One of the top 10 of all time (Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck)

Member Name: scotia1949

Product:	Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
Date:	19/05/01 (102 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Superb human drama, Excellent writing, Real

Disadvantages: None

Its difficult to contain yourself when writing about Grapes of Wrath. It is a classic. Its subject matter should be depressing, the players in the drama should be suicidal, you should want to give up reading it and leave it; but you won't.

Every human emotion is tested, stripped and laid bare. The good the bad and the ugly of the human race is there for all to see. Greedy landowners driving down the pay of the workers while pushing up the prices in their own factory shops, mothers letting other folks kids lick their cooking spoon because they are so hungry, proud folks who pretend everything is OK, or going to be.

In Grapes of Wrath the grass is always greener over the hill. The next village always has work; but hasn't. The next camp will always be better; but isn't. Yet still you are drawn to it, you share it with them, you live it with them, such is Steinbeck's style. He gets to YOU with his writing.

I recently saw a black and white mid 40s American film of this book and it was a total cop-out of an ending. There is no happy ending to this book, but it does have a highly controversial but somehow uplifting ending which there is no way the Americans could have shown on film.

Treat yourself to a damned good read and try it.

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