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John Steinbeck: Novels and Stories 1932�1937
John Steinbeck, from the very start of his career, evoked the landscape and people of central California with lyrical intensity and unflinching frankness. The Library of America presents for the first time in one volume Steinbeck’s early writings, which expressed his abiding concerns for community, social justice, and the elemental connection between nature and human society. In prose that blends the vernacular and the incantatory, the local and the mythic, these five works chart Steinbeck’s evolution into one of the greatest and most enduring popular of American novelists.
The Pastures of Heaven (1932), a collection of interrelated stories, delineates the troubled inner lives and sometimes disastrous fates of families living in a seemingly tranquil California valley. The surface realism of Steinbeck’s first mature work is enriched by hints of uncanny forces at work beneath.
“Deep down it’s mine, right to the center of the world,� says Salinas Valley farmer Joseph Wayne about his land in John Steinbeck’s To a God Unknown (1933). A sense of primeval magic dominates the novel as the farmer reverts to pagan nature worship and begins a tortuous journey toward catastrophe and ultimate understanding.
Steinbeck’s sympathetic depiction of the raffish paisons of Tortilla Flat (1935), a ramshackle district above Monterey, first won him popular attention. The Flat’s tenderhearted, resourceful, mildly corrupt, over-optimistic characters are a triumph of life-affirming humor.
In Dubious Battle (1936) plunges into the political struggle of the 1930s and paints a vigorous fresco of a migrant fruit-pickers� strike. Anticipating the collective portraiture of The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck poignantly traces the surges and shifts of group behavior.
With Of Mice and Men (1937), Steinbeck secured his status as one of the most influential American writers. Lennie and George, itinerant farmhands held together in the face of deprivation only by the frailest of dreams, have long since passed into American mythology. This novel, which Steinbeck called “such a simple little thing,� is now recognized as a masterpiece of concentrated emotional power.
The Pastures of Heaven (1932), a collection of interrelated stories, delineates the troubled inner lives and sometimes disastrous fates of families living in a seemingly tranquil California valley. The surface realism of Steinbeck’s first mature work is enriched by hints of uncanny forces at work beneath.
“Deep down it’s mine, right to the center of the world,� says Salinas Valley farmer Joseph Wayne about his land in John Steinbeck’s To a God Unknown (1933). A sense of primeval magic dominates the novel as the farmer reverts to pagan nature worship and begins a tortuous journey toward catastrophe and ultimate understanding.
Steinbeck’s sympathetic depiction of the raffish paisons of Tortilla Flat (1935), a ramshackle district above Monterey, first won him popular attention. The Flat’s tenderhearted, resourceful, mildly corrupt, over-optimistic characters are a triumph of life-affirming humor.
In Dubious Battle (1936) plunges into the political struggle of the 1930s and paints a vigorous fresco of a migrant fruit-pickers� strike. Anticipating the collective portraiture of The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck poignantly traces the surges and shifts of group behavior.
With Of Mice and Men (1937), Steinbeck secured his status as one of the most influential American writers. Lennie and George, itinerant farmhands held together in the face of deprivation only by the frailest of dreams, have long since passed into American mythology. This novel, which Steinbeck called “such a simple little thing,� is now recognized as a masterpiece of concentrated emotional power.
922 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1994
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473 people want to read
About the author
John Steinbeck
950Ìýbooks24.9kÌýfollowersJohn Ernst Steinbeck was an American writer. He won the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature "for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humor and keen social perception". He has been called "a giant of American letters."
During his writing career, he authored 33 books, with one book coauthored alongside Edward F. Ricketts, including 16 novels, six non-fiction books, and two collections of short stories. He is widely known for the comic novels Tortilla Flat (1935) and Cannery Row (1945), the multi-generation epic East of Eden (1952), and the novellas The Red Pony (1933) and Of Mice and Men (1937). The Pulitzer Prize–winning The Grapes of Wrath (1939) is considered Steinbeck's masterpiece and part of the American literary canon. By the 75th anniversary of its publishing date, it had sold 14 million copies.
Most of Steinbeck's work is set in central California, particularly in the Salinas Valley and the California Coast Ranges region. His works frequently explored the themes of fate and injustice, especially as applied to downtrodden or everyman protagonists.
During his writing career, he authored 33 books, with one book coauthored alongside Edward F. Ricketts, including 16 novels, six non-fiction books, and two collections of short stories. He is widely known for the comic novels Tortilla Flat (1935) and Cannery Row (1945), the multi-generation epic East of Eden (1952), and the novellas The Red Pony (1933) and Of Mice and Men (1937). The Pulitzer Prize–winning The Grapes of Wrath (1939) is considered Steinbeck's masterpiece and part of the American literary canon. By the 75th anniversary of its publishing date, it had sold 14 million copies.
Most of Steinbeck's work is set in central California, particularly in the Salinas Valley and the California Coast Ranges region. His works frequently explored the themes of fate and injustice, especially as applied to downtrodden or everyman protagonists.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 17, 2008
What's not to love about a collection of stories that contains the classic Of Mice and Men? But this typically beautiful edition from the Library of America is so much more. It contains Steinbeck's earliest writings, ranging from the the pastoral (The Pastures of Heaven)and the poetic (To A God Unknown), to outright slapstick (Tortilla Flat). But the real sleeper in here is one of the longest stories, In Dubious Battle, the story of two self-proclaimed radicals who help organize apple pickers in California. This is the darker side of The Grapes of Wrath, and Steinbeck's politics are at their most visible, volatile and exciting. From the very start, Steinbeck's narrative voice was already distinctly his own. You'll hear the storm clouds roll in through the Salinas valley, spit the arid soil out of your mouth, and smell the beans and beef cooking in worker camps. Terrific stuff.
October 19, 2019
It has been said that Steinbeck used short novels such as these as something of a warm-up to the great work, "The Grapes of Wrath". Reading this collection, I support that theory. "The Pastures of Heaven" is interesting for the way Steinbeck weaves a central theme through a diverse, yet tangentially related collection of stories. "To A God Unknown" is a strange, weird, unusual work, a thing shadowing the borders of myth and fairy tale. "Tortilla Flat" is a full-on great book, the characters unforgettable; it is a vastly entertaining small book; the fact that it is likely based on actual people and events makes it all the more interesting. "In Dubious Battle" is surely a preliminary document, Steinbeck flexing his social consciousness, working out themes and ideas we would see again. What can one say about "Of Mice and Men"? A sad, moving, achingly poignant story, dealing in age-old themes that continue to quietly resonate. Reading this volume is assuredly time well spent.
November 20, 2017
This volume contains five of Steinbeck's earlier, generally less well-known novels and novellas.
The Pastures of Heaven is a loosely constructed narrative concerning a fictional rural area known, surprisingly enough, as the pastures of heaven. Each chapter moves on from the last to focus on a different character, with occasionally some interplay between chapters.
Tortilla Flat (concerning a working class Mexican neighborhood near Monterey, California) has the same structure, with the added element of overt comedy which sometimes is quite funny.
To a God Unknown is the story of an extended farming family in Steinbeck country, and, to my mind, is not particularly memorable.
In Dubious Battle is the only explicitly political novel in this group. It is the story of a group of union organizers from a radical union similar to the International Workers of the World, also known as the "Wobblies." Surprisingly enough for Steinbeck, who spent the better part of his life as a Communist sympathizer if not an actual member of the party, the book is strongly critical of the zealotry of the union organizers, who use workers, outside supporters, and each other shamelessly to advance the cause, even when their actions will lead to the destruction of a family's livelihood or even the death of a man. This novel throws considerable light on why Steinbeck never truly joined the radicals despite being sympathetic to their cause.
Finally, Of Mice and Men is the famous story of Lennie, the mentally-impaired man who is too strong and too uncontrollable to live in ordinary society, and his friend George, who desperately tries to save Lennie while keeping his own workingman's dream of a farm of his own alive.
It was surprising to me that The Red Pony was omitted from this volume despite being written during the period (1932 - 1937) the volume covered. The Red Pony often is regarded as a children's story because the main character is still a child, but to my mind it has some real bite to it, and is far superior to most of Steinbeck's overly-sentimental ouevre. Perhaps the editors of the Library of America couldn't acquire rights to this book, or perhaps they simply disagreed with my assessment.
The Pastures of Heaven is a loosely constructed narrative concerning a fictional rural area known, surprisingly enough, as the pastures of heaven. Each chapter moves on from the last to focus on a different character, with occasionally some interplay between chapters.
Tortilla Flat (concerning a working class Mexican neighborhood near Monterey, California) has the same structure, with the added element of overt comedy which sometimes is quite funny.
To a God Unknown is the story of an extended farming family in Steinbeck country, and, to my mind, is not particularly memorable.
In Dubious Battle is the only explicitly political novel in this group. It is the story of a group of union organizers from a radical union similar to the International Workers of the World, also known as the "Wobblies." Surprisingly enough for Steinbeck, who spent the better part of his life as a Communist sympathizer if not an actual member of the party, the book is strongly critical of the zealotry of the union organizers, who use workers, outside supporters, and each other shamelessly to advance the cause, even when their actions will lead to the destruction of a family's livelihood or even the death of a man. This novel throws considerable light on why Steinbeck never truly joined the radicals despite being sympathetic to their cause.
Finally, Of Mice and Men is the famous story of Lennie, the mentally-impaired man who is too strong and too uncontrollable to live in ordinary society, and his friend George, who desperately tries to save Lennie while keeping his own workingman's dream of a farm of his own alive.
It was surprising to me that The Red Pony was omitted from this volume despite being written during the period (1932 - 1937) the volume covered. The Red Pony often is regarded as a children's story because the main character is still a child, but to my mind it has some real bite to it, and is far superior to most of Steinbeck's overly-sentimental ouevre. Perhaps the editors of the Library of America couldn't acquire rights to this book, or perhaps they simply disagreed with my assessment.
June 23, 2007
The Pastures of Heaven - interesting compilation of fable-like stories - harsh reality mixed with serendipity - irony between beauty of environs and ugliness of human occupation, framed in the social structure of an early rural town in California. Easily digestible as separate themes, but challenging to fit into a unifying idea as a book.
To a God Unknown - very visceral descriptions of man's real or imagined relationship with nature - seems accessible to a wide range of audience, from appreciative of a sunset to tree-hugging paganistic naturalist - and by the end Steinbeck's ability to grip the reader with empathy sort of makes you want to walk off into the woods with Walden and a pocketknife to ponder your place with nature for a few weeks.
To a God Unknown - very visceral descriptions of man's real or imagined relationship with nature - seems accessible to a wide range of audience, from appreciative of a sunset to tree-hugging paganistic naturalist - and by the end Steinbeck's ability to grip the reader with empathy sort of makes you want to walk off into the woods with Walden and a pocketknife to ponder your place with nature for a few weeks.
March 7, 2022
These Library of America anthologies are great for really digging into a great author’s works. This one covers Steinbeck’s output over five years beginning in 1932, beginning with his first novel, The Pastures of Heaven, and ending with the classic Of Mice and Men, which I hadn’t read since high school. Also included are , Tortilla Flat (which I also read in my teens) and In Dubious Battle.
I read this book aloud to my wife at every night over the course of two months. Most nights I was able read only a few pages before the melody of Steinbeck’s prose lulled her to sleep. Steinbeck’s lush and beautiful writing can deceive, masking the disturbingly dark themes underlying the words.
The Pastures of Heaven � The novel, Steinbeck’s second, is a series of loosely connected short stories about the people of California’s Salinas Valley, their struggles, their success and their failures. Steinbeck imbues his stories with pathos and poignancy.
To a God Unknown � Full of symbolism and allegory, this was Steinbeck’s third novel and, having taken half a dozen years to write, was obviously a labor of love. It’s a meandering tale about a family that moves from Vermont to California’s Central Valley only to be wiped out by a devastating drought. At its core is its protagonist’s spiritual connection to the land.
Tortilla Flat � Paisanos, basically layabouts. I remember really liking this book during my teenaged, “wouldn’t it be nice if I could go through life without having to work� phase. I actually tried the lifestyle for awhile. Didn’t work out. And while Steinbeck paints a rather sympathetic, if not romantic, picture of them here, it doesn’t really work out well for these guys either.
In Dubious Battle - There’s a whole lot of dialog on this story about an apple-pickers strike, and the more these guys talked the more I came to dislike them. Years ago I covered a teachers� strike as a newspaper during which I found the labor organizers to be every bit as dishonest and ruthless as the worst politicians I ever encountered. They weren’t about helping the county’s teachers; they were using them to advance a larger cause, and they tore a community apart and hurt teachers, parents and students alike. Steinbeck, while obviously sympathetic to his striking apple pickers, doesn’t pull any punches here. The actions of the “Reds,� Mac and Jim very “ends justify the means� and calculating. I don’t want to spoil the ending here, but I will say that I found it pretty spot on.
Of Mice and Men - I read this in high school and remember not caring for it much. Fifty years later, I found it a deeply moving study of the human condition. It was probably a good thing that my wife fell asleep a couple of pages before I finished it because I could barely get the words out.
I read this book aloud to my wife at every night over the course of two months. Most nights I was able read only a few pages before the melody of Steinbeck’s prose lulled her to sleep. Steinbeck’s lush and beautiful writing can deceive, masking the disturbingly dark themes underlying the words.
The Pastures of Heaven � The novel, Steinbeck’s second, is a series of loosely connected short stories about the people of California’s Salinas Valley, their struggles, their success and their failures. Steinbeck imbues his stories with pathos and poignancy.
To a God Unknown � Full of symbolism and allegory, this was Steinbeck’s third novel and, having taken half a dozen years to write, was obviously a labor of love. It’s a meandering tale about a family that moves from Vermont to California’s Central Valley only to be wiped out by a devastating drought. At its core is its protagonist’s spiritual connection to the land.
Tortilla Flat � Paisanos, basically layabouts. I remember really liking this book during my teenaged, “wouldn’t it be nice if I could go through life without having to work� phase. I actually tried the lifestyle for awhile. Didn’t work out. And while Steinbeck paints a rather sympathetic, if not romantic, picture of them here, it doesn’t really work out well for these guys either.
In Dubious Battle - There’s a whole lot of dialog on this story about an apple-pickers strike, and the more these guys talked the more I came to dislike them. Years ago I covered a teachers� strike as a newspaper during which I found the labor organizers to be every bit as dishonest and ruthless as the worst politicians I ever encountered. They weren’t about helping the county’s teachers; they were using them to advance a larger cause, and they tore a community apart and hurt teachers, parents and students alike. Steinbeck, while obviously sympathetic to his striking apple pickers, doesn’t pull any punches here. The actions of the “Reds,� Mac and Jim very “ends justify the means� and calculating. I don’t want to spoil the ending here, but I will say that I found it pretty spot on.
Of Mice and Men - I read this in high school and remember not caring for it much. Fifty years later, I found it a deeply moving study of the human condition. It was probably a good thing that my wife fell asleep a couple of pages before I finished it because I could barely get the words out.
January 22, 2021
To A God Unknown
My first foray into Steinbeck, I know unbelievable. (or is it believable?)
I have many favorite spots out in the local woods. One is along the Deerfield River, a small stream works its way through many moss covered boulders and into the Deerfield. Although it is visited by many I consider it a magical spot, torn from the past and left for me. Much like the clearing Joseph and Elizabeth found.
The book starts out as just a farming leaving Vermont when his father dies and moving to California but quickly turns into a study of faith, belief, missing one father and mans relation to nature. Such dense characters and unexpected plot changes kept me reading. Though a difficult read because of Steinbeck lush older style writing, after reading about Burtons brutal actions against Joseph, I stayed up until the late hours finishing it.
Father Angelo's closing scene was beautiful. One could see this as a stunning wide screen black and white film with the right director.
My first foray into Steinbeck, I know unbelievable. (or is it believable?)
I have many favorite spots out in the local woods. One is along the Deerfield River, a small stream works its way through many moss covered boulders and into the Deerfield. Although it is visited by many I consider it a magical spot, torn from the past and left for me. Much like the clearing Joseph and Elizabeth found.
The book starts out as just a farming leaving Vermont when his father dies and moving to California but quickly turns into a study of faith, belief, missing one father and mans relation to nature. Such dense characters and unexpected plot changes kept me reading. Though a difficult read because of Steinbeck lush older style writing, after reading about Burtons brutal actions against Joseph, I stayed up until the late hours finishing it.
Father Angelo's closing scene was beautiful. One could see this as a stunning wide screen black and white film with the right director.
February 4, 2018
The first three books are good. Do not expect happy endings, that is not his style. In Dubious Battle and Of Mice and Men are very good. I had previously read the Grapes of Wrath. I consider that a classic. Of Mice and Men reaches that category. In Dubious Battle is almost as good. The style is somewhat nonchalant but very easy. The high points just suddenly spring forward.
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March 24, 2021I really enjoyed "to a God unknown" book. It tempts you to think more about people's interest and how nature makes an important role in a nature lovers' life. Every single sentence of the book is pensive. I recommend the book.
January 9, 2018
Steinbeck has always thrilled me with his prose.
February 28, 2024
Childhood classic
February 20, 2025
I read only Of Mice and Men tho�
Interesting ending, but it was hard for my teacher to read with the amount of n-words it has ðŸ¤
Interesting ending, but it was hard for my teacher to read with the amount of n-words it has ðŸ¤
May 3, 2009
I consider it quite a strange experience to read Steinbeck, it is not that he has an awkward style or is difficult to read; it is rather the opposite, as qua language use he is sober, the depth he achieves though is tantalizing and as such when reading these works we are offered clever constructs of social realism that show both the world and the individual as mutually wrapped up in one another.
Especially outstanding here are “In a dubious battle� and “Of mice and men�. The former deals with a communist group trying to fight for the rights of apple pickers in California and immediately we are confronted with a world that cannot hold revolution. It is not so much that the farm-lords are doing everything possible to quell rebellion, much rather it is the workers themselves who cannot hold the revolution within their own self and as such the battle is not so much against the system, but more importantly against the working-group itself.
“Of mice and men� is also about a battle but of a very different kind; and though there is an obvious worker-setting, the story is not as much a work of Social Realism, but much rather something that may be called ‘Socio-Metaphysical Realism� as it does not deal with the standard fare of social issues and interactions. The beauty of the story is that in so short a number of pages and so simple a tale, Steinbeck really manages to go deep into the human psyche and deliver an emotional punch that is much different than an operatic apotheosis, but works more like a slow fading, like the dying embers of a fire.
Especially outstanding here are “In a dubious battle� and “Of mice and men�. The former deals with a communist group trying to fight for the rights of apple pickers in California and immediately we are confronted with a world that cannot hold revolution. It is not so much that the farm-lords are doing everything possible to quell rebellion, much rather it is the workers themselves who cannot hold the revolution within their own self and as such the battle is not so much against the system, but more importantly against the working-group itself.
“Of mice and men� is also about a battle but of a very different kind; and though there is an obvious worker-setting, the story is not as much a work of Social Realism, but much rather something that may be called ‘Socio-Metaphysical Realism� as it does not deal with the standard fare of social issues and interactions. The beauty of the story is that in so short a number of pages and so simple a tale, Steinbeck really manages to go deep into the human psyche and deliver an emotional punch that is much different than an operatic apotheosis, but works more like a slow fading, like the dying embers of a fire.
August 6, 2012
IN DUBIOUS BATTLE (dec 24 - jan 8)
'All the time at home we were fighting, fighting something - hunger mostly. My old man was fighting the bosses. I was fighting the school. But always we lost. And after a long time I guess, it got to be part of our mind-stuff that we always would lose. ... can you see the hopelessness in that?' (page 549)
OF MICE AND MEN (jul 23 - aug 5)
'George's voice became deeper. He repeated his words rhythmically as though he had said them many times before. "Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place. They come to a ranch an' work up a stake, and the first thing you know they're poundin' their tail on some other ranch. They ain't got nothing to look ahead to."
Lennie was delighted. "That's it - that's it. Now tell how it is with us."
George went on. "Whit us it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. ..."
Lennie broke in. "But not us! An' why? Because ... because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why." ...
"Go on now, George!"
...
"we're gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an' a cow and some pigs and -"
...
Lennie shouted. "And have rabbits. Go on George! ... (pages 806-7)
'All the time at home we were fighting, fighting something - hunger mostly. My old man was fighting the bosses. I was fighting the school. But always we lost. And after a long time I guess, it got to be part of our mind-stuff that we always would lose. ... can you see the hopelessness in that?' (page 549)
OF MICE AND MEN (jul 23 - aug 5)
'George's voice became deeper. He repeated his words rhythmically as though he had said them many times before. "Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place. They come to a ranch an' work up a stake, and the first thing you know they're poundin' their tail on some other ranch. They ain't got nothing to look ahead to."
Lennie was delighted. "That's it - that's it. Now tell how it is with us."
George went on. "Whit us it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. ..."
Lennie broke in. "But not us! An' why? Because ... because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why." ...
"Go on now, George!"
...
"we're gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an' a cow and some pigs and -"
...
Lennie shouted. "And have rabbits. Go on George! ... (pages 806-7)
August 15, 2016
Junto con Nathanael WEST y James AGEE,
es uno de los escritores más notables del periodo post-Gran Depresión en EEUU, cuando la desilusión y la crÃtica social directa se hicieron el tema principal de la literatura.
Este libro, bellamente editado por la , incluye los primeros trabajos de John STEINBECK, a lo largo de los cuales se nota claramente cómo fue desarrollando su estilo y encontrando su voz.
Las novelas que comprende este tomo son (seguir las ligas para leer mis comentarios a cada libro):
Este libro, bellamente editado por la , incluye los primeros trabajos de John STEINBECK, a lo largo de los cuales se nota claramente cómo fue desarrollando su estilo y encontrando su voz.
Las novelas que comprende este tomo son (seguir las ligas para leer mis comentarios a cada libro):
The Pastures of Heaven
To a God Unknown
Tortilla Flat
In Dubious Battle
Of Mice & Men
July 10, 2007
I read "Of Mice and Men" and "In Dubious Battle" from this book before I returned it to the library. The second novel was a suggestion from my brother. Both books immerse you in the life of travelling workers in the depression era US. Everyone knows "OF Mice and Men", and it was suprisingly short, but so poingniently told the story of struggle and hope. "In Dubious Battle" was a suprise. It presents the disfunction and cruelty of a labor strike during the depression. Dissects communism, socialism, and capitalism while never calling one or the other by its name, and all through the story of men and women trying to survive and ultimately do what is "best" for themselves and others. Amazing.
December 18, 2012
This is the first installment of my read-through Steinbeck.
My ratings for each individual work are as follows:
Pastures of Heaven: 4 (re-read--unbelievable that this was basically one of Steinbeck's first writings. Insightful into human nature.)
To a God Unknown: 4 (enjoyed this, but don't think it's a re-read--lot of spiritual/pagan stuff here)
Tortilla Flat: 2 (annoying--I don't get it.)
In Dubious Battle: 3 (don't understand why this book is supposedly among Steinbeck's best)
Of Mice & Men: 4 (re-read--Lennie & George)
My ratings for each individual work are as follows:
Pastures of Heaven: 4 (re-read--unbelievable that this was basically one of Steinbeck's first writings. Insightful into human nature.)
To a God Unknown: 4 (enjoyed this, but don't think it's a re-read--lot of spiritual/pagan stuff here)
Tortilla Flat: 2 (annoying--I don't get it.)
In Dubious Battle: 3 (don't understand why this book is supposedly among Steinbeck's best)
Of Mice & Men: 4 (re-read--Lennie & George)
June 14, 2013
Pastures of Heaven and To a God Unknown are one of the greatest stories I have read. In pure Steinbeck form they take the reader to a place completely unknown to anyone in this day and age. His descriptions of the CA geography and farm life are incredible. If you love the outdoors and have a special place in your heart for the earth those 2 books will move you to another place.
I cannot recommend them enough
I cannot recommend them enough
April 14, 2008
Steinbeck is one of my favorite authors! Every one of his better known works is a beautiful piece. A wonderful, early California writer who opens up the world of old Monterey, Big Sur, and central California with his ability to capture the natural beauty of his settings, and poetic insight into the human heart and psyche. Every one of these stories is beautiful and perfect.
May 25, 2011
I borrowed this from the library, and will probably buy it. The book's physical quality is among the best I've ever seen - really nice thin but sturdy pages that won't yellow or get brittle, and it lays open by itself.
I ended up buying this whole Steinbeck series from Library of America last year, I've read through them all and am re-reading much of it when I feel like picking something up.
I ended up buying this whole Steinbeck series from Library of America last year, I've read through them all and am re-reading much of it when I feel like picking something up.
June 21, 2017
5 of Steinbeck's first 6 novels, only excluding his first, Cup of Gold. Tortilla Flat is the weakest, though Steinbeck's prose still makes it very readable. Pastures of Heaven is inconsistent but has some great highs. To a God Unknown and In Dubious Battle are flawed but very good. Of Mice and Men is a minor masterpiece.
May 15, 2009
Okay... really I've only read two of the inclusions in this book: In Dubious battle, which I give 3 stars to cause it's just not Steinbeck's best and Of Mice and Men which I loved as a kid so lets say 4 stars.
June 8, 2013
I love Steinbeck. He draws characters that are simply passionate. Common and anomalous.
Immerse yourself in the simple, comedic, tragic lives of these people.
ps- doesn't he look dreamy in this picture?
Immerse yourself in the simple, comedic, tragic lives of these people.
ps- doesn't he look dreamy in this picture?
January 24, 2012
Steinbeck is a hard read for me, especially emotionally. He is not my favorte author and the ones I like usually die. But, I wanted to read this mostly for Of Mice and Men, because I couldn't stand that my husband had read it but I hadn't.
July 12, 2012
I have read through 'The Pastures of Heaven' and 'To a God Unknown'. To a God Unknown has stayed with me, haunting me for the few days since I finished it. The descriptions of landscapes and interior feelings had me rereading many passages.
September 16, 2012
For the first time in one volume, the early California writings of one of America's greatest novelists have been collected, including the seminal works, Tortilla Flat and Of Mice and Men, tracing his early growth and evolution. 20,000 first printing.
November 29, 2007
Five stories, gritty and gristly, pure Steinbeck. Great, great, reading.
August 25, 2012
To A GOD UNKNOWN astounded me. It was one of his first books, and is not the masterpiece that East of Eden is, but is so contemporary in its insight into religious issues. Highly recommended.
February 27, 2014
Nice collection of Steinbeck. Some of his earlier works are here.
May 12, 2016
Steinbeck might be unsurpassed at bringing the reader into the world of the disenfranchised. I'm so happy to have "caught up" on this Pulitzer Prize winning author's early works.
January 25, 2018
20th Century Americana is one of my favorite genres. this is the first of two volumes.
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