Steinbeck’s tough yet charming portrait of people on the margins of society, dependant on one another for both physical and emotional survivalA Penguin Classic Published in 1945, Cannery Row focuses on the acceptance of life as it is: both the exuberance of community and the loneliness of the individual. Drawing on his memories of the real inhabitants of Monterey, California, including longtime … Monterey, California, including longtime friend Ed Ricketts, Steinbeck interweaves the stories of Doc, Dora, Mack and his boys, Lee Chong, and the other characters in this world where only the fittest survive, to create a novel that is at once one of his most humorous and poignant works. In her introduction, Susan Shillinglaw shows how the novel expresses, both in style and theme, much that is essentially Steinbeck: “Scientific detachment, empathy toward the lonely and depressed . . . and, at the darkest level . . . the terror of isolation and nothingness.”
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,800 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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I had a vague memory of reading this book. Even though vague I knew I had. I turned to some reviews of this book and with each review I read my memory of it became more clear. With this memory at the fore front of my mind, I remember how moving this story was. At least 20 years have passed since I read this. With that said, the point of this review is that this book is most definitely a good read otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to recall it so easily. I most definitely recommend this, not only to everyone considering reading it, but to myself as well. I have put it on my list of books to read and will be reading it again in the near future.
I had not read Cannery Row since I was a kid, I was curious to read it again with my adult point of view. I was not disappointed and probably could appreciate this wonderful storytelling, and empathize with the characters more, having lived my own complicated life.
Steinbeck tells a story and takes you to places that are familiar, with energy, wit, and heart. He is a true “National Treasure.”
I will continue through the rest of my Steinbeck journey, reading his vast works again, and then I will revisit “Vonnegut” and “Pearl Buck” with the same anticipated enjoyment as I again familiarize myself with these old friends.
Cannery Row could only have been written by John Steinbeck . A wonderful piece of kindness .
This is a great read. Hey, It’s Steinbeck!! Held one star back only because I don’t think it is his best, but still some of the finest writing in the English language.
this series ” cannery row”, “sweet thursday”, “mosquito flat” is, to me, the most readable of steinbeck´s work
I’ve read quite a lot by Steinbeck but this book, “Cannery Row”, is different than the others that I’ve read. It has an unusual structure and quite a bit of humor sprinkled throughout. There are the usual characters at the lower end of society but they enjoy life, appreciate and care for one another, and for the most part live honest lives, even if not always entirely legal.
Fabulous, funny at times, poignant, unforgettable. Steinbeck may be the best fiction writer ever!
John Steinbeck is original, comes up with great character descriptions which make you want to keep on reading!
I’ve always loved reading Steinbeck. I’ve read this one several times and wanted to have a book version besides my kindle version so my grand daughter could read it with me in our own private “book club”.
What is there to say it is by Steinbeck and it does not get any better.