Of Mice and Men

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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: 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: A perfect example of John Steinbeck's skills as a writer. In only a little over hundred pages, John Steinbeck quickly sets up a storyline and relantionship that comes to a heart-cutting conclusion that gets you far deepr and sharper then most novels that'd need hundreds of pages just to delude its characters that'd you'd feel as much for as Lennie and George, this novel's two main protagonists.

In a short summary George and Lennie are simply two rootless drifters-for-sale who go around and pretty much take up any job available. george is "small and quick and dark of face" while Lennie is a disturbingly large and powerful giant with a mentally stunted child's mind. Lennie and George are very much outcasts from society, but when it comes to George, such a rootless life is of his emotional chaining to the Lennie whom he knows that he cannot leave behind. George stresses to Lennie that, if it wasn't for him, he could live an easy, comfortable lif, complete with a woman. But he knows however, that he cannot leave Lennie behind, this great man-child.

this relationship, based on both George's disdain and regret for having to pur down his chances for an easy life to help guide and protect Lennie and his own love for this great giant, not to mention their dreams of someday having their land, a place to call their own, is central and integral to story. Not much needs to be said here, but I'll just leave it at that thi book's ending could quite possibly end up being the most emotionally quick, sharp, andpuncturing ending in all fo the history of literature. And only a great writer like John Steinbeck could possibly ascend to the demands of such a great task.

Anyhow, it comes down to this simple message; buy, read, and watch your eyes get teary.

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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: Quite a book
Review: Overall, John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is really a good book. Even though it's rather short, it delivers its message quite well. The book opens with George and Lennie near the Salinas River south of Soledad, California. Lennie is a big, loveable guy who isn't very smart, but is easily pleased. Lennie loves to stroke soft things, and has a mouse in his hands that he accidentally killed by petting it too hard. Lennie's portrayal is extremely sympathetic and sentimental, but I couldn't help but like him, regardless of his flaws. George is the little man behind Lennie; he acts as the big man's brain in guiding him and keeping him out of trouble. The two travel and work together and have a friendship unlike anything most other characters in the novel have ever experienced. The book really got me to feel like I knew the characters, especially Lennie, and to pity them. The underlying theme of man's innate loneliness and his need for companionship is a bit dark and pessimistic for my taste, but is delivered tactfully with the repeated story of George and Lennie's farm where Lennie will be able to tend rabbits while the two live off the fatta the lan' offers hope so the book can be easily stomached by someone with a more optimistic worldview. All things considered, I would definitely recommend this book for everyone to read; the ideas behind it should be considered by all.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect!
Review: This book is one of the classics of American literature, and it's easy to see why. Rarely in history has so perfect a novel been written, has an author so brilliantly made use of language and story, have characters so vivid and human and real been created. This does not mean merely Lennie and George, but the secondary characters as well; any of them could have their own novel, so complete has Steinbeck made them. Even Curley's wife, who is not even given a name, comes to life for the reader in ways that few authors can achieve. The ending will leave you breathless and overwhelmed.

The story? Simplicity itself. Two men, seeking something better than they have, bound by friendship in a world where such a thing is rare in the extreme. It's a theme that resonates at the very definition of humanity itself, and which Steinbeck handles with the touch of a master.

It is hard to rate such a book; it deserves ten stars. There are other good books about friendship out there, but fine though these may be, they will forever be in the shadow of "Of Mice and Men". Steinbeck's was one Nobel Prize that was unquestionably deserved.

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Summary: Review of Of Mice and Men
Review: Of Mice and Men is an amazing tale of two men on a voyage to live big! George is a man of low tolerance, and is traveling with the slow, but warm-hearted, Lenny. I think the book was a well written story of how you can't take advantage of anyone, especially if they don't know that you are doing it. Also, that you can't be too hard on a person who doesn't understand, because then they never will. I think it was a good book because it provided many lessons that included those ones. John Steinbeck introduced, and protrayed the characters in a manner that was very intriguing and realistic. The way he showed Lenny to not be prejudice against Crooks because he didn't see the difference in them privded a good connection with how real people should act. All around Of Mice and Men was a very good book and I would recommend it because it can change the way you think about certain people.

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Summary: Of Mice and Greatness!!!!!!
Review: Of Mice and Men is truly a masterpiece. John Steinbeck does it again. This is a story about a mentally retarded man who travels around with his friend. They go to a ranch and a lot of things go amiss. I don't want to give it away. The way Steinbeck wrote this book was very powerful and meaningful. There is definitely a strong message buried into the pages of this tragic novelization. If you're looking for a well-written, to the point book, you should buy Of Mice and Men.

Rating:
Summary: Pleasant read
Review: There are only a couple of perfect books in the world; books that need little or no explaining; books where everything comes together; books that leave you satisfied and feeling better about the world. You can count them on one hand: To Kill a Mockingbird is one. East of Eden, another. The Bark of the Dogwood is one, and yes, finally, Of Mice and Men.

Basically the story of two friends, this seemingly simple story is actually one of deep emotions and psychological complexity. The two friends couldn't be more opposite from one another, both physically and mentally, and this only makes for more tension in the story. But the resolution is beautiful. The only other books I liked better than this were Steinbeck's East of Eden and McCrae's Bark of the Dogwood.

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Summary: mice and men
Review: My name is Priscilla Limon and i was assigned to read John Steinbecks novel OF MICE AND MEN. I really enjoyed reading the book. I think this book is about friendship like for example when George and Lennie were running away from the town Weed. Curleys wife goes into the barn with Lennie, and then he starts to feel Curleys hair, she starts to scream and then he breaks her neck. George finds out that he did it and tells him to run away. Then George kills Lennie and then himself. Because he didnt want curley to do it. This is a great book because it shows the meaning of friendship.