One of my truths has been that I don’t like John Steinbeck, but I love Cannery Row. Recently, I’ve been reconsidering that position as I contemplated his books. I absolutely love Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday . I enjoy very much Of Mice and Men . I came to the realization that what I honestly meant was, “I don’t like The Red Pony , and I’m not too keen on The Pearl.
Our Book Club book for October was East of Eden – I’d mentioned previously that I was working on reading it, and now that I have finished I can definitely change my truth. Steinbeck is an amazing writer (and yes, The Red Pony is still bad). I love his descriptions and his characters, even when they are unseemly, they are well written. Another one of the things that I like about his characters is that there are good people in all stations of life, and you can't judge a person by their external situation. This especially comes through in Cannery Row, and in fact, I’d argue is the theme of that novel.
The lovely Kristina asked me if it was long, the copy I had was about 600 pages, but it goes by quickly, there were several football practices that I read about 100 pages. Since I knew that it was based on the story of Cain and Abel, I was concerned that something horrific was coming (remember the Red Pony thing?) but was pleasantly surprised. And, I can still say, his characters and writing are the cornerstone of his greatness. Someday, in addition to re-reading Cannery Row I should read his magnum opus, Grapes of Wrath
It has been a long time since I’ve been to Cannery Row, but I look forward to exploring the tide pools again. And, I am always up for seeing James Dean in a movie, so I should put the movie version on my “to watch” pile.
And, in another bit of book goodness, yesterday I stopped and bought Sharon Kay Penman’s newest book, The Devil’s Brood. I only got to read the first couple of chapters last night and this morning, I am looking forward to getting lost in Eleanor of Aquitaine’s stormy marriage. There is a very small group of authors that I won’t wait for the paperback release, and she is atop the list. I’d only add Barbara Kingsolver and Kh. Frederica Mathewes-Green (truth be told, I don’t have her complete collection, but most). I’d be curious to hear who are those few authors for others.
A friend wished me a cozy weekend curled up on the couch, under a blanket reading. This month isn’t going to offer many days like that, but I will take as many snippets of time as I can.
(photo credit)
posted by Mimi @ 10/10/2008 04:16:00 PM
23 Comments
23 Comments:
Ahhh....a cozy weekend sounds great, but the forecast for this weekend call for summery weather again! I'm not complaining!!!
Yeah, I should clarify, a cozy weekend isn't happening here either ;)
I think I've commented to you before that I love East of Eden. It is one of my all-time favs and I have read it a dozen times since high school. I hope my daughter will read it and love it, too, when she's old enough to read it. It's just lovely. I love "timshel".
Peace,
Sarah
completely agree with you on the red pony and the pearl. had to read both of them for school (junior high i believe) and hated them! But love East of Eden and Of Mice and Men.
Wow...you've really got an exciting reading schedule. I'm re-reading Little Women. I found it in a box of old books of mine my mother had shaved and decided to read it....your picks are a bit more ambitious!
I am telling you, The Grapes of Wrath is an amazing read. I still have the copy I got for Christmas when I was 15 and I get it out every few years, and read it yet again....
Lurve James Dean!!! I haven't read East of Eden, i might put that on my bookmooch wishlist :-)
I've only read "Of Mice and Men"; need to read some more of his works. And I've wanted to read "The Grapes of Wrath" for 5 or so years...and I keep forgetting to get it!
Our book club read East of Eden last summer and I loved it. My daughter read (listened to) Grapes of Wrath for summer reading this year, and I heard snippets of it and it sounded equally as good.
I've never heard of Penman - thanks for the heads up. I'd love to sink myself into a bit of Medieval England.
Read some Steinbeck in high school, watched Grapes of Wrath with the hubby and family this year. Would rather paint my toenails! LOL
Just finished Kingsolver's "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" and highly highly recommend it. Although it was published in '07, it becomes even more relevant and timely given what is going on in the world. But you belong to a CSA so you are already "with it."
Thank you for the update on the book! I hope you can read Grapes soon.
I just purchased Kathleen Norris' new book in hardback; I'll have to think about other authors that I'd do the same with!
East of Eden is probably in my top ten most favorite books. It's just so GOOD. I read Grapes of Wrath in tenth grade and was definitely not ready for it, as I detested it. I think I am old enough now (lol) to reread it! And, for me, I can't wait for paperback for any of Margaret ATwood's books!
We don't make our Freshmen read The Red Pony and The Pearl anymore, although I had to when I was a freshman. Uggggh... I also thought I hated John Steinbeck.
I changed my mind in college, when studying the period of realism and sort of realizing for myself that life was no fairy tale. Then I saw Grapes of Wrath as a play... it broke my heart. So good. And the rest... there is a beauty in ugliness, maybe.
The only JS book I ever liked was "In Dubious Battle".
love Steinbeck. I'd love to re-read, I've gotten a copy of "Of mice and men" I got at a rummage sale recently.
Except for the fact that I do not buy books except at random used sales, my "sit on pins and needles till the library gets them" are Stephen King and Dean Koontz. Particularly Dean Koontz's most recent novels. He's very ummmmm Orthodox in a way. And King's descriptions rival anything I've ever read.
And Harry Potter, I actually did buy those. But alas, it's over.
Maybe I will give one of Steinbeck's another try.
Marfa I can sadly report that I didn’t get much reading in this weekend, I’m only on about page 175.
Sarah Yes, you’d mentioned that. I agree, I love “timshel”
Christina Yeah, what was with those two books in middle school, did they want us to NOT like Steinbeck?
Laura I am always, always, always up for a re-read of Little Women
Tatiana Ok, you convinced me, I ordered Grapes of Wrath through PBS.
Ian I hope you enjoy.
Deb Ooooh, Penman. Sigh. I could wax poetic on her all day. Start with either The Sunne in Splendor or Here Be Dragons. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
KM I don’t know how “with it” I am, but I LOVE that book.
Kristina Oooh, Kathleen Norris, she’s good too.
Amy I always squeal when you reply to one of my posts. I like Atwood too, but haven’t read some of her more recent ones. I was disappointed in The Blind Assassin but I’d buy a print of the cover of that book it was gorgeous, and sadly the best part of the book
Monica Thank you! I don’t think those are the best Steinbeck introductions. Maybe I fell victim to the same thing.
Matt I’ll look into that one.
Marsha Since having kids, I have to be more selective on the King novels I read, but I agree, he is one of the best storytellers writing. Koonz I’ve not read, and he’s very Orthodox in a way, eh? What one best captures that that you’d recommend?
RW I may have beaten this to death, but I’d recommend starting with Cannery Row
Koontz? Didn't he write a book about a crime-fighting golden retriever with the mental abilities of a human being? I'm sure it was Koontz. One of the funniest books I ever read.
yes, Koontz has written and does write suspense science fiction thrillers.
However, a few of his books lately (in the last 3-5 years) are downright profound in places.
I'd start with Brother Odd and ALL the Odd books. I can give you a couple of quotes as I am geeky enough to write them out in my journal when I LOVE something.
Orthodox probably isn't the word. Spiritual (but not all new agey) may be a better word.
Marsha - I have to agree with Matt, while Dh likes Koontz, that's my only exposure, the one with the dog (Watchers?), but I will look into the Odd books. It seems someone else recommended them to me recently too.
what books would i buy in hardcover... not waiting for soft cover... Kathleen Norris, Annie Dillard... i need to buy the last Madeleine L'Engle book published after her death...
i need to read Steinbeck again sometime!
mimi, finally just for you, I posted some Dean Koontz quotes juxtaposed with Elder Zossima's from The Brothers K. Told you I was a geek.
Marsha, THANK YOU! I'm off to read.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home