Notable Literature

Tortilla Flat: 1935

Above a town of Monterey on the California coast lies the shabby district of Tortilla Flat, inhabited by a loose gang of jobless locals of Mexican descent (who typically claim Spanish descent) whose riotous adventures are compared by Steinbeck to the exploits of the Knights of King Arthur.

Referred to as “An Arthurian Marvel”

“When I think about these people I don't think of dirty poor people, but of noble people. In each chapter they gain something in some strange way which makes the story funny in places. They don't have a goal but ride life the way it comes. You end up swimming in the ocean of this story and it doesn't sting your eyes.” Satisfied Reader: 12 years old.

Known as one of Steinbeck’s more humorous novels, such unlike his usual style. Extremely lighthearted.

In Dubious Battle: 1936

Two characters dominate this book: veteran Communist Party worker Mac, and his protégé, Jim Nolan. Mac displays all the characteristics of the dedicated Party man: unswervingly loyal to the Party's aims, selfless in his service to the cause, willing to use any circumstance to further the Party's ends. Beneath his tough exterior, however, he has some sensitivity for the people he exploits, and occasionally he lets his emotions overcome the calculated reason which he knows must dominate his actions if he is to be successful in bringing about the system to which he is openly committed.

One of Steinbeck’s earlier novels, not very widely known. From reading it one can understand why he was in trouble with the House Committee on Un-American Activities during the McCarthy era. John Steinbeck always sympathized with the underdog and he showed the disgraceful practices of big business and even ordinary people when it came to migrant workers. ” Having just come out of a 49-day strike myself, I can say Steinbeck captures the logistics of a strike: the manipulation by the media against the strikers, the changes moods of the strikers, and the importance of gathering public support. Steinbeck gives a balanced view of manipulators on both sides. The leaders of the strike and the employers.”

The Grapes of Wrath: 1939

Tells the tale of Tom Joad, his family, and his friends as they survive the great depression. Joad and family leave the great dust bowl of Oklahoma for a better life in California. Ten years later, Steinbeck recalled those months working on The Grapes of Wrath: "A few times I have in work heard the thundering and seen the flash which must have been the universe at work. In that participation there was a glory that shadows everything else." Steinbeck was born in California, so he has firsthand knowledge of the scenery and the California experience.

“Some may struggle to finish, it’s worth it though.”

Known as “Voice of the migrants for generations to come!”

Of Mice and Men- 1937

Set in the Salinas Valley of central California during the Great Depression, John Steinbeck’s novella, Of Mice and Men, tells the story of two men, George and Lennie. During this time period, it was not unusual for men to travel from job to job as a result of the economic recession. However, it was unusual for two men to travel together.

Lennie is a large, strong man with the intellectual capabilities of a small child. He is often forgetful, but is capable of doing intense physical labor. Lennie was raised by his Aunt Clara, who looked after Lennie until her death. At that point, George, a childhood friend, takes responsibility for Lennie.
George and Lennie travel and work together for years before the novella begins. Their last job was in a town called Weed. One day, Lennie sees a girl wearing a red dress and decides to touch it. Lennie likes to pet soft things and has a history of killing the small animals he touches. The girl screams and Lennie freezes, holding her dress tighter. Eventually, George gets Lennie to let go of the dress. Lennie does not physically hurt the girl, but she tells the sheriff she has been raped. George and Lennie flee town.

"Brutality and tenderness mingle in these strangely moving pages....The reader is fascinated by a certainty of approaching doom." Chicago Tribune

"A short tale of much power and beauty. Mr. Steinbeck has contributed a small masterpiece to the modern tough-tender school of American fiction."

Times Literary Reader: “One word CLASSIC. I have the copy when the book first came out, before this one, and I love it! John Steinbeck is an amazing author because of his literature. Many books I read for entertainment, it’s like a TV that makes you smarter, but this is the first book I read for literature purposes. If you’re a Steinbeck fan this is another great book!”