A controversial tale of friendship and tragedy during the Great Depression They are an unlikely pair: George is "small and quick and dark of face"; Lennie, a man of tremendous size, has the mind of a young child. Yet they have formed a "family," clinging together in the face of loneliness and alienation. Laborers in California's dusty vegetable fields, they hustle work when they can, living a hand-to-mouth existence. For George and Lennie have a plan: to own an acre of land and a shack they can call their own. When ...
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A controversial tale of friendship and tragedy during the Great Depression They are an unlikely pair: George is "small and quick and dark of face"; Lennie, a man of tremendous size, has the mind of a young child. Yet they have formed a "family," clinging together in the face of loneliness and alienation. Laborers in California's dusty vegetable fields, they hustle work when they can, living a hand-to-mouth existence. For George and Lennie have a plan: to own an acre of land and a shack they can call their own. When they land jobs on a ranch in the Salinas Valley, the fulfillment of their dream seems to be within their grasp. But even George cannot guard Lennie from the provocations of a flirtatious woman, nor predict the consequences of Lennie's unswerving obedience to the things George taught him. "A thriller, a gripping tale . . . that you will not set down until it is finished. Steinbeck has touched the quick." -- The New York Times
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Can't go wrong with Steinbeck. Great story. Strong characters. Amazing ending.
Barbara H
May 31, 2012
John Steinbeck's Great Stories
Mr. Steinbeck was a great story teller. It was almost as if you were there. Since I grew up in the Salinas Valley it was almost personal. Great interaction between the characters.
lesliejean
Nov 18, 2011
Ist Steinbeck I have read
I was interested in the title- a well known quote from Robert Burns "the best- laid plans o' mice an' men gang aft agley". The style of the book is also from another era and interesting from a historical viewpoint.I can understand why it has been a studied text for English Literature. Descriptions are first class.
Have now moved on to another book by this author "Cannery Row".
Now in my retirement years I am discovering a whole new world from my armchair.
torinicole2009
Nov 19, 2008
Nice
This book was assigned for me my freshman year in high school and I didn't think I would even like it, but I was terribly wrong. I really enjoyed the adventure of these two men and I grew very fond of Lenny. It was surprising and sad all at the same time. Very great book.
HesterPrine08
Oct 23, 2008
Still relatable
John Steinbeck turned the search for the American dream and turned it into a nightmare. George and Lenny are two drifting farm hands looking to find work to earn enough money to buy a small farm of their own. Its the only dream they share to find a place to call home. The problem is Lenny is big ,strong and slow. He doesn't know his own strength or realize there will be consequences for his actions. George can keep him safe for only so long. What George hoped to be their last job for someone else turns out to be their last job ever. Written in language of the common man of the time, Steinbeck does an excellent of capturing George's desperation and Lenny's fear. A moving story that has been always one of my favorites.
