Rating: 
Summary: The most masterfully written American novel of all time.
Review: See my one line review.
Rating: 
Summary: My comments on the Grapes of Wrath.
Review: You know after all of the negitive comments I have heard about the book, I got the impresion that this book really stunk. Well after reading it for freshman summer reading, what they said was half wrong. You know I started to get into the book about page 100. After reading chapter after chapter, I started to get really tired of the book. It was so long. It never felt like I wized thru the chapters. They never ended! The descriptive chapters were not needed at all. What was said in these chapters was soon covered in the next one. You know that could of made the book a lot shorter. Well in conclusion, I feel that the book it self was good but the description and lenghth really is were the three stars came from.
Rating:
Summary: A classic, hands down
Review: I've been rereading The Grapes of Wrath, still stunned by how great it is. After reading some of the reviews below, I get angry that people cannot grasp the effect the book has. YES, the depression was depressing, YES, there was a lot of description, YES, it might not make you feel really great about that time in America, but God, isn't that's what great literature is supposed to do- take you to a place you would never know about and tell you what it was like? I don't want to sound condescending, but not every book is a romp in the park, and The Grapes of Wrath is one of them.
Rating:
Summary: journey to nothing
Review: Grapes Of Wrath is one of the greatest novels ever written. This book will challenge what you believe about America and make you realize thatnot all history books speak the truth. With a graceful , sad prose, Steinbeck brings to life characters as real and as alive as your friends and neighbors. I felt that I wanted a magical force to sweep me into this book and allow me to help the Joads and help fight the evil plantation owners, and only the best books make you do that. Simply put, this is must reading for anyone who lives in America , and even the world.
Rating:
Summary: Best book ever written?
Review: Without a doubt this is one of the greatest novels ever written, if not the best. Steinbeck captures the feel of the dustbowl and transports the reader to the era. The book is long, has many references to socialism, and ends somewhat abrubtly, however throughout the entire novel Steinbeck masterfully shows how life was for the poor during the depression. At the end I could only sit, stare at the wall, and thank God I was not alive during the depression. Then it occured to me that the book could be written today, not portraying the okies, but maybe Vietnam in the early 1970s, or Mexican migrant workers today. The book is a hisorical account of what life was like, but it still rings true today.Afterwards I read two more Steinbeck novels: In Dubious Battle, and East of Eden. Both were excellent but neither carried the impact of The Grapes of Wrath. Steinbeck wrote a powerful novel that I think everyone should read. If you don't like it the first time, reread it ! until you understand it. This book is amazing.
Rating: 
Summary: Steinbeck is absolutely amazing!!
Review: John Steinbeck is the true American author. His use of symbolism and allegories in "The Grapes of Wrath" immerse the reader in the Joad's world. In my opinion, this is the greatest piece of American literature available today. The tragedy and heartbreak Steinbeck portrays can wrench your heart. His writing abilities are far beyond any author. If you need a good book to read, make it this one. A masterpiece!
Rating: 
Summary: The Grapes of Hooey
Review: Stupid socialist themes almost always bore (look at the last third of "The Jungle") and this book is no exception. Unless you're a high school teacher who is hell-bent on warping young minds into America-haters, this book is not worth the time, money, or energy to read. Did Steinbeck think that a sleezy political opportunist like himself (remember, he was a big proponent of the Vietnam War when it was being run by Democrats) can actually produce work of quality? Come ON. Think about the values of this book--irresponsibility is rewarded (who asked the idiot Okie farmers to borrow from the banks in the first place?), immorality is scoffed at, at the same time religion is put down ("I was 14, randy as a billy goat"), and capitalism gets the blame for an economic system that was anything but capitalistic (why else have oranges and potatoes thrown into rivers other than to prop up prices pursuant to a command economic policy?). Gradually this book i! s coming to be seen as nothing more than a product of the proto-"Hate American First" crowd, which is why it will continue to be popular among high school teachers.
Rating:
Summary: A Marvelous and Moving Portrait of the Depression
Review: Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath is one of the few books whose "classic" status I agree with. His descriptive writing is beautiful but not for everyone. For example, one chapter is dedicated exclusively to the description of a turtle crossing a road. Reading on, one discovers that this was in fact an allegory to the life of the Joad family. The book is filled with allegory and allusion. Despite its use of figurative devices, I don't think this book has to be studied in order to be enjoyed. For a long trip or a secluded vacation, this book is excellent.
Rating:
Summary: It sucked-literaly
Review: Steinbeck's descrptions are good, but after seeing them in every other chapter, they get really old. He must be stupid to think that we don't know about what's going on during the trip to Oklahoma. Steinbeck was totally out of line whenhe ends the book by having some babyless mother breast feed an old hag that she doesn't even know. It's just totally unreal.
Rating:
Summary: Must read for any human being.
Review: Grapes of wrath , simply put is one of the greatest stories ever penned by Steinbeck . This along with East of Eden are truly masterpieces and confirm his position as the pre-eminent author of this century.
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