Jane in NC Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 There is nice essay on Steinbeck in today's Washington Post. Apparently a number of cities across the country are choosing Grapes of Wrath for their community read. The essay's author argues that they should instead choose Travels with Charley. Steinbeck is on our reading list for next year, but Travels may make it on to my personal list before that. This certainly looks like a book that could lead to interesting discussions on my homefront. Best, Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaT Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 I've got this book and have never read it. I'll have to pull it down and take a look. My 9th grader just finished Grapes of Wrath. He hated it. I think people either love or hate Steinbeck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 I've got this book and have never read it. I'll have to pull it down and take a look. My 9th grader just finished Grapes of Wrath. He hated it. I think people either love or hate Steinbeck. Travels with Charley is the only Steinbeck I've ever read, but I was disappointed. I expected more, I think. I found it interesting, but I thought it lacked something. It could be I just expected too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura K (NC) Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Steinbeck gave an interesting perspective of life in America in 1960 and it's valuable in that, but it isn't anything like any other Steinbeck book I've read. I used to love Steinbeck, even though he was so dark and depressing. I heard somewhere (maybe here?) that Steinbeck has a certain hold on youth that they outgrow when they get older. That was certainly true for me... when I was younger I read as many of his books as I could, but I never read Travels with Charley. That one was so different, that I don't think one could read it and really understand "Steinbeck." My boys haven't read any of his stuff yet. I will probably have them read Of Mice and Men as a representative sample of his work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahli Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 As a horse-loving girl, I read The Red Pony when I was in 3rd or 4th grade :glare:. I vowed to never read Steinbeck again! Of course I had to read Of Mice and Men in high school, not quite as bad, but still creepy. I read Grapes of Wrath this year for the first time and absolutely loved it! I think that one takes a maturity though, that I definitely wouldn't have had in high school, or even early college. I pulled away so much more than was written on the page, about humanity, suffering, businesses and those in power as oppressors. I think that the book has been especially pertinent with the economy issues right now, and shouldn't be passed over (for older readers imo) My 9th grader just finished Grapes of Wrath. He hated it. I think people either love or hate Steinbeck. I would have hated it in 9th grade too. Like I said, I haven't been too fond of his works until now. P.S. I'm living near Salinas, ca now. I can't wait to check out his home and museum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy in MD Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 I read a few of Steinbeck's works in HS before condemning him as being depressing beyond words. My dh, a Steinbeck lover, is still trying to convince me to read Travels with Charley because it isn't depressing. He also recommends his non-fiction book about the Sea of Cortez. I don't care. Dh is teaching Steinbeck to ds and if ds hates it, they'll not complete the Grapes of Wrath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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