Nobel Prize winning author John Steinbeck, one of the greatest American writers of the twentieth century, offers a powerful but tragic tale in "Of Mice and Men". 'Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place'. George and his large, simple-minded friend Lennie are drifters, following wherever work leads them. Arriving in California's Salinas Valley, they get work on a ranch. If they can just stay out of trouble, George promises Lennie, then one day they might be able to get some land of their own and settle down some place. But kind-hearted, childlike Lennie is a victim of his own strength. Seen by others as a threat, he finds it impossible to control his emotions. And one day not even George will be able to save him from trouble. "Of Mice and Men" is a tragic and moving story of friendship, loneliness and the dispossessed. "A thriller, a gripping tale that you will not set down until it is finished. Steinbeck has touched the quick". ("New York Times"). Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck is remembered as one of the greatest and best-loved American writers of the twentieth century. His complete works are published by Penguin and include "Cannery Row", "The Pearl", "The Winter of Our Discontent" and "The Grapes of Wrath".
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
A thriller, a gripping tale that you will not set down until it is finished. Steinbeck has touched the quick The New York Times
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
About the Author
Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck is remembered as one of the greatest and best-loved American writers of the twentieth century. His complete works are published by Penguin.
--This text refers to an alternate
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edition.
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More About the Author
John Steinbeck (1902-1968), winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, achieved popular success in 1935 when he published Tortilla Flat. He went on to write more than twenty-five novels, including The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
296 of 314 people found the following review helpful
Format:School & Library Binding
John Steinbeck wrote this classic gem in 1937. It's been a Broadway play and there have been several adaptations of it in movies and TV. I was generally familiar with the story but this was the first time I actually read the book. Wow! I was completely blown away! This is the story of a two lonely and alienated men who work as farm laborers, drifting from job to job in California. Lennie is gentle giant, physically strong but mentally retarded. George guides and protects Lennie but also depends on him for companionship. Together, they have a dream to someday buy a little farm where they can grow crops and raise rabbits and live happily ever after. This, of course, is not to be as the title suggests. "The best laid plans of mice and men" is a line in a poem by Robert Burns, which describes how a field mouse's world is destroyed by a plow.
Steinbeck's narrative voice is seemingly simple in his descriptions of nature of as well as the details of the bunkhouse. His characterizations of the people are magnificent. We meet the other workers, all loners, and appreciate the beauty of the unique friendship between Lennie and George. We meet Candy, the old man who is outliving his usefulness. We meet Crooks, the black stable hand, shunned by the men and therefore turning to books for companionship. We meet the cruel Curley who taunts Lennie into a fight. And we meet Curley's wife, another lonely soul who uses her femininity to get the wrong kind of attention.
There's tension in every word and I found myself holding my breath, knowing that something awful would happen, my eyes glued to the page, the world of Lennie and George deeply etched into my consciousness. I was pulled right into the story, wanting to shout warnings as I saw the inevitable consequences. The ending was incredibly sad, but yet satisfying. It couldn't have ended any other way. It's a small book, only 118 pages long. But it is a masterpiece and I will never forget it. I give it my highest recommendation.
60 of 66 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck remains properly on the reading lists of high school students because of the regional imagery through succinct dialogue. Unlike "Grapes of Wrath," Steinbeck brings us swiftly into each moment, never letting us linger too long before walking us to the next place.
The American Dream has many variations, but always, it is about independence and the pride of being one's own man. Lennie and George want this independence more than most men, but have less than most men to get there. In their case, it isn't a white picket fence, but a farm where they can raise rabbits.
Lennie is not a bright man. He desires to care for someone and to be loved, but is unable to think past his own fear. George tries to protect him, but he too, although smarter than Lennie, is managed by his insecurity and foolishness.
The story surrounds Lennie and George's efforts to get and retain work on ranch near Soledad, and more so, toward their American Dream. The big picture is always with them, but it is the day-by-day difficulties they have with being outsiders. Their intrinsic inability to be free is sheer tragedy, as they both fail again and again to make the right decision.
It's a lonely story about two men who hope more than they can think, who are destined by their misery never to enjoy true companionship and happiness.
Few books are as thematically pure as "Of Mice and Men," which follows Man's search for self and meaning carefully. It is harsh in language and image, and the abstract ideas might be too much for younger readers to comprehend, but any intelligent teen will gain from it where John Knowles' "A Separate Peace" and J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye" leave off.
I fully recommend "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck.
Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com
The American Dream has many variations, but always, it is about independence and the pride of being one's own man. Lennie and George want this independence more than most men, but have less than most men to get there. In their case, it isn't a white picket fence, but a farm where they can raise rabbits.
Lennie is not a bright man. He desires to care for someone and to be loved, but is unable to think past his own fear. George tries to protect him, but he too, although smarter than Lennie, is managed by his insecurity and foolishness.
The story surrounds Lennie and George's efforts to get and retain work on ranch near Soledad, and more so, toward their American Dream. The big picture is always with them, but it is the day-by-day difficulties they have with being outsiders. Their intrinsic inability to be free is sheer tragedy, as they both fail again and again to make the right decision.
It's a lonely story about two men who hope more than they can think, who are destined by their misery never to enjoy true companionship and happiness.
Few books are as thematically pure as "Of Mice and Men," which follows Man's search for self and meaning carefully. It is harsh in language and image, and the abstract ideas might be too much for younger readers to comprehend, but any intelligent teen will gain from it where John Knowles' "A Separate Peace" and J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye" leave off.
I fully recommend "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck.
Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Book Review How does the common man look at mentally disabled people? In reading Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men one could find out. Steinbeck wrote about two men traveling around California working on farms. The couple is a dynamic one. Lennie is a gigantic man that has the brain power of a small child. George is a small man that looks after Lennie and tries to protect him. "We kinda look after each other." Said George. "He ain't bright. Hell of a good worker, though. Hell of a nice fella, but he ain't bright. I've knew him for a long time(p.34)." This book does a great job showing how society doesn't understand the needs of mentally disabled people. I also believe that it shows that every man can have a role in society. This book is a must read. Almost everyone has come into contact with a mentally disabled person once in his or her life. Or, if not a mentally disabled person, a person that is just a little slow. One of the many great things about this book is that everyone can relate to it. The social significance is immense and I believe people enjoy reading meaningful books. Another thing I enjoyed about this book was George and Lennie's lingo. "I... ain't gonna say nothin'. jus' gonna stan' there(p.6)." Steinbeck was born and raised in California and many of his books take place there. Like Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck wrote other books about men that work on farms, such as Tortilla Flat and The Grapes of Wrath. George and Lennie find jobs on a farm in the Californian countryside. Lennie loves to pet things and that obsession always gets the couple into trouble. Lennie is a handful for George and is pain for everyone around the farm. A horrific crime is committed by Lennie. The men on the farm could not and did not want to deal with Lennie and his behaviors. "He ain't cuckoo, said George, he's just dumb as hell, but he ain't a crazy(p.39). Even thought Lennie's brain does not function at a high level he could still help others. There is a man on the farm named Crooks, Crooks is an african american that has a bad back. Crooks is mean and shields everyone away, but Lennie opens him up and brightens his day. "I did'n't care much, said Crooks. "Lennie's is a nice fella(p.82). Even thought Lennie is slow he still can befriend a person. People read to broaden here knowledge and understanding of the world. What this book taught me is that mentally disabled people have different needs than those of us that do not have an impaired brain. And that society needs to help them find a role in the community and in society because every man or woman has a purpose. If you want a great book to read Of Mice and Men should be at the top of your list.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Captivating
I have chosen this rating because it might have been a short story but, it had me captivated. I love the way John Steinbeck writes. Read more
Published 10 hours ago by Bart Chamberlain
5.0 out of 5 stars
Of Mice and Men
Retained my interest throughout the book. Well written, you can get a good idea of what the times were like.
Published 5 days ago by Jeni Wren
3.0 out of 5 stars
A disappointment from an author so widely acclaimed as Steinbeck and...
Maybe the story reflected a slice of life in hard times and maybe someone could be as stupid as pictured and maybe the other half dozen implausible characters and incidents might... Read more
Published 10 days ago by CT
4.0 out of 5 stars
Overpriced
I realize that this is a classic but it is way too short for 10.00. Of course I loved the story. Who doesnt love a story about a man who takes care of a mentally retarded friend? Read more
Published 10 days ago by Mom23Men
3.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent characterization
Great characterization. The reader really gets into the plight of Lennie and George. The ending leaves for an exciting debate.
Published 12 days ago by Greg Ameringer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sad
The book was very sad but I would read the book again.otherwise I loved the book a lot .it is still a sad book
Published 14 days ago by Unknown
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mice and Men
Used to help student with LD to be able to read and comprehend. Great use, and it held her attention.
Published 14 days ago by H. Kaduson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great. I'll read it again.
This was much better a read than The Great Gatsby. I wonder why that was called the "perfect American novel."
Published 15 days ago by John B. Sinkhorn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful book.
This book was truly amazing and touching. You will fall in love with Lennie and George. They have a nice friendship. Read more
Published 17 days ago by Claire
4.0 out of 5 stars
A short story
I thought the book was very good, but it is not worth $9.99, It was a short story, not a book.
Published 22 days ago by Newell Webster
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