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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One of my favorite short novels, this is definitely worth a couple hours if you haven’t read it. A profound commentary on human nature that makes me cry every time.
Of all the books I read in high school, Of Mice and Men is one that had a real impact on me. Maybe it was because it was “grown up” realistic fiction – dealing with themes and situations that decreased my youthful naiveté. There was so much in these characters that made me realize that no one is all good or all bad. Steinbeck develops his characters so well in this story. I still remember feeling so torn when evaluating Lennie’s actions – can a mentally disabled man truly be held responsible for his actions? Is George right to try and protect him? Books like this open the door for deep and thoughtful discussion, which is important especially to a high schooler developing their own independent thoughts and moral foundations.
It is nearly impossible to choose which of Steinbeck’s books I like best. Read any one of them and you will be happy! The way he describes his characters and locations is so detailed and beautiful. The plots are thought provoking and give you much to contemplate.
If you’re not familiar with his writing I recommend starting with Of Mice and Men, it is not as long as some others and is a compelling story. If you don’t like it you probably won’t like his other works and if you love it then read them all!
This book is a true classic, i.e. Steinbeck at his best. If you’ve read any Steinbeck then you know what I mean by this, if you haven’t then you need to read some right away. This probably isn’t the best book to start with, but it’s definitely something that should be read if you value friendship. Steinbeck shows the true meaning of friendship with Lennie and George. These men are truly friends to the end. This book doesn’t have a happily ever after ending, but it does have a very touching heartfelt one that will make you cry out OMG! in spite of yourself.
A true classic…everybody should read this book!
This is a short, simple story. Its structure reminded me of a playscript with characters coming on for a scene then leaving the “stage”. A prime example of show not tell, it depicts a friendship and poses moral questions. Suitable for teens and up. Well worth reading.
It’s a classic and it’s a great book.
Steinbeck delivered what I consider to be his magnum opus with Of Mice and Men. The true essence of friendship between two men, one of modest means and congenial intelligence, the other a kind simpleton with no sense of his own monstrous strength. Every detail in this novella is a case study about the essence of humanity and its relationship to society. This work is as flawless as it is timeless, developing in so few pages what most novels fail to accomplish in an obese novel.
4 out of 5 stars to Of Mice and Men, a novel written in 1937 by John Steinbeck. What a heartbreaking book… many students in American high schools read this one around 9th or 10th grade, and it provokes such sensitive topics to be discussed. A quick summary: Lenny and George are drifters looking for work. Lenny is a little slow and has a few disabilities that weren’t addressed when he was younger, likely due to time time period (early 20th century) when they had ability to ignore these types of illnesses. Unfortunately, it has disastrous consequences for him and for George. Men can be cruel. So can be women. Lenny tends to hold on to things a little too tightly when he’s scared. He’s lost a few pets and things he loved, as a result. One day, a woman pushes him a little too far, more than he’s capable of understanding, and he reacts in fear. George must find a way to cover it up, and his only recourse is to take his own disastrous actions. No spoilers here, but you probably get the drift already. No matter if you know the end, you still need to read the story to see how people treat one another because they are different or they aren’t perceptive enough to understand their own consequences.
This books helps people understand what happens when you lose control. It helps you figure out what you might need to do to protect someone. And it helps show who’s (wo)man enough to stand up for others or to sit back and watch bad things happen. It’s charged and full of emotion and fear. I struggled a little with some of the secondary characters and the setting, no my favorite. If it were set in a bit more modern times, I might have given this one a 5. But it’s absolutely worth reading whenever you have a chance to find a quiet corner and be ready for a bit of a cry and a flood of questions, answers and thoughts.
If you somehow escaped reading this in school, now is your chance. “Of Mice and Men” is an amazing story. It has become a part of the cultural lexicon of the Unite States. One of the finest novellas in the English language. As an added bonus, you will understand the oft-asked cartoon question: “Can I pet the rabbits George, Can I?”
I FUCKING LOVED THIS BOOK. GREAT IMAGERY AND WRITING STYLE. EVERYTHING FROM THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. I RECOMEND TO ANYONE
We had to read this for my high school English class and I actually enjoyed it! Great characters and a twisted plot that kept me intrigued to the end!
This is a book of characters who aspire to go places, but never quite get there. It is the only book that brought me to tears when I finished the last pages. You feel for both Lennie and George throughout, and while it’s hard to read of the abuse towards the former, it allows you to see the depth and strength of the bond that both men have with each other. Companionship and loneliness are two recurring themes throughout this simple, yet impactful story.
this should still be required reading for everyone.
First time i read this book i was in junior high. since than i can’t remember how many time i have read it and watch the movie.
This book was about love, hope and team work, The need to rely on someone else to get you thur.
I loved it. Wonderful writing while being short and to the sad point.
Great book!
There are a few books that re-set my tastes from juvenile fiction to adult reading. This was one of them. It made me so angry I just wanted to scream.
This is my 4th time and I still see something new each time