Of Mice and Men
A controversial tale of friendship and tragedy during the Great Depression They are an unlikely pair: George is "small and quick and dark of face"; Lennie, a man of tremendous size, has the mind of a young child. Yet they have formed a "family," clinging together in the face of loneliness and alienation. Laborers in California's dusty vegetable fields, 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 of a flirtatious woman, nor predict the consequences of Lennie's unswerving obedience to the things George taught him. "A thriller, a gripping tale . . . that you will not set down until it is finished. Steinbeck has touched the quick." --The New York Times
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Community Reviews
Obviously a very powerful story, achingly well told. Steinbeck's writing is a joy to read, and the foreboding that suffuses the book is pitch-perfect. Most of the characters (more on that in a minute) are true to life, and the plot is well laid out. Curley's antagonism and George & Lenny's responses to it (as well as the responses of Crooks, Candy, and other more minor characters) are thought-provoking.
Would be a five-star for all that. But I really couldn't stomach the treatment of Curley's wife. She's a critical part of the story, and she's treated with about as much humanity as Candy's dog. She does get to express herself, at one point. But it wasn't enough to make up for the fact that she's really just a plot device. I still highly recommend the book, but it's not without this significant fault.
Would be a five-star for all that. But I really couldn't stomach the treatment of Curley's wife. She's a critical part of the story, and she's treated with about as much humanity as Candy's dog. She does get to express herself, at one point. But it wasn't enough to make up for the fact that she's really just a plot device. I still highly recommend the book, but it's not without this significant fault.
I read this book very quickly, wasnt able to put it down, the ending was heartbreaking though, made me feel a little sad tbh
I did judge by it's cover and because it's only 100 pages, I didn't expect much of it. Wow was I wrong!! It's very well written and has plenty of twists!
I read this book when I was 12. It was a pretty heavy book then.
I really want to read this novel again. Get a fresh perspective.
I really want to read this novel again. Get a fresh perspective.
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