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Book Review – Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Rating

4 stars – a tale of friendship and tragedy

Description

The plot centers on George Milton and Lennie Small, itinerant ranch hands who dream of one day owning a small farm. George acts as a father figure to Lennie, who is large and simpleminded, calming him and helping to rein in his immense physical strength.

Why did you choose to read this book?

Honestly? Today is the last day of the July Book Blowout and this was the shortest book I could find on the bookcase – I read it from cover to cover in about an hour and a half!

The Book Review

I last read this book for an English class at school and I enjoyed revisiting it today. It is a heartbreaking tale of two ranch hands, George and Lennie, who have a pipe dream to own their own ranch one day, where they can make their own decisions and live safely on their own.

But kind, sweet Lennie does not know his own strength and try as he might in the end even George can’t save him.

In this classic novella Steinbeck weaves a tale with strong characters and a storyline that has you holding your breath and hoping that it will all end so differently.

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More reader reviews

Of Mice and Men is a classic that should be read

Review Date: August 21, 2010

Reviewer: Karen Girdner, Norman, OK

As an English teacher I believe this is a novel that we should all read because of its iconic status in American literature. Many allusions are made to Lenny Smalls in film and literature which would go totally misunderstood if one had not read the novel. It is a quick and easy read.

A Poignant Classic

Review Date: August 19, 2010

Reviewer: Bojan Tunguz, Greencastle, IN USA

George and Lennie are two itinerant farm workers moving from one California farm to another. The two of them move together in order to avoid the loneliness and misery that usually accompanies nomads. Lennie is an incredibly strong and hard worker who has a mind of a child. Unfortunately for him, his strength and child-like instincts oftentimes get him in trouble. George has known Lennie since he was just a kid, and is the brains behind this unlikely duo. George dreams of a bigger life for the two of them, a life where they would settle on a small farm of their own. The questions remain, however, of how will they acquire enough money to purchase such a place and if they will be able to do so without getting into any really big trouble on account of Lennie's unpredictable behavior.

This is perhaps the most poignant and well developed of Steinbeck's short novels. The characters are some of the most memorable ones in all of the twentieth century literature, and are masterfully developed and vivid. The narrative is as compact and tight as they come. Steinbeck is nothing short of a pure genius when it comes to constructing stories: each element, each sentence has its place and serves the overall purpose. This novella is a textbook example of what good storytelling is all about and will be enjoyed by both Steinbeck's fans as well as those who are new to his writings.

Remembered forever

Review Date: July 22, 2010

Reviewer: Book Bug, Johannesburg, gauteng, ZA

When I was about 11, I took this book off my parent's bookshelf, because I thought I would liked the mice in the story. I had never heard of John Steinbeck - I am not native English speaking and don't live in America. Reading it captivated me and changed the way I viewed books forever, in a way no other book ever had, and could do since. The writing is so elegant, so simple, so even and uncomplicated that at first it deceives one into believing the story was simply about two brothers and a girl. And it was - simple enough at that age for me to grasp and be moved by it. As a child, this book turned me into a reader of adult books. It was a turning point in the reading choices I made since, and my expectations of literature up to this day. When I read the book again as an adult, it had lost none of the simplicity but gripped me even more deeply, since I could fully understand the tragedy and violence. This book is absolutely essential reading, and I will give it to my children and every child I know. I am eternally grateful that it was written and that I stumbled upon it.

Not for the light hearted

Review Date: July 19, 2010

Reviewer: NYM,

A beautiful story written by a master, but don't be mistaken that it's all butterflies and rainbows. There are plenty of vulgar phrases and disturbing themes.

Of Men and Mice

Review Date: July 12, 2010

Reviewer: Iris Netters,

Thank you for an easy transaction. The book is in great condition - as described.

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Comments & Reader Reviews

4 Responses to “Book Review – Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck”

Cheech says:

December 18, 2008 at 3:39 pm

I just got done reading this book in my Journalistic Writing class and I must say I really enjoyed this book. The whole plot of the story was amazing and every character seemed to have its own personality wanting to shine through and speak its mind. When you read this book it just leaves you wanting more…you just want to keep reading it. That is something I always look in a book for…that it so good I can’t put it down and “of Mice and Men” accomplished that.

Cheech´s last blog post..Feelings Continued…

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T'Asia says:

October 24, 2008 at 11:31 pm

I read this book over the summer for summer work. At first, I did not want to continue, but after about the third chapter, I couldn’t stop. Steinbeck did a good job writing this book and packing it with many themes and motifs. Making a long story short, read the book, you WILL enjoy it!

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Heather says:

August 3, 2008 at 7:35 am

I love this book. I had the opportunity to sub in an english class last year and I had a know it all teenager tell me that there is no purpose to reading this book. I quickly taught her the importance of this book.

So many of our classics are being forgotten.

Heathers last blog post..July Book Blowout Results

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Trish says:

August 2, 2008 at 3:47 pm

And it fits well with the classics challenge! I can’t remember if this was on your original list or not. Anyway, I’ve heard really great things about this book and his others, but for some reason I’m intimidated by Steinbeck. I think maybe because East of Eden is so gigantic (although I know his others are much shorter). Glad you liked it–I’ll definitely have to keep my eye for this one.

Trishs last blog post..The Picture of Dorian Gray – Oscar Wilde

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