The Grapes of Wrath

Rating:
Summary: A Great Political Story Without Any Politicians.
Review: I read this one long summer after having read Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged. Both are marvelous stories, that interweave the author's political bent so well, that they each could be text books for a political theory class. After reading both, I found myself questioning everthing I thought I knew. If you really want to challange your mind, read both then try to decide which theory you believe.

Rating:
Summary: High School Freshman enjoys a Steinbeck Classic
Review: When asked to find a book for a book project for freshman reading, I took the advice of my friend to choose the Grapes of Wrath. Because the only Steinbeck background I had was The Pearl, I did not understand the intercallary chapters and its allegorical themes. I eventually crammed the last 200 pages of the Joads' journey the night before our books had to be finished. After I recieved a C- on my book write-up, I was deeply saddened because I had worked very hard to understand the themes of struggle, love, and hope. Even though I recieved that C-, I feel I have learned a lot about human life and struggle from the simple plot of The Grapes of Wrath. This book is full of everything that makes a book a classic. I recommended to everyone of all ages even a person is too young to understand the symbolism and the allegorical themes. But in the end after a long struggle, my C- can be linked to the end of The Grapes of Wrath. Great book!

Rating:
Summary: This book has to be the great American novel.
Review: It is not hard to see why this novel is still selling and still largely read by America. If you have never been unemployed or underpayed you simply will not understand the life of the Joad family in search of their part of the "American dream." Steinbeck's timeless adaptation of unemployed and displaced America shows the sagas and differences with the endless problems between the "haves" and the "have nots" and the working class American looking for what is rightfully his; dignity. This struggle did not begin with this novel not did it end with this novel but Steinbeck did his part in showing the struggles of those leaving their homes to find a way to keep their family together. If you read this novel and are not touched by the strength of a great woman doing everything she can to keep her family together then it nothing more than a book. If you look deep into the metaphor of what life really is like for the working class then you can take with you what Steinbeck intended. Life is hard. Steinbeck was one up on women's liberation. This truly is the "Great American Novel."

Rating:
Summary: Good, but Long
Review: This book was excellent in the way that it portrayed the life of a migrant farm family during the Great Depression, but it could have done without the meaningless chapters like the one about the turtle. I mean, who really gives a crap about a stupid turtle crossing the road. But other than the fact that it was just a little too long (about 600 pages), this was a very good book.

Rating:
Summary: BORING!
Review: Simply put: I didn't like this book. There was too much description and too little plot. The characters were not appealing to me at all and I couldn't get into the story.

Rating:
Summary: Grapes of Wrath - Great literature and great moralizing.
Review: What pathos! This is the timeless story of the struggle for survival. This time concerning the Joad family - a simple crop sharing farm people - uprooted by changes both climatic and economic (it reminds one of the recent downsizing and the loss of blue collar jobs) on their trek westward searching for a new hope. This book works on all levels and raises important issues if you can get a handle on the depression. As literature it is excellent. Any author that can devote an entire chapter to the life-and death struggles of a turtle crossing the road and keep you on the edge of your seat deserves fame (what is the symbolism any how?). This book also raises the important issues of today. What to do with displaced (homeless) people? Who's responsible if anyone for peoples well-being. Are their abuses in the work place? Who's fault is it? What should be done? Are simple people to be admired or pitied?. Fortunately, he doesn't give you all the answers, but makes you think for yourself. Admittedly, he does go into melodrama. His brief dealings about the communist ideals with the government camp, and the breast feeding of an ill man showing how people must help themselves are two such examples. Yet, I feel it is a must read even if it leaves you drained and questioning your own ethics.

Rating:
Summary: This was the greatest novel ever written.
Review: Steinbeck is one of the few writers who actually understand human behavior. Everyone should be required to read this book and all Steinbeck novels in order to understand our history as a nation. This book had a such beautiful symbolism that it must be read several times to catch it all!

Rating:
Summary: Good book
Review: Whoever said they "burrned the book" or other such stupid statments are extremly immature. The book was written very well and the details were included for a feel of the times.This book is one everyone should read,

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book....a classic adventure across the U.S.!!
Review: This is the first Steinbeck book that I've read and it was great! I'm planning on reading all of Steinbecks other books because of this one classic masterpiece!

Rating:
Summary: The Grapes of Wrath was powerful and depressing.
Review: Although Steinbeck did a great job getting the reader into the sensation of the Depression, I really did not like this book because it was too depressing. I found the plot to boring and slow as well, to me, it was just one depressing event after another. However, the repetition and drowning effect that Steinbeck created was good in the sense that it made me feel as if I was traveling West to California in terribly difficult circumstances. Yet, I prefer reading books that are a bit lighter more optimistic.