Of Mice and Men

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Summary: Of Mice and Men
Review: I've read Of Mice and Men and really enjoyed it. Everyone should experience this book at least once in their life.
I think Steinbeck recreated the life of two CA migrant workers well. The way he describes the scenes makes me paint a picture in my mind. The words and slang he writes in the character's dialog is the way people talked then so that's appropriate.
The characters in the book are so lifelike. I feel like I know them. Each character has his or her own story and personality. This makes them very believable. Also the way they talk is how real people would talk back then.
This book is great for young readers. I think everyone should get a chance to read it. In the book it teaches lessons like honesty. A big lesson in this book is the value of friendship. It also speaks of many social issues. Some of them are: racism, assisted suicide, and animal rights. This is a wonderful book.....so read it!!!
Thanks For Listening,
Hayley

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Summary: jack jophef
Review: ilike this book alot if i was the author of this book i would give myself a pat on the back. this book told me who it is to be a person that has a problem. i thing that this is a realy realy good

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Summary: gripping classic!
Review: Imagine lying in the grass with your head facing the stars, a stream trickling by. You can hear the stream seem to lull you in, and you feel the pleasures of a hot, crackling fire, being managed by someone else. Sounds perfect, right? Well, for George, in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, it is anything but perfect. George is taking care of a man named Lennie, who is mentally ill, and dangerous at that. After grabbing a girl and not letting go, Lennie, under George's strict supervision, is helped to flee. They find a job at a farm in the country, and things are going well- at least, that's how it seems. This book combines distinguished writing with a remarkable plot, summing up to a great, touching ending.

At the beginning of each chapter Steinbeck describes the setting of the chapter. This technique is fine for some, but bad for others. This style forces the reader who isn't interested yet to read about the place that is being described. If Steinbeck waited a while to explain these things, readers would really be interested in what they were reading (whereas in the beginning of the chapter this isn't so). However, some people disagree and like to have lots of description so they know exactly what they're reading about. A perfect example is the beginning of the second chapter. After explaining the setting of this room in great detail, Steinbeck pauses. Then he goes on to say, "The door opened and a tall, stoop-shouldered old man came in. He was dressed in blue jeans and he carried a big push-broom in his left hand. Behind him came George, and behind George, Lennie."

But after the beginning of each chapter, description dwindles to a perfect amount. The book really flows with dialogue and description combined. The dialogue is used in such a critical way, and Steinbeck really took advantage of the fact that he could express whatever he wanted through dialogue. This writing style also makes the readers able to suspect things, rather than to be told things. Readers are left to figure it out for themselves, making it more believable as well. At the end of the book, it is hard to understand what is happening until you read the dialogue that followed the action. This was a great aspect of the book.

Another clever thing Steinbeck established in the beginning of the book was a theme of a farm with rabbits, in which George and Lennie are to live off the fatta the lan'. It is shown very clearly (also through dialogue) that this is Lennie's dream, what he lives for. It also gives the reader hope, which makes people want to continue reading- they want to find out if this dream or wish ever happens. It is a sign of a good author that he can convey emotions so strongly. One of the most touching books, Of Mice and Men stands out. Steinbeck was gutsy in his choices as a writer, and because of that, the ending doesn't make the reader necessarily feel sad, the reader feels moved. Something Steinbeck does a good job of is making readers change their mind so many times about what they think of Lennie, and if they feel sorry for George, admire George, hope Lennie dies for George's sake... the list goes on.

This was one of the best classic novels. It is a good book to read if you're looking for something that can draw you in in a short time, and it is hard to put down once you start. Of Mice and Men is definitely a classic worth reading- and re-reading. It is amazing that Steinbeck was able to write this story with such a compellng writing style, gripping plot, and high level of emotion in so few pages.

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Summary: Of Mice and Men
Review: In the book Of Mice and Men i thought he did a real good job about explaing the time period then. I could tell because a lot of people were praticly going around the workd looking for a job on a ranch. And when they did not have any cars back then, they had horses. Most of all, I liked how Steinbeck created his characters, how they were all different from each other. I think this could be a believable story, he made the characters have a converstation with someone you would normalie have. He described the characters really well, how there personality was, how the react to things, and what they want to become. I think this book would be good for young adults to read because you could learn a little more about friendship in this book. You could see how lucky we are that we have new creations. I think one of the lessons you learn in this book is friendship. You need to know how much a friend means to you. One of the Social Issues comes in place is racism, they use a lot of words that isn't really nice, and it could hurt someones feelings.
THANX
AMY ST

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Summary: "To your own friend be true"
Review: Inspired by Steinbeck's centennial celebrations last year, I picked up a copy of "Of Mice and Men" because I had read it was a thriller of sorts. As a mystery fan and writer, I am always interested in sudden apocalyptic dénouements. I read the book in a couple of hours and, let me tell you, I'm still thinking about it two days later.

The story of George Milton and Lennie Small - who was, in every sense of the word, a "brute" - develops fast up to its high climax, and its end hits you like a thunderstorm. They are a couple of illiterate men who travel together, going from ranch to ranch in the Salinas valley at the time of the Great Depression, and "buck barley" for a living. They have no home or family, but they have each other, and they have a dream, which is repeated as an omen throughout the story: to save enough money to buy their own ranch and "live on the fatta the land." George, with a small physique, has assumed the role of caretaker of Lennie, who is mentally retarded but naturally (or unnaturally?) strong. This trait of his had cost them their last job, but no matter what, they continued to stick together, true to their dream and their promise of honest friendship. Two days later after they arrive at their new place of work, the picture is totally changed and - in order not to give away the ending - I'll say so is the dream.

This is an excellently crafted novella, where every single character, event and word has been assigned a key role; and only a writer as talented as Steinbeck could have achieved it. It no only takes full manageability of the writing craft, but also an implicit trust on behalf of your readers in order to accept such a moralizing tale. Personally I like Steinbeck's omniscience, and anyone who knows about the context of his lifetime would understand why he thought a writer should always offer something for the betterment of mankind.

"Of Mice and Men" offers a perspective into us. It is a rite of passage from dreams to reality and back, an understanding of the true nature of friendship and the shattering reality of its breakage, where the pieces can no longer be picked up because they are no longer important. A novel that will make you want to hug the people you consider your friends.

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Summary: Only the strong survive
Review: Much of John Steinbeck's fiction is set in the region where he was born and grew up, Salinas. Published in 1937, "Of Mice and Men" was the previous work before his Pulitzer Winner "The Grapes of Wrath". Set in Salinas, the novella is set against the backdrop of Depression-era America. The main characters, Lennie and George, are workers victimized by social and economical conditions of the period.

Steinbeck's works always received mixed reviews. He was hailed and the best writer of the 30s and 40s and received a Nobel Prize in 1962, but his critics say that his writings were superficial, sentimental, and overly moralistic. When it comes to "Of Mice and Men", many say that the narrative suffers from one-dimensional characters besides the extremely deterministic plot - that in the end its lesson turns out to be more important than the characters. Despite all these drawbacks, "Of Mice and Men" is still a minor masterpiece from one of the best North-American writers.

The predatory human nature is what feeds the pages of this book. Existentialism is the subtext when the all the characters struggle to survive in a inhospitable environment. Almost every characters admit at one point having had a profound sense of isolation and loneliness .By stating this, the writer proves that being powerful in eventual and dependable. Some characters are stronger than others most of the time, and the strength depends on to whom it is aimed. "Of mice and men" suggests that the most powerful kind of strength comes from the other's weakness.

Another strong point raised by Steinbeck is the impossibility of the American Dream. Every character in the book dreams of a different life. They want the freedom to follow their own desires. The two main characters dream of owning a farm, that would enable them to sustain themselves and would protect them from the inhospitable world.

To prove his point, the writer uses many symbols, most of them related to animals, like the mice that Lennie insists to keep. But the animals are always weaker than men. The puppies, for instance, represents the idea that only the stronger survives - in this case men.

But in the end, dreams have fallen apart. The characters are different and are supposed to have realized that dreams only exist in another sphere. In the real world there is no place for them. This is the same thematic that Steinbeck would bring in many of his novels, like "The Grapes of Wrath" and "East of Eden". "Of Mice and Men" is a short book and a relatively easy reading, but very rewarding.


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Summary: John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men: A Review
Review: My name is Kelly, and I am a junior in high school and I was recently assigned to read John Stienbeck's novel OF MICE AND MEN. I thouroughly enjoyed reading this book, for many different reasons. For instance, Steinbeck uses a storyline that grabs the attention of all ages, young or old. In the begining, we are introduced to George and Lennie the novel's two main characters. They are fleeing from their former hometown in search of a new job opportunity on a ranch located in the Salinas Valley. The two fathem a dream of owning their own ranch one day with lots of acres and rabbits. They work out a plan to earn money so this dream can be fulfilled. While on the ranch the young childish Lennie is objected to numerous situations, in which they put George in akward posiitions. George's loyalty is constantly tested throughout the novel. With a surprise ending their dream seems to fade away. This book is one everyone should read, because it teaches the meaning of friendship and the "American Dream".

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Summary: A Really Great Book
Review: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is a wonderful book. After I started reading it I couldn't put it down. It contains only 107 pages and is a pleasure to read. This book really puts an insight on Steinbeck's theory of the perfectability of man. All this means is that he believed that nomatter how different people were that they all could make a difference in society. The two main characters are George and Lenny. George is a short, smart, muscular man. Lenny is a large, strong, man with the mind of a small child. This very unlikely pair get into alot of trouble, but all they bolth want is a place of their own with chickens, rabbits, horses, and other farm animals. But all of their dreams are ruined because Lenny likes to touch and pet soft things. But when he gets scared all he wants to do is hold on to the soft things. Whether it be a pretty soft dress, or a young woman's soft hair. This book seems so real. I actually forgot that it was fiction. It takes you through life changing events, mishaps, and dreams of two poor laborers who just want a place of their own. Steinbeck's ability to amaze you is as always astonishing.

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Summary: Shocking, but yet exhilarating
Review: Of Mice and Men is a thrilling book which grabs your seat and makes you want to read all the way till the last page of the book. A classic John Steinbeck novel, it never ceases to excite readers with its unpredictable story. Two main characters, George and Lenny, starts off the journey with a dream but without the resources, they are left with nothing but their dreams. Of all friendships that started, George and Lenny's were the most unpredictable one. George, a small built guy with brains, and Lenny, a big built muscular guy but is no where as smart as George, were complete opposites. Throughout the book, George has no choice but to control Lenny is everyway and Lenny, being the strong man that he is, is not able to control himself without George, Lenny is lost in his world of his own which makes total chaos. To me, it is without a doubt that the best part of Steinbeck's writing is his ability to get into people's heart and able to play with their emotions. Throughout the novel, there are many wicked twists and that's what makes this novel enjoyable. As I started reading the book from the first page, the feeling of happiness was what I felt, but as it heads for the end, I felt the feeling of remorse and sadness. The novel itself, has a complex meaning behind it, a meaning which cannot be expressed by words, but can only be expressed by reading it. This is perhaps one of the classic novels. The novel was and I think still is banned from a couple of places in the world, and sometimes, it gets you thinking, why would they want to ban a book? Is it something the government of don't want to reveal to the public? Whatever it is, this is a classic novel that will always be part of America's history in literature.

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Summary: Compelling
Review: Of Mice and men is one of the most beautiful stories about friendship. The story is about two Americans. The thoughts and actions of the two southern are made open for the reader to enjoy and judge.

The favorite character in the book is Lenny. He came out in the story as and was innocent person with a mental defect. It reminded me somehow of Dostoyevsky's THE IDIOT. The amazing thing about this book is that not a lot of books are based on such unique characters. Another attractive aspect of Lenny is his physical strength and hardworking nature. Yet, despite his meek nature, he was dangerous in the sense that he even killed a woman out of fear.

Steinbeck successfully created a philosophical twist to life through this story by bringing to life strong but vulnerable characters that we all can relate to.

Another story I recommend is DISCIPLES OF FORTUNE