tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710818943922563736.post1138025847465645079..comments2023-10-05T13:20:39.120-04:00Comments on Leafing Through Life: The Grapes of Wrath by John SteinbeckMeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751131767729086158noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710818943922563736.post-42345814667245115322011-11-26T10:13:32.209-05:002011-11-26T10:13:32.209-05:00Amanda - I think the one thing my whole book group...Amanda - I think the one thing my whole book group agreed on was that the heavy handedness of it all. It wasn't that so much that I minded though as just how frustrating it was to see the Joad family come up against road blocks at every turn. That said, there were many moments that despite my frustration with the story itself, I was blown away by the writing. His writing in dialect was pitch perfect, and I *love* it when a writer can give me sense of how people speak without seeming exaggerated or cheesy. I loved (!) the "inter" chapters and grinned like an idiot when I realized I could practically tap my foot to the rhythm of the writing of the dance scene. That was absolutely genius! I can see how the way that the book tied directly into your family history would make it that much more powerful for you. It's an incredible feeling when a great book can tap into your own personal history. :)<br /><br />Diane - He does write so well, but you really don't want to read his books when you're feeling down! LOL<br /><br />Vasilly - I'm not a re-reader, but I definitely plan to give East of Eden another go someday. Hope you get to The Grapes of Wrath - it's not my favorite Steinbeck, but it's worth the read, and his talents as a writer are on full display!Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07751131767729086158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710818943922563736.post-38282221756416272942011-11-24T12:58:46.443-05:002011-11-24T12:58:46.443-05:00I love East of Eden. It's one of those books t...I love East of Eden. It's one of those books that I don't have a problem flipping through over and over again. I have't read Grapes of Wrath yet but it is on my tbr list. Great review.Vasillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08463689838763126048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710818943922563736.post-24817853819378779472011-11-23T07:02:26.136-05:002011-11-23T07:02:26.136-05:00most of Steinbeck's novels are somewhat depres...most of Steinbeck's novels are somewhat depressing, but I do love his writing.<br /><br />Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!(Diane) Bibliophile By the Seahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10519875632878992728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710818943922563736.post-32745151151723163752011-11-23T07:01:40.850-05:002011-11-23T07:01:40.850-05:00I didn't find this one preachy or heavy handed...I didn't find this one preachy or heavy handed at all! I read it a couple years ago, thinking I'd hate it before I started, but it was one of those books I simply couldn't put down. Maybe it's because I have a personal connection - my family came from Oklahoma during the depression, so a lot of the cultural aspects, right down to the language patterns and slang, were spot on - but reading this was like reading family history and it hit me on a very personal level. I've read a few others by Steinbeck, and while I enjoyed East of Eden, neither EoE or any other book has had the impact on me that Grapes of Wrath did. My cousin read it and felt the same way. In fact, she said that it was books like that one that made her want to give up the dream of being a writer, because every single word in that book was perfect, so completely composed, a work of genius.Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07026099426503180472noreply@blogger.com