Yup, it’s
the Steinbeck classic. I’m not sure what has piqued my interest in the classics
but I’ve managed to make to adulthood without reading what many would refer to
as the basics. This year, I will play catch-up. Up first, Of Mice and Men.
The book
tells the story of George and Lennie. George looks after Lennie whose mental development
seems to have stopped at childhood. They are blue collar workers who can’t seem
to get ahead. George has a dream and a plan that one day, he
and Lennie will and save enough money to buy a house and land. This can only
happen if George can keep Lennie out of trouble which has already caused them
to lose jobs.
I didn’t
like the way the book started and I almost didn’t read it. The narrative opens
by describing the setting but it seemed excessive to me, too long. But
I learned after reading Brothers (& me) that the first page is a bad place to
draw a conclusion on a book. Plus this book is a classic. So I figured I'd
exercise a bit of patience which is a feat for me.
It didn’t
take long for the pace to pick up. And then I discovered something else I
disliked about the book, I felt like pages were missing. It has a tendency to
jump ahead and a few times I looked back to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
The book certainly
did not lack suspense and came to a climactic ending. I was eagerly anticipating how the book would
end but then I found myself disturbed by the ending. It was kind of disheartening
actually. I feel like I should've liked the book but I'm not sure I did.
I skimmed
the surface with this review and a book with such clout could certainly use much more analytical insight from a reviewer. Many of you have probably
read it so I'd like your insight to help flesh out this review. What did you think about Of Mice and Men?
I've enjoyed Steinbeck's short works which I include of Mice and Men, even though it's a novel. Steinbeck is a great writer, no doubt but, like many of his ilk, his world view is a godless one. It follows that he has to arrive at conclusions using his own reasoning. His own reasoning does not offer much hope. I found true that with most of his writings.
ReplyDeleteThat little bit of context makes a whole lot of difference. The story makes more sense now. Thanks
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