Thu, 29 Jan 2004

Jan 29, 2004, 11:12 [home/books/grapes_of_wrath]
Finally Finished

Rating: 3.5 Stars

I finished Grapes of Wrath about three days ago… what a strange book.

I’ve heard so much about this work that I thought there was something really amazing here. I’d heard it was Steinbeck’s best.

My final opinion after finishing it is that it’s not— not by far. East of Eden is way better, as is The Pastures of Heaven. This is more like his worst.

It’s not that he doesn’t have lots to say… he makes important comments about who we are as a human race, the reality of the bottom line, how insane we are to waste excess food while millions starve. The very essence of captilism is under critique, and he does this very well.

But he doesn’t go anywhere with it! I prefer stories that take us from start to finish. This one ends with the main characters in the same predicament they were at the start. In fact, if anything, they’re worse off.

This isn’t a pleasure read, this is more of a duty read. We should know what happened in the U.S. during this time period, and we should think about our personal perspectives wth regard to the poor.

So I recommend this book with slight warning. You’ll probably not enjoy it, but you won’t regret reading it either. If you can handle the lack of resolution, maybe you’ll really like it!

~Jason

[this date] [0 comments]
[technorati] [permalink] [feed]

Thu, 15 Jan 2004

Jan 15, 2004, 12:09 [home/books/grapes_of_wrath]
Grapes of Wrath IS Postmodern

Grapes of Wrath is particularly interesting in light of my quest to understand modernistic thinking. (My idea is that I’ll better recognize post-modernism when I’ve truly defined modernism).

It’s SO not like these dusty old books I’ve been reading. They are basically about man dominating his world. But then again, it is like that. **grin**

It’s about the machine of modern efficiency forsaking the caring, human dimension; about a people passed over by mechanization and struggling to survive in that reality; about the soulessness of the bottom line, the pitiful sacrifices “business men” must make to earn a buck.

So it’s in stark contrast to all these other novels, which say, “machines are AMAZING.” It’s post modern, I guess! Neat.

~Jason


[this date] [1 comment]
[technorati] [permalink] [feed]

Sat, 10 Jan 2004

Jan 10, 2004, 21:53 [home/books/grapes_of_wrath]
This is living up to it’s Reputation!

Wow. I’m really enjoying this book! It reminds me of “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou,” the movie modernisation of the book, Ulysses— set in the American South.

It’s definitely a page turner, and the characters are unlikely sources of wisdom! This is worth reading— if you haven’t already.

More Later,

~Jason

[this date] [0 comments]
[technorati] [permalink] [feed]

Wed, 07 Jan 2004

Jan 07, 2004, 12:28 [home/books/grapes_of_wrath]
Grapes of Wrath

I finally have started to read Steinbeck’s master piece, The Grapes of Wrath. After Pastures of Heaven, East of Eden, Of Mice & Men, The Pearl, and The Pony, I’ve got pretty high expectations. I’ve just completed chapter one, and so far I’m NOT disappointed! I love this writer! ~Jason


[this date] [0 comments]
[technorati] [permalink] [feed]