Justin Monisit’s Reviews > The Grapes of Wrath > Status Update

Can't in good faith so I loved this book, but I can see why someone would. Beautiful prose, but also marred by tangents and a brutally slow pace and excessive southern dialogue that makes it seem more like a play than a novel. Also passive characters (which adds to the themes of the book). So much to love, but unfortunately it doesn't save it entirely for me.

Book is actually getting real good, but I think I know my biggest problem: the characters are way too passive. It probably is more personal preference because that's what adds to the tragedy - they're barely in control of their own lives. But man, sometimes I just want more agency in my characters. Still I think it's deserving of its status. Both things can be true.

I would have finished this book by now but I guess not. It is a masterpiece that I only mildly enjoy (and greatly enjoy in small bursts at some points). It usually doesn't take me long to read things, but the pace and the holiday celebrations challenge that. Is this a case of appreciation more than enjoyment? The filler chapters are amazing though, some of the best I've read. Just not enough of them

A slight lull in the narrative bc of (you guessed it) the pacing, but it does posit an interesting dilemma to the characters. Finally some internal conflict!

Really good chapter, cemented the reason why I love this book because it really takes its time with minute details, going over some of the laden tragedy without explicitly saying their emotions. Was a really long chapter, but I loved getting to know what each character thought.

This book sure takes its time (120 pages and we just got to the inciting incident). But there is so much to enjoy and it is not focused on plot, but rather the intimate moments that bind this family together and how tragic The Great Depression was to many people. Still, best chapters are when he goes full prose mode and stays omniscient rather than focus on the main characters.

Really good actually. I love how the chapters alternate with third person omniscient chapters showing the tragedy of the Great Depression, but I also love how Steinbeck takes time to show these characters living their lives among each other in a slow pace. However - there is way too much slang in the dialogue (which RIP if you're not a native English speaker).

Would have read more but my biggest pet peeve is using dialect in dialogue, especially with a thick accent. And there is SO much dialogue. But the prose is so good here, really taking its time to augment the minute details making for a slow, but rather homely experience to get to know not only the characters, but the world. It feels lived in. Just the dialogue kills me.