- Details
- Full Record
- Additional Info
Searching for more content…
Searching for more content…0143039431
Opinion
From Library Staff
From Library Staff
Challenged for language and sexual references in the book.
The story of a farm family's Depression-era journey from the Dustbowl of Oklahoma to the California migrant labor camps in search of a better life. A classic book still popular for book groups.
From the critics
Community Activity
Age
Add Age Suitabilityrolandtshen thinks this title is suitable for between the ages of 1 and 2
Quotes
Add a QuotePa sniffed. "Seems like times is changed," he said sarcastically. "Time was when a man said what we'd do. Seems like women is tellin' now. Seems like it's purty near time to get out a stick."
Ma put the clean dripping tin dish out on a box. She smiled down at her work. "You get your stick, Pa," she said. "Times when they's food an' a place to set, then maybe you can use your stick an' keep your skin whole. But you ain't a-doin' your job, either a-thinkin' or a-workin'. If you was, why, you could use your stick, an' women folks'd sniffle their nose an' creep-mouse aroun'. But you jus' get you a stick now an' you ain't lickin' no woman; you're a-fightin', 'cause I got a stick all laid out too."
Pa grinned with embarrassment. "Now it ain't good to have the little fellas hear you talkin' like that," he said.
"You get some bacon inside the little fellas 'fore you come tellin' what else is good for 'em," said Ma.
LOVE this! Ma is such a strong and wonderful character.
Comment
Add a Commentthe pace was too slow for me. I give it 1 stars
Despite its 1930's publication date and an arduous pace reflective of the time, the story this book tells about progress and its effect on those who are left behind is just as relevant now as it was then. Some of the statements made seemed so current that I felt they were anachronistic and had to check the publication date to remind myself that the book was written when it was set.
the pace is slow, but that's the tempo that works for the story. Absolutely the best book I've ever read
It started slow. I finally got interested, but it was such a depressing story throughout!
Funny & Epic.Loved it.
A really fantastic story. I admit that I skim-read every other chapter, when the narration was omniscient and attributed to no known characters, but the main story following the Joad's was great.
This novel centres on the Joad family as they journey to California after being uprooted from their land during the Dust Bowl. Steinbeck's description of the farmers-become-migrants, their hopes, fears and pluck as they face hardship and prejudice stirs feelings of empathy and admiration.
I read this when I was 16 and it devastated me - the ending was so complexly bittersweet that I cried for 2 hours over it! Steinbeck drags you through the mud and the dirt and the hunger and the desperation and the indignation that the characters are experiencing, and you experience it right along with them. Harrowing, intense, depressing, and beautiful. Everyone should read this book!
Starts off slow, but then it pulls you in. Profoundly moving, and the ending took my breath away.
What a bitter pill to swallow! Great great social commentary but the constant inequity and continued struggles with no end in sight made me stop reading. Maybe I will continue but only in single chapters at a time. I am glad I am not a depressed person. The book could put me over the edge...However, some of the imagery is stunning and dialogue most insightful. Steinbeck superbly creates living characters in the book.