Of Mice and Men
Description:
A controversial tale of friendship and tragedy during the Great Depression, in a deluxe centennial edition Over seventy-five years since its first publication, Steinbeck’s tale of commitment, loneliness, hope, and loss remains one of America’s most widely read and taught novels. An unlikely pair, George and Lennie, two migrant workers in California during the Great Depression, grasp for their American Dream. They hustle work when they can, living a hand-to-mouth existence. For George and Lennie have a plan: to own an acre of land and a shack they can call their own. When they land jobs on a ranch in the Salinas Valley, the fulfillment of their dream seems to be within their grasp. But even George cannot guard Lennie from the provocations, nor predict the consequences of Lennie's unswerving obedience to the things George taught him. Of Mice and Men represents an experiment in form, which Steinbeck described as “a kind of playable novel, written in a novel form but so scened and set that it can be played as it stands.” A rarity in American letters, it achieved remarkable success as a novel, a Broadway play, and three acclaimed films. This Centennial edition, specially designed to commemorate one hundred years of Steinbeck, features french flaps and deckle-edged pages. For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Reviews:
(3 months ago) |
28 Aug, 2024
In spite of its brevity, this book packs quite a punch. I had a good idea where the story was going and I knew, deep in my heart, that George and Lennie's dream, the much-talked about American dream, was doomed from the start. Lennie Small, with his childlike brain and extraordinary strength, has to be one of the most tragic characters of modern literature. I felt a motherly urge to protect him in spite of what he did because, like a child, there is an innocence about Lennie that broke my heart.
This is my first Steinbeck. One of the reasons it too me so long to read it is that I was afraid I wouldn't understand the vernacular style of the conversation that is present throughout the book. I am relieved to report that, apart from initially thinking 'pitchers' had something to do with baseball, it really wasn't difficult at all to get into the flow and it made the story seem all the more authentic. Of Mice and Men is a great little book with memorable characters and a very accurate sense of place. Although this is my first Steinbeck, I am sure it won't be my last.
Please be aware that the 'n' word is mentioned quite a few times.
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Read Around North America Challenge
Country:
United States of America
United States of America
Language:
EN
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