The Grapes of Wrath

by John Steinbeck 

Review of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

       The Grapes of Wrath is an epic book with an equally epic title.  It depicts a sad period of time in America in a detailed and thought-provoking style.  Steinbeck masterfully sets the downtrodden mood of the story and all of the characters are interesting and richly drawn.  It is not a book of action and the plot moves slowly, but the substance of the novel is top rate and the empathy the reader feels for the Joad family is unavoidable.  I read this book when I was young and had a difficult time with it, but on another try a few years ago, I was engrossed by it.  I see that a few other people had a problem with the ending, but in my view the ending, especially the last paragraph is one of the most memorable in literature.  The overall story I will always remember, but as far as details of the novel, the most vivid for me is the provocative image of the grown, starving-to-death man being nursed by the young  woman.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was reviewed by richard barrow

       Maybe this is book is a classic work of literature that exposes undeniable truths about capitalism and American life. Maybe it is an "epic masterpiece" that deserves a ton of awards. That doesn't change the fact that this book is SO INCREDIBLY MIND-NUMBINGLY STUPIDLY BORING!!!!!! i know theres going to be a ton of people who will say that I didn't really get the book or something, and I admit, I didn't. Because I couldn't keep myself interested enough to actually read it. i had to renew it 3 times from the library because it was killing me to read more than one boring page at a time.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was reviewed by Grapes of Wrath Review

       Classic literature! What an amazing novel! I've read it a few times, and it just keeps getting better. The characters jump off the page, and the plot is so real.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was reviewed by lincoln lou

       Mind Numbing. Seriously. I can see how this was possibly epic for it's time, but I just did not enjoy it. Usually, I get a book from the library, read it in less than four days, and return it. I had to check out Grapes of Wrath four times to get through the whole thing without wanting to blow my head off. I realize that is dramatic, but it's true.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was reviewed by Sophie

       A popular novel that did it a huge cultural impact back in the days. Many years later it still delivers that bite that got it starting its controversy; it talks for the blue-collar men who looks fearfully up at the leaders of its county/country and sees no acceptance or understanding. The novel has a captivating narrative, and the short chapters which eyes detailed observations of Americana is superb. Recommended.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was reviewed by Einar

       How can you hate Grapes of Wrath? GoW was such a great book on the Dust Bowl and views on capitalism. Don't diss this book. I loved it. If you think its boring, you don't know what reading really is in this world.

       Random, I recommend "South" by Ernest Shackleton.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was reviewed by Raye

       After spending two months reading this book, I was quite dissapointed at the ending; nevertheless, it has left me with a great impression. Although many stated circumstances in the novel does not exist currently, I can still see the remnants in the harsh reality. This novel opens up one's mind and allows the reader to keep thinking into it. There are times where it lingers over some very boring details, but the whole style of the book is amazing as it switches between the family's story and the general story. While I read this novel, I have come to admire some characters as well as despise others, but it has struck me entirely of how human the characters are. They are flawed like each one of us are; they are cruel like each one of us are, but they are strong and gracious like some of us are

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was reviewed by Raye

       I just finished this book and I found it to be very thought-provoking. It goes to great lengths to paint a compelling picture of the struggles and injustices that the poor and indigent Joad family endured while simply chasing a small part of the American dream.  Steinbeck is masterful at character development and his story-telling ability is second to none.  Steinbeck in a word is 'ingenius.'
My only complaint is that the ending left a great deal to be desired.  There is no closure.  The reader doesn't know if the Joads, especially Tom, survive the struggle or not.  The book just kind of ends abruptly, like Steinbeck just wanted to finish it because of some impending deadline or something.  I felt cheated.  Nonetheless, it is still a great novel!

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was reviewed by SteelDragon

       GAWSHHH!!! this book is sooo boring maybe its just me but its WAAYYY too "deep" for me to understand.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was reviewed by Emilyy

       During the Depression and the Kansas Dust Bowl, a family of farmers loses everything, and so then pack up their meager belongings and  mutli-generational relatives into a broken pick up and head for California.  The trip is long and hard with barely enough food and fuel and a few deaths of the family members along the way.  Upon arriving in California the hoped for jobs picking fruits in orchards does not hold out as promised.  This story was written by Steinbeck after he visited the orchards of California and saw how the workers were exploited.  It is a commentary on social conditions of the time, of greedy ruthless land owners, and of a family who manages to hold onto their humanity in a time when there isn't any given to them,  the desperately poor of that era.   Steinbeck's writing puts you there, you feel the way the characters must.  At times Steinbeck was branded a "communist" for his criticism of capitalists..

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was reviewed by cool librarian

       Set during the Dust Bowl, The Grapes of Wrath tells the sad and desperate story of the Joad family as they lose their farm in Oklahoma and pack up all their belongings in search of a better life in California.  Life is no better once they get there.

       A heartbreaking story of an American family that doesn't heven have enough money to buy food, the Grapes of Wrath is still a story of the strength of the human spirit.  A deeply moving story and a must read.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was reviewed by JP

       ARE YOU KIDDING ME? This book sucked eggs. I couldn't read it without falling asleep. Steinbeck tries so hard to make his books all symbolic and religious. They're so boring! How could anyone like it? And, BTW, we get that Jim Casy=Jesus Christ. Stop rubbing it in our faces.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was reviewed by English II Honors student

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