Cannery Row

Rating:
Summary: Masterpiece
Review: At the risk of sounding a little corny, I have to say that this book is a work of pure illumination. By that I mean that this book has shed a little light on my life and opened my eyes a little. It has reminded me not to look upon those that are financially inferior to yourself as "poor". These creatures are in many ways superior to yourself in their view of an easy going life without the troubles of money. I'm not saying that all homeless people are philosophers, but I am saying that the old adage is in fact true: "You can't judge a book by it's cover". For the benefit of yourself and those around you, I simply ask that you give this book a try. Above all, though remember as you're reading that not all the answers can be found on the surface. Sometimes digging a little deeper will reveal treasure.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: Cannery Row is like a painting. Created with a careful hand and wise heart, it is a simple portrait about a very eccentric and eclectic community that lives by the sea. The characters are foolish and their lives often are ridiculous but there is a familiarity. These are people that we know. These are sensibilities and personal virtues that we understand and share. They are us on our worst days and our best. If we had the chance to observe our lives from a far off place, we may see a story that unfolds like this book. Written in a style that is both lyrical in its efficiency and beautiful in simplicity, it is an easily accesible work that can be appreciated by everyone. This book does lack the gravity of other Steinbeck novels. Often presenting the plight of man immersed in modern society, drowning in the consequences of modern ideology, Steinbeck takes a softer, more humorous approach in this portrail of the human spirit. This book reads more like poetry about the daily rhythms of everyday life. This book is not going to rock nations, shatter governments, or upsurpt the foundation of any belief system that you adhere to but it will leave you with a private smile and a warm feeling for a small seaside community that exists somewhere at sometime.

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully Written, Steinbeck is a Literary Genius
Review: I chose to read this book for my sophmore American Lit. thesis paper. I had read "The Pearl" and "East of Eden" and enjoyed them as I did "Cannery Row". His style of writing intrigues me and he is definately one of my favorite authors. This lighthearted, humorous, and yet sadish book gives a realistic view of lower-class society without completely depressing the reader like other books I've read. I can't totally describe this book - you have to read it for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: Cannery Row is great
Review: I just finished cannery row and i would have to say that so far it is my favorite stienbeck story. i do not thinks there is any worthless chapters, as some people described, it is a very moving, simple, american story, one of the best.

Rating:
Summary: What a great book.
Review: This is my first Steinbeck. It will not be my last. I'm kicking myself for letting so many years of my life pass without reading anything written by this obviously gifted author. His style is so different and so smooth. The humor in this book is never forced. It creeps up on you as if not intended. I guess my ultimate compliment is that for a few days, I wanted to be a bum on Cannery Row.

Rating:
Summary: a wonderful delightful book
Review: I read this book shortly after visiting cannery row for a school feild trip. It was a wonderful book, and it was very immaginative. I read this book every once and a while, and I get something new out of it every time. When I read about Lee Chongs grocery store, I get a picture of it in my mind. This was a wonderfull book, in fact it is my favorite. I would reccommend it to anyone

Rating:
Summary: Good Book!
Review: This is a good book. And for me it was an enjoyable read. Be wared though... don't expect a powerfull and moving story. Expect a short enjoyable little story that stresses the importance of friendship. To sum things up... I liked it.

Rating:
Summary: Slow and pointless
Review: I have read several of Steinbeck's other works. They are generally good. This book, although, is slow moving and has several irrelevant chapters thrown in. The ending is definitely not what I expected.

Rating:
Summary: Book was disjointed, with one good example of such.
Review: Steinbeck had a wonderful ability to describe, but describing isn't enough unless one has something to describe that directs the story. Story? What story? Few of the "chapters" seemed to flow from or into the previous or following one. Example: what on earth was the point of the French physician embalming, and throwing away the liver ane entrails? Would someone fit that in for me?

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful prose
Review: Even when describing the most down to earth situation, Steinbeck enchants you with prose so beautiful you have to stop to savor it.