Sadness

[alzes]

just finished grapes of wrath. first time read about 35 yars ago in grade school in the central valley of California. Sad to say how blind and racist w were taught to be in those times. I must admit that I am somewhat ashamed of some of the commets and slurs that were spoken at that time. Ignorance is a sad state of thought.

[blp]

Have you looked at the 'Author's Curse' thread, alzes? The experience you describe above is rather relevant.

[jessezzel]

i love steinbeck, most of his books are there to show us how horrible things really are...

[Aurora Ariel]

I have read a few of Steinbeck's works, including Of Mice and Men, Tortilla Flat, The Grapes of Wrath, and East of Eden. John Steinbeck won the Pulitzer prize in 1940. I first read The Grapes of Wrath earlier last year, but honestly I prefer East of Eden. I really, really loved East of Eden when I originally read it. I would recommend the latter first. Though The Grapes of Wrath is often claimed to be his finest work. I will probably end up reading it again eventually as I think it is one of those books which needs to be read more than once, and it has the ability to divide readers opinions greatly. The ending was extremely controversial at the time, shocking many people, and much has been written about this novel since.

[Ryduce]

I've read every piece of literature by Steinbeck ,and I personally prefer East of Eden to The Grapes of Wrath.Critics slammed East of Eden because they believed that Cathy wasn't a plausible character.They concluded that a character who was evil for the sake of being evil wasn't authentic.

While the Grapes of Wrath is definitely a sad book,it also shows how the human spirit is capable of great goodness,even in the face of terrible circumstances.

pg 166 The people fleeing from the terror behind,strange things happen to them.Some bitterly cruel, and some so beautiful that the faith is refired forever.

That line practically changed my life.

It made me believe that human goodness is not only a possibility,but it is a reality.It is only a conscious choice.Steinbeck restored my faith in humanity.