago (also in Pacfic Grove, Salinas, et al.). Thomas Steinbeck is an excellent prose writer and teller of tales. Anyone familiar with the area and interested in the history should find compelling reading here.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes a father casts a shadow for his son that is impossible to escape. Such is the case with this collection of short stories by Thomas Steinbeck, son of John Steinbeck, who wrote some of the most towering novels in the history of American literature, including Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath (which I read in high school), and East of Eden. I was expecting this book by his son to to be an homage to his father's prowess, a series of compelling short stories that would reflect the reputation of such a literary family. This was not the case. Again, I'm reluctant to be too critical of writers, knowing how difficult it is to write well. I managed to finish the book, but it took me two months.

Steinbeck is a native of the Monterey, California region and has a multi-generational family tradition of oral storytelling. This book is his contribution toward preserving some of the stories his family has told and retold through the years, as I understood it. There are only five or six of them in this collection, and often times I found myself baffled by his writing style. T. Steinbeck would use five words when one would do and every verb had an adverb, every noun an adjective. It was like walking through a thick fog to understand what he meant to say with each passing phrase in his stories.

I tried to distance myself from my distaste for his style and appreciate the stories for what they were but even then the reward was only modest. I wanted these stories to connect me to north central California and the history of the people there. But I found them to be too much in the realm of folksy legend, rather campy, and far too overwrought for my liking.

While I can’t recommend this book to anyone, unless you're a fan of what I've described, T. Steinbeck did help me appreciate the craft and skill of the master short storytellers Anton Chekhov, William Trevor, and their like.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book of short stories very much to my liking--just short of the "amazing" tag. The stories are set around the 1930's in and around Monterey, CA; which includes Salinas, Big Sur, Watsonville, and other locales with short forays into Santa Cruz and San Francisco.
With some basis from oral story telling, Steinbeck expands on the stories with a true gift of detailed and colorful writing. He once worked in the movie industry, so one can understand how these writings create pictures in one's mind.
There may be a moral to each story if that is what one wants to fathom from them, but much more of interest is learning how the average and not so average citizens and immigrants fared in the rough and tumble new frontier of the early days of California.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently discovered that John Steinbeck’s son Thomas also authored books. Down to a Soundless Sea is an evocatively-titled collection of short stories primarily about the Big Sur – Monterey – Salinas area during the mid 19th – early 20th centuries. Some of the action also occurs in Gold Country mines, Sacramento, and San Francisco. The seven stories form a many-faceted view of life among various economic and cultural groups during this time period.

Scenarios include fishing villages and their inhabitants, cowhand work, anthropology at an early incarnation of San Jose State University, Native American legend, and the lives of Chinese in the foothills and on the coast. One favorite tale is about a young cowhand who just can’t seem to get the hang of his work because he has too many stories in his head. Another profiles a country doctor in the Monterey area who travels for days in a mule cart to treat all manner of rural patients, including a particularly disagreeable old man with a young and soft-spoken wife. The shipwreck of the Los Angeles off Big Sur also makes for interesting reading, in that it sparks a change of heart in a hard-working survivor.

The audiobook is read with excellent intonation and voicing by Jeff Harding. Stories are presented with appropriate humor, pathos, and irony. Variations in phrasing and pitch let the reader know immediately who is speaking.
If you’ve read John Steinbeck and like the historical fiction aspect of his work—or if you’re curious about his son’s work—or if you want to know more about the history of the Monterey area in easy-to-assimilate short stories, pick up this book for a fine read.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't believe that a son of Steinbeck would actually attempt to write-so had to read it.
T.S. writes a few short stories handed down from Monterrey Bay old-timers. There are a few good yarns but I think I appreciated the content more than I did the actual writing. Can't hold a handle to Dad but gotta give him props for trying.

[Dana Jerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I feel like a square reading this. T. S. is a very proficient author, but he lacks a bit of soul. This book is almost too perfect. There doesn’t seem to be a word out of place, and besides the voice is quite passive. It’s pretty and pleasant no doubt with its well-interwoven long short stories. If your interest is in costal northern Cal, it’s a must read.

[Steph (loves water) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. Almost as good as his dad. I really love short stories, they are harder to write than a book. Thom Steinbeck outdoes himself. I enjoyed every story in here, especially Sing Fat and the Imperial Duchess of Woo. Still crying here.

The apple did not fall far from the tree.

[Ishmael Soledad · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few good tales that are, unfortunately, not well told. Perhaps it is the expectation of being a Steinbeck at fault here. In any event it certainly did not capture me.

An ok read for what I paid for it ($3.99), I'd feel a little less gracious if I had paid more.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT
Iris recommended this book for our meeting in March. Thanks.

[Gary Reads (garysbooksnthings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Stienbeck as good writer as his father John.
I enjoyed all the short stories contained in this but I would have to say the last was somewhat sad.

[Joe Mossa · Rating 4 out of 5]

He is a beautiful writer with a wonderful vocabulary and pure sentences. To attempt to write, with a father like John, took a lot of courage. Thomas was great in his own way.

[KEVIN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Down To a Soundless Sea is a book about a collection of short stories that the author has collected or researched over the years. One of the things that I enjoyed while reading this book was the stories. many stories had very emotional meaning behind it and really caught my attention, some things that I didn’t like about this book was when some of the stories wouldn’t make sense to me and I wouldn’t understand the message that it was sending to the writer. I feel that it was my fault and not the book. I had to read it more than two times to really understand the message it was giving.

This Novel is more for people who love stories of adventures and have a big imagination, for example, one of my cousins who really enjoys watching adventure movies and series is always on his iPad watching a movie of something that has an interesting story of an adventure. I believe this book would be a perfect feat for him because it really connects to the personality that he has, he might not like the book because it is a book and for a young boy, a book isn’t really what he has in mind, but if I explain the book to him, I am sure he will really enjoy it.

One of the quotes that caught my attention from the book was “ At the top of the hill over there to your left is a Que Chew’s Emporium, right next door to old Billy Doonan's Cafe.” (pg 53). What I understood from the quote was that people were traveling far from home only to get to a Cafe up the hill. that made me feel that they were having an adventure just by going out for a coffee.

[Sylvie JS · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of 7 short stories, all set in Northern California. I found them all good and oh so well written, and my favorite is "Blind Luck" one about Chapel Lodge, a poor young person who will find himself enrolled at sea after a night of drinking and will find himself at home. The writing is beautiful, the vocabulary abundant, and the story oh so rich: neglected childhood, friendship, poverty, a shipwreck oh so well described, and a safe if not rosy ending. This book makes you travel in times along the coast, with glimpses of Chinese emigrants in the late 1800s, a poor University professor's life in the 1930s, a respected itinerant doctor in the late 1800s...
In short, a fun & interesting read.

[Karen W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Were I someone with better knowledge of the area, or had family history tied to the stories, I certainly would have rated this higher. I was originally looking for a book by his father John, and stumbled across this one at a book sale. Having visited Big Sur a number of times with a friend whose family helped build Big Sur, and whose cousin is a Post, I felt I just had to know some of the old stories. The first few stories are told rather quickly, and as such were entertaining, the last two were rather long. Personally I think I would have enjoyed it more if there were more, shorter stories. Regardless, if you know the area it is worth the read.

[Thomas McDade · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I would not want to be Thomas Steinbeck. Imagine: you spend half of
your time explaining who you are, the other half explaining who you
aren't, and wait for the inevitable question, "Do you write, too?"
Steinbeck has blazed his own path, acquiring large if quiet success
as a photojournalist, cinematographer, and screenwriter. And, yes,
he does write, too. And quite well."

Joe Hartlaub
-The Bookreporter

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was lots of build up with opportunities for pay off, but the pay off never came. The stories often set up something that could go awry, but it always just worked out without a hitch. I wish life could work that way, but good stories unfortunately don’t. Because of this flaw, though, the stories were relaxing and tranquil to read. But they were not page-turners. There wasn’t enough conflict. I still felt attached to some of the characters, though, and there were some bits of nice prose.

[Douglas Harold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Thomas Steinbeck had big shoes to fill with his famous father but this book goes to show that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. The Monterey area has always held a fondness for me and I truly enjoyed reading stories from this area.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously riding on his dad's coattails. The writing is unintentionally self-conscious, but I couldn't stop reading because I love Big Sur and the Central Coast and couldn't bear to leave that world, even in my imagination.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written, by John Steinbeck’s son. I enjoyed this collection of stories about the denizens of the Big Sur area. The author’s note provided a fun glimpse into what it was like growing up in the Steinbeck household.

[Zoe Rayner · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was maybe one story in this book that I liked. I expected more from the son of John Steinbeck, but these stories just seemed flat, there was no real character connection or development, I really didn't care what happened to any of them. The writing style was just boring and I think I drifted off to sleep a few times. I had to force my way through it because I hate to leave a book unfinished.

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories are a favorite of mine and this collection was a sweet rendering of life in the Monterrey area by Thomas Steinbeck who grew up in Salinas.

[KatieT · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! He writes so much like his father it was like discovering a new John Steinbeck book.

[Luis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a well written and entertaining collection of short stories. As a huge fan of John Steinbeck, I found Thomas Steinbeck's prose beautiful and descriptive while being fresh throughout the stories.

[Donny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book I grabbed secondhand due to my soft spot for the sea. I liked how the stories all circulated around the same era and coastline, but they were all only sound reads and there was nothing stand out to the point I would actively look for anymore works by Thomas. After reading 'In The Heart Of The Sea' just a short time before, chances were slim anyway.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Down to a Soundless Sea, Stories, Thomas Steinbeck (3.5)
Since we’ve moved to the Central Coast of California recently and just started to deeply investigate the area, I found these short stories particularly interesting. Mr. Steinbeck admits in the Author’s Note that his family would indulge their storytelling abilities at gatherings – led by his famous father, John Steinbeck. Most of these stories have JS’s feel of the area, the characters and often a sense of sadness you find in his famous books. The stories weave names familiar to us now (Cruickshank, Post, Pfeiffer, etc.) as they were real people who worked and lived in the area in the late 1800’s. There are also several characters from the diverse cultures that settled in this area, from the Chinese to the Filipinos and the industries that drew them such as shipping and mining. One of the longer stories (‘Blind Luck’) reminded me of ‘Two Years Before the Mast’, the excellent telling of Richard Henry Dana’s experiences in the shipping industry along the California coast. Overall I really enjoyed the history lessons palatably served as touching stories and I believe, through these stories, we are privy to the fireside stories told by and to Thomas Steinbeck.

[Nigel Pinkus · Rating 2 out of 5]

This mainly unappealing collection of short stories and novella's draw on folklore and historical research of Steinbeck. Some of the stories were good, but this reader got impatient with the story telling and didn't enjoy many of the characters in many of the different stories. Great books grab hold of the reader and won't let go of you until you are either thoroughly exhausted or you have finished it. In this collection of stories the writer failed to hold this reader's attention with only two stories standing out. It left this reader to really struggled with the rest of the stories. "Blind Luck" and the "Night Guide" were good stories that this reader enjoyed, but this reader didn't enjoy many of the other such as, "Sing Fat and the Imperial Duchess of Woo" or "The Wool Gatherer" just to name a few. This person regretfully acknowledges the passing of the author, particularly after writing a scathing review. John Steinbeck, his father, wrote some excellent works that this person studied at school in Australia when he was a young lad. These included, but weren't limited to, "The Pearl", "Of Mice and Men" while, "East of Eden" and "The Grapes of Wrath" were also well known too. This collection, on the other hand, I am sorry to say wasn't for me.

[Re · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm perhaps generous with my stars, but I'm reviewing this so highly based on the merits of the stories and their vividness of place. At times it feels like Steinbeck is trying too hard. His writing style is complex and at times overburdened with adjectives. But, by golly, he does know how to write a wry metaphor (among many other gifts). His stories are MEMORABLE - and by turns wise, sad, and funny. I'll remember each story - vividly.

I don't know much about the setting of these yarns (feeling a bit of the throwback vibe of the locales) but have an interest in sea stories as well as distant family connections to the area around Carmel. Those are reasons I picked up the book. I wasn't disappointed.

One of the greatest risks in committing to a book is wondering whether the author's sensitivity will be worth the time and emotional investment. It quickly became apparent that I could trust Steinbeck's intentions - not only as a writer, but as a person and explicator of human nature and human experience. He's wise and compassionate - in spades. Read this book.