Rating: 
Summary: The definitive pathos!
Review: ** AN ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT WORK !! ** This book changed my way of looking at life! A multi-level
story (like most of Steinbeck's work). Well written tale of a simple existence, of suffering without bounds, yet full of optimism for the joy of being alive.
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Summary: How "the other half" lived in the 1930's; this is marvelous
Review: in its portrayal of life on the margins of agricultural share croppers who didreap what they sowed. The dust bowl was brought on by poor planning by poorlyeducated individuals, as is demonstrated by this finely crafted novel which allows the reader to follow closely the lives of many members of the Joad family and their traveling companions without the emotional involvement obtained by many novelists. Steinbeck did this for a reason; he wanted us to come away from the story able to see "the big picture" and managed this by layering in observational chapters between chapters of the Joad's travels. The Used Car Salesmen interchapter is a real eyeful and the allegorical adventures of the Joads and Jim Casy will resonate in today's violent world of haves and have nots. An American Classic that is still read because it is so good. Period.
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Summary: Grapes of wisdom
Review: I was going to start out my review saying, "Why bother with a description of this book since most people have given one already and the rest of us have read it," then I . . . well, read one of the other reviews. Even so, I'll let other's descriptions of this epic novel stand. Suffice it to say that this is one of the best novels ever written. The only better one is Steinbeck's EAST OF EDEN. And my reason for this is based purely on the subject matter. That said, GRAPES is a must for anyone interested in serious literature and a major period in our country's heritage. It's because of Steinbeck's talent that we're captivated about anyone for X number of pages, let alone people who are poor, destitute, and trying to survive the dustbowl. This brilliant work deserves its place among the classics and hopefully will continue to be read in the years to come. After all, it's stood the test to time this far. Would also recommend Steinbeck's other work (of many) THE WINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT and a book called THE BARK OF THE DOGWOOD by an author named McCrae
Rating:
Summary: America's greates novel!
Review: "The Grapes of Wrath," written in 1939 by John Steinbeck, is a book about the Great Depression, and one poor sharecropper family's struggle to survive the worst deprivations that American society in the 1930's had to offer. Indeed, perhaps no American work of fiction fits the label of "The Great American Novel" better than Steinbeck's wonderfully written and still highly controversial masterpiece of fiction.Set in the 1930's, in America's "Dust Bowl," this is the tale of the Joad family, a large clan of poor Oklahoma sharecroppers, and how they are forced into a decision to migrate to California. It's also the story of the many trials and sufferings that they endure during their long and harrowing journey. Forces of nature and the forces of economics have conspired to force the Joads off their farms. So, this proud, hard-working family, sells most of their worldly possessions in order to buy a run-down old jalopy. The whole family - Ma and Pa; Granma and Granpa; Tom (the oldest son, and an ex-convict recently paroled from prison); Al (Tom's younger brother); Uncle John (Pa's brother); Ruthie and Winfield (Ma and Pa's youngest children); the heavily pregnant Rose of Sharon (Tom's younger sister) and her husband Connie; and the Reverend Jim Casy (a family "friend") - pack themselves, along with their essential goods, aboard their decrepit old vehicle, and depart for the "promised land" on America's west coast. The vast majority of this compelling novel tells the story of the Joads' plight while on the road. They are almost immediately confronted with the death of a loved one. This compounds their grief at the loss of their home and possessions. They find that most people they meet along the way despise, reject, and vilify them as dirty, filthy "Okies;" they receive aid and comfort from very few along their route. Yet, they remain undaunted; throughout their struggles, they remain focused on the ultimate realization of a dream: jobs, high pay, and a new life in California. The great climax of "The Grapes of Wrath" sees the Joads once again suffering in unspeakable squalor as they attempt to survive the violent forces of nature and humanity in this, the great western "promised land." The basic plot of "The Grapes of Wrath" is exciting, suspenseful, gripping, and possessed with a terrible beauty. It is written perhaps in the finest traditions of the early twentieth century "muckraking" novels, exposing, as it does, the worst societal ills that were prevalent in American society of the 1930's. This book serves as Steinbeck's soapbox, as he deplores the exploitation of California's migrant workers during this era. Indeed, the author is frequently barely able to contain his moral outrage at the sufferings of thousands of "Okies," and their often violent treatment by landowners, businessmen, and even law enforcement officials. "The Grapes of Wrath" abounds with wonderful character studies. The effects of indescribable suffering and abject poverty give Ma Joad the steel to evolve from her traditional role as a silent, obedient wife to become the true leader of the family. Conversely, Pa Joad's traditional role seems to diminish; he recognizes the fact, and, after only brief resistance, he defers to his wife's new role. Tom, ever so careful not to do anything to jeopardize his parole at the outset, finds himself increasingly outraged at his family's plight, and emboldened to action as a result. This novel's central theme is still as relevant today as it was in 1939: the growing disparity between the "haves" - the rich - and the "have nots" - the poor. Perhaps this is the real reason why the book still generates such controversy. It holds a mirror up to us, and forces us to confront some unpleasant truths that we, as an "enlightened" society, would rather not face. And that, in itself, makes this brilliant book well worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: What More Can Be Said
Review: "The Grapes Of Wrath" is an American Classic. You've got to read this one. Although it isn't as colorful as much of Steinbeck's work, it is a wonderful story of a very important part of our nation's history. It's very much worth your time.
Rating:
Summary: A classic
Review: "The Grapes of Wrath" a true American Classic is one of the most outstanding books that I have ever read. It does not fail to leaves its mark on a reader. This serious master-piece has its setting during the "Great Depression" and gives a general view of the 1930's. John Steinbeck who may be the greatest chronicler of this cataclysm wrote this THE GRAPES OF WRATH which is about the struggles of the poor during this time. In the story, the Joad family endures many struggles on their way to find work in California and their lives are a microcosm of struggles of the poor during this time. Like thousands of other families, they encounter hunger, violence, betrayals, setbacks and despair. Yet the Joads maintained dignity, courage, and hope to recover. America was fortunate in that the poor did maintain these virtues which kept their hopes alive and made them not to rebel and throw the nation into anarchy. The nation was also lucky with the ascension to power of Roosevelt. THE GRAPES OF WRATH shows how a people with hope and a leadership committed to its people can overcome disaster to become strong again.
Also recommended: DISCIPLES OF FORTUNE, OF MICE AND MEN, WAR AND PEACE
Rating: 
Summary: Simply put...extremely awful
Review: I am a Junior in High School and am instinctually drawn to literature. This novel was a required reading, but that didn't spoil the story for me. The story did that itself. I have never been so bored in my life. Honestly, I'm astounded to find that so many people "loved" this book. While the story did have a great moral to go along with it, it was about dirt! Dirt and migrating. Dirt and migrating and more dirt. I couldn't even sit down to read it for more than 15 minutes before dozing off. What an awful summer read. I even think I chucked it out the balcony once. But please, decide for yourself. Opinions on literature are very diverse, so make your own, and make sure not to operate heavy machinery while reading this one. Things could get drowsy.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book and Depiction of the Depression Era
Review: I can't say enough about this book or the author, John Steinbeck. "The Grapes of Wrath" is a heart-wrenching story about a family and its struggles and perseverence through the Depression. It is so well written it makes you feel like you're there.
Bottom line: One of the best books I have ever read. Put it at the top of your "To Read" list.
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Summary: FELT BY MANY TO BE REQUIRED READING - I AGREE
Review: Certainly over the past several decades this book has been reviewed and rereviewed and I doubt if I have much to add that has not already been said. In many places, schools, classes, etc. it is required reading and I agree that it should be. It would be difficult to understand the evolution of American Literature without at least a cursory study of this work. It is quite likely in the top fifty of the works by American authors. I have made several readings of this book over the years and am still captivated by it. I must admit to amusement though. This work, like all other great works, goes through phases every few years. You will find periods of times when the literary elite like to pontificate endlessly as to their perceived weakness of this work. These folks eventually graduate from their freshman year and go on to admit in later years, that it is indeed a great work. Highly recommend this edition and certainly recommend this one be added to anyones reading list.
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: The Grapes of Wrath is a powerful, heart-wrenching story of a migrant family's struggle to find a better life in the "Promised Land." It begins with Tom Joad getting out of jail on parole, and coming home to find that his family was moving west to get out of the Dust Bowl.
Believing that California would be the land of opportunity, they left Oklahoma in search of a better life. The journey was difficult, and the difficulty they faced did not end as they entered California. Rather than finding themselves in the land of opportunity, they had to endure horrible living conditions and low wages.
Throughout all of this, Tom Joad is running from the law because he violated his parole by leaving California. Although he has broken the law, he dedicates his life to doing good. The lives of the Joad family are filled with overwhelming disappointment and anguish, but there is a small spark of hope for the future and for humankind which transcends this sorrow.
The story will captivate you, but to appreciate this masterpiece you must read his words, not only his ideas. The Grapes Of Wrath is not just a novel; it is a flawless piece of artwork filled with figurative language, brilliant characterization, illustrative description and euphonic, melodious words. The structure of the story is very interesting as well. There are interchapters, short stories giving some background about this time period, woven throughout the entire story, and they are reflected in the later chapters.
This was the most interesting and most beautifully written story that I've read in a long time. Buy it.
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