A controversial tale of friendship and tragedy during the Great DepressionA Penguin Classic Over seventy-five years since its first publication, Steinbeck’s tale of commitment, loneliness, hope, and loss remains one of America’s most widely read and taught novels. An unlikely pair, George and Lennie, two migrant workers in California during the Great Depression, grasp for their American Dream. … for their American Dream. They hustle work when they can, living a hand-to-mouth existence. For George and Lennie have a plan: to own an acre of land and a shack they can call their own. When they land jobs on a ranch in the Salinas Valley, the fulfillment of their dream seems to be within their grasp. But even George cannot guard Lennie from the provocations, nor predict the consequences of Lennie’s unswerving obedience to the things George taught him.
Of Mice and Men represents an experiment in form, which Steinbeck described as “a kind of playable novel, written in a novel form but so scened and set that it can be played as it stands.” A rarity in American letters, it achieved remarkable success as a novel, a Broadway play, and three acclaimed films. This edition features an introduction by Susan Shillinglaw, one of today’s leading Steinbeck scholars.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 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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The story Of Mice and Men surrounds 2 close friends, George and Lennie, as they hope for a better future traveling through the mid 1930’s during the Great Depression, and trying to find a place to start their lives as they meet people along the way.
I really enjoyed reading this novel because of the message and Life lessons learned throughout it.
“Of Mice and Men” is a literary classic. Let me be clear, I’m no Steinbeck fan. His work is a bit depressing for my personal tastes. My first introduction was “The Pearl” which was in 7th grade. That was a depressing read, much more so than this book, which I bought as research material for a writing project.
This is not a novel. It is a novella which is described by Wikipedia as a “written, fictional, narrative prose normally longer than a short story but shorter than a novel”.
However, given the period this was written in (1937), the events of the time have to be considered when giving this book a fair rating. This was written during the Great Depression (1929-1939) following the Dust Bowl (1934, 1936, 1939-1940). With the historical context, it is easy to see why the book is written the way it is. Each writer has a different prose to them. It doesn’t make the book any less valuable – it certainly cannot be compared to Harry Potter or Twilight. And, yes I’ve read the Twilight novels.
While this book is required reading in schools, there are lessons to learn from this novel – dreams, loneliness, human interaction, oppression, abuse, harshness of the time period, misunderstanding of mental illness, harsh working environment, as well as poverty, and dealing with an unspeakable act. This book captures all of this in a small, compact novel.
In researching this book, I learned that Steinbeck was bindle stiff, “for quite a spell”. There was a real life Lennie who Steinbeck personally worked with, and this is where he got the basis for the character. FYI: the real Lennie was put into an asylum when he murdered a range foreman.
The story also showcases an unlikely friendship between George, a smart, but uneducated man and Lennie. Lennie is huge, gentle but strong, but has the mind of a small child who enjoys petting soft things. This usually leads to trouble due to his strength and not understanding how forceful he can get.
The two are day laborers in the dusty fields of California, moving from one town to another. They dream of eventually having their own farm. The story begins with them having been chased out of one town after Lennie “petted” a girl’s skirt. They are heading to a new farm.
George, as usual, laments his life would be better without Lennie. Lennie threatens to runaway, but George tells him that he will look out for him as they are family. Even at the new place, George continues to look out for his friend. They also make new friends and the dream of having their own place is beginning to take shape. The owner’s lonely wife comes around, tempting Lennie.
Eventually Lennie gives into the temptation and ends up accidentally killing the owner’s wife. Lennie runs away and George; seeing that Lennie faces cruel incarceration (strapped down and put in a cage) or torture from the owner (Curley shooting Lennie’s guts out); makes the heart-breaking decision to kill his friend.
George clearly struggled with it – but it was the more humane option. Lennie did not know what was going on, how bad a crime he committed, or the consequences of that action. There were very few protections for the mentally ill during that time, especially those who accidentally killed someone. George’s “mercy” killing of Lennie was done out of love/concern rather than revenge, which would be unthinkable today, especially by reading the other reviews.
This is perhaps one of the more controversial points, and that is why it is crucial to understand the time in which the novella is set in.
There have been challenges made to ban the book due to racial slurs, racist language, defamatory statements to women and minorities, maltreatment of the mentally handicapped, blasphemy, excessive cursing, vulgarity, violence, lurid passages about sex, and the morbid/depressing theme.
However, this book can be used as a teaching aid to compare the time in which it was published and today’s ethical decisions and legal protections.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
1937
Fiction
This short yet powerful book is still as unsettling now as it was when I first read it many, many years ago. The characters are rough around the edges with a desperate longing for a place to call home. The story takes place in California where day laborers find their way from ranch to farm making money to survive. George and Lennie find their way to yet another job to escape the trouble that inadvertently finds Lennie. Despite their struggles, the two men maintain hope and optimism that their hard work will eventually resolve their difficult life. The language used in the book is indicative of the characters historically and socioeconomically. Ultimately, the ethical dilemmas remain through the years. Is it okay to do the right thing for the wrong reasons? Or the wrong thing for the right reasons? Is it right to judge and decide what’s best for the greater good?
A classic for all time.
This is a hard book to put down. I loved it.
Excellent reading ,never boring .
Love Steinbeck
Very sad.
Good boom, tragic ending.
Such a good book, but then Steinbeck is one of my favorite authors. He understood the human condition.
A classic that is absolutely timeless and always a favorite among students.
Love John Steinbeck
Read this book many years ago and the message has stayed with me.
Steinbeck is one of my favorite authors. I have never read a book of his that I did not like
It’s a true classic.
Tragic and heart-breaking. One of my favorites along with a short story by Steinbeck called “The Chrysanthemum.” Look for it. In fact, read all his short fiction. Outstanding, just like Of Mice and Men.
Heartbreaking in the loveliest way.
A classic story, detailing the effects of the Great Depression and the exposing human nature at its best and worst. Great characterization and dialogue drive the story towards its haunting end.
insight into humanity