The Pulitzer Prize-winning epic of the Great Depression, a book that galvanized—and sometimes outraged—millions of readers.First published in 1939, Steinbeck’s Pulitzer Prize-winning epic of the Great Depression chronicles the Dust Bowl migration of the 1930s and tells the story of one Oklahoma farm family, the Joads—driven from their homestead and forced to travel west to the promised land of … promised land of California. Out of their trials and their repeated collisions against the hard realities of an America divided into Haves and Have-Nots evolves a drama that is intensely human yet majestic in its scale and moral vision, elemental yet plainspoken, tragic but ultimately stirring in its human dignity. A portrait of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless, of one man’s fierce reaction to injustice, and of one woman’s stoical strength, the novel captures the horrors of the Great Depression and probes into the very nature of equality and justice in America. At once a naturalistic epic, captivity narrative, road novel, and transcendental gospel, Steinbeck’s powerful landmark novel is perhaps the most American of American Classics.
This Centennial edition, specially designed to commemorate one hundred years of Steinbeck, features french flaps and deckle-edged pages.
For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500 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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This was my first encounter with Steinbeck and he showed amazing talent. Although I found the hard to read and I took me quite awhile to finish, it was no due to the writer’s ability but merrily to my own attention span. I found the Joad family story intriguing and insightful. Before reading this I could not have imagined the misery of life of the migrant worker in California during the depression. Steinbeck’s novel is beautiful and definitely deserves to be read.
One of the great classic books of American literture, The Grapes of Wrath reveals a glimpse of the Great Depression that is haunting, revealing and historical. Wonderfully written, this story remains with you forever.
This will always be the best book that I have ever read. I am not a Steinbeck fan, but this book is beyond description. It is his masterpiece. I had not read it until 2 years ago because of my lukewarm feelings about Steinbeck, but I wish that I had read it longer ago so that I could have re-read it several times by now. It is a must read for anyone. If you never read any other books for the rest of your life (highly improbable, I know), please don’t miss reading this book. Some may think that it is old fashioned or not relevant, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. It will always be relevant because of the nature of our country and the nature of man.
Read this one paragraph, which is one long sentence.
“The concrete highway was edged with a mat of tangled, broken, dry grass, and the grass heads were heavy with oat beards to catch on a dog’s coat, and foxtails to tangle in a horse’s fetlocks, and clover burrs to fasten in sheep’s wool; sleeping life waiting to be spread and dispersed, every seed armed with an appliance of dispersal, twisting darts and parachutes for the wind, little spears and balls of tiny thorns, and all waiting for animals and the wind, for a man’s trouser cuff or the hem of a woman’s skirt, all passive but armed with appliances of activity, still, but each possessed the anlage of movement.”
Now, that’s great writing!
I just read this great novel again. It is a masterpiece. The characters are real and pierce your heart. It is worth second read or a third for those of you interested. Amazing.
I know this is a classic! And after reading it, it certainly is THE BEST work of literature I have ever read…..that’s well over a thousand books. The character development is awesome, if you met them, you’d know them well. The locations were like viewing personal photos; some black & white, others in crisp color. This is the type you wouldn’t want to set down. Its length is perfect; although I wish it would continue. This wasn’t my first John Steinbeck, nor the last. If you never read his books, start with Cannery Row or Tortilla Flat. If you never read this book due its size, read it; it is by far well worth the effort!
3 out of 5 stars to The Grapes of Wrath, written in 1939 by John Steinbeck. I might have an unpopular opinion when it comes to this book, as it was fine but nothing fantastic for me. I admit, I read this in middle school, nearly 25 years ago, and never went back to read it again. I tend not to like books about awful things as the main plot. I don’t mind when bad things happen, or circumstances change, but when the entire book is about the pain and suffering of a family, it doesn’t usually rise to the top of my TBR. I might consider giving this one another chance, but you have some major convincing to do. I like Steinbeck, too, so it’s not so much an issue with the author as it is with the topic. The writing is strong. The imagery is good. The characters are well drawn. The setting is very detailed. But when it comes to the plight of a family against the hardships all around them, it’s a difficult read. Part of my issue may have been a connection with the story. While I certainly don’t have a real-life connection with my favorite books (mysteries, thrillers…), you need to have an understanding and recognition between what’s happening and how you live. Coming from the northeast, in a major metropolitan city, 50+ years after these times, it doesn’t start off as something I’m familiar with. I usually don’t read things about this time period or space for those reasons. If the characters called to me, I might have liked it more. Don’t get me wrong… it’s a good book. And it’s got a place in the world of classics. And it helped highlight a lot of wrongs that people weren’t aware of. And maybe because I learned those lessons from other books and other places, this one just didn’t seem all that top notch to me. That said, it’s Steinbeck, so there is something of value here. No one can tell reality like he can.
An incredible perspective on how the Dust Bowl and Depression impacted a simple American farming family.
The few opening paragraphs describe the Dust Bowl better than any other novel or even “The Worst Hard Times”. Steinbeck at his socialist, populist best ever.
This great work was panned by both the left and the right.
There is a reason why they call books classics. This novel from page one to the end is that and a whole lot more. Everyone should read this book.
I’m glad I waited until i was older to read this so that I could appreciate it. I think if I had been younger it just wouldn’t have meant as much. The writing is so incredible you take this journey with the family and parts of the book will live with you forever.
This question of the week is a tough one. The first book that comes to mind is The Grapes of Wrath. I read this book as a young adult and it really opened my eyes to the plight of people during the Great Depression.
The DEFINITIVE story of the great migration from the Dustbowl to the West, and all the layers of man-made disaster (environmental and financial) that created the monster. If you read only one book in your life about the Great American Depression, read this one!
Steinbeck describes the Dust Bowl Era so well that you can picture yourself in that time. You understand how the family lost their farm and why they ventured to California. What a haunting story! Excellent!
A haunting narrative of the dust bowl era.
A must read
Classic American literature giving up-close view of the Depression and Dust Bowl.
A classic.
One of the most informative and tragic books, based on real life, that I have ever read.
A true classic!