The Short Novels of John Steinbeck:
- ISBN13: 9780143105770
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
Collected here for the first time in a deluxe paperback volume are six of John Steinbeck’s most widely read and beloved novels-Tortilla Flat, The Red Pony, Of Mice and Men, The Moon Is Down, Cannery Row, and The Pearl. From Steinbeck’s tale of commitment, loneliness, and hope in Of Mice and Men, to his tough yet charming portrait of people on the margins of society in Cannery Row, to The Pearl’s examination of the fallacy of the American dream, Steinbeck created stories that were realistic, rugged, and imbued with energy and resilience…. More >>
Very nice book to give as a gift. Arrived very quickly and in perfect condition.
Rating: 5 / 5
This is a nice edition (Kindle). Steinbeck’s prose style is simple, yet he gives a sense of people and place that create vivid pictures of them. The most interesting aspect of these stories for me were how they reminded me of Classical Greek Tragedy — that is they are about how people exercise their freedom of choice and express their dignity within the circumstances of their lives over which they have no control. However, unlike the gods and heroes of that genre, Steinbeck does this for very ordinary people. The stories make the reader think about how each of our lives are the same. We have circumstances, such as affluence or poverty, disability, the family we are born into, chance aquaintances ecountered in our work lives, people we just meet randomly under significant circumstances, war, etc. over which we have limited or no control. But it’s how we decide to act within these circumstances that is the theme that makes these stories relevant for anyone’s life. BTW, the story that impressed me the most was one I’d never heard about before, “The Moon is Down”.
Rating: 5 / 5
First of all, this is a smart buy if you plan to read all (or most) of the stories because the cost is much cheaper than buying every one of the 6 books. The only downside I can think of is that it is a heavier book to carry (not a problem for the kindle edition) and you won’t be able to share with friends the way you would with separate books.
All novels are compelling and this combo shines light on the multiple facets of Steinbeck the writer. While most people associate him to tough social novels such as “Grapes of Wrath”, “Of Mice and Men” and “The Pearl”, there is also Steinbeck the naturalist/philosopher/humanist/humorist that shines in “Tortilla Flat” (his first best-seller) and above all in “Cannery Row”. “The Red Pony” is a moving, highly personal coming-of-age cycle of stories that is well-written, though not quite as gripping as the other stories. All the stories above, with the exception of the Mexican thriller “The pearl”, take place in “Steinbeck country” that is the Monterey county in the central coast of California, which includes the agricultural riches of the Salinas Valley and the seaside beauty of Monterey Bay. That’s where Steinbeck was born and grew up and he writes of the place and its people with unrivaled depth and love.
“The Moon is Down” is a different animal, a political war thriller of Nazi vs. Nordic people where the burden of war and occupation is viewed from both sides.
Steinbeck’s writing style is accessible and vivid and can be easily enjoyed by most contemporary readers. I believe this combo to be a comprehensive and wonderful introduction to the author or, if you already know and like his work, a convenient way to own the stories.
Rating: 5 / 5
Although no one else has reviewed this new edition of Steinbeck’s shorter fiction, you’ll find plenty of readers’ comments on each of the component novels. Often readers are surprised that Steinbeck’s works, being frequently cited as a modern classics, are easy reads. It is the characters and situations in Steinbeck’s stories that are compelling — not a lot of flowery language. I have to admit I somehow missed The Red Pony, but if it’s as good as the other five (and people seem to agree that it is) this compilation easily deserves five stars.
Rating: 5 / 5