So yesterday was Wordless Wednesday, sorry I missed it. I was sick, curled up on the couch all day (except to change an occasional diaper or throw the kids some food), and posting would have been too much work.
Today I'm feeling *mostly* better, so the kids and I are going to head out and wander the neighborhood. Stir-crazy would be an understated description of them.
While I'm wandering, tell me your thoughts on John Steinbeck, as an author. I'm currently reading East of Eden, and in high school I read Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men. That's as far as my experience with him goes, but I'm aware some people love him and some people hate him. So which side are you on, and why (if you've got one)? If you haven't read him I'd recommend it, though be warned his books are not light and fluffy and his topics aren't sunshine and roses.
7 comments:
When I read "Grapes of Wrath," at first I hated it. But by the end, I loved it. I have heard that "East of Eden" is considered to be the best American novel ever written, or at least in contention with "Huckleberry Finn."
Glad you're feeling a little better! Let me know if you need anything.
And I think you already know this, but I love Steinbeck. He's definitely not light and fluffy, but each of his books that I have read have really stuck with me . . .some of them for years. I feel that I've learned something of value when I'm done reading. I think he's an amazing writer.
Glad you're feeling a little better! Let me know if you need anything.
And I think you already know this, but I love Steinbeck. He's definitely not light and fluffy, but each of his books that I have read have really stuck with me . . .some of them for years. I feel that I've learned something of value when I'm done reading. I think he's an amazing writer.
I haven't read anything by Steinbeck for over 10 years - in my college Amerian Lit class (yes, I'm that old). I don't remember his writings well enough to tell you why, but I'm not on either the love or hate side with him. The ending of the Grapes of Wrath really stuck in my head because it was disturbing to me. But that is saying something at least. I read many books - and thus forget many books; I haven't forgotten that one! You'll have to let us know how East of Eden is. Maybe I should give him another try (once I get through my massive "to read" list).
Eek I hope you're feeling better. What are your feelings on Steinbeck. I like East of Eden, obviously, but do you so far? Did you like Grapes of Wrath? I haven't read that one.
I don't remember liking Grapes of Wrath or Of Mice and Men. But so far I love East of Eden.
My thoughts:
Grapes of Wrath got more praise for its subject matter than for anything else.
Of Mice and Men is decent. The Pearl is okay.
East of Eden is probably one of the three best literary novels i've ever read.
The Winter of Our Discontent is at least in the top 5.
Cannery Row is also good.
The Moon is Down is AWESOME!
The only thing by Steinbeck I've read that I didn't like at all was Wayward Bus. Relatively pointless.
I think he was noticably better than Hemingway but I think Hemingway gets at least as much or more attention because he was a drunk and shot himself. Same reason why people praise JFK. If he hadn't got shot he'd probably, at best, be in the top 20 presidents (and when we've only have like 38(?) different ones, that's not saying much).
-aaron
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