Reviews with content warning for Ableism - Of Mice and Men

It goes without saying that this book is an absolute classic. Scholars and ninth graders can agree.

This latest read through was maybe my fifth or sixth time enjoying this short story. Every time I read it, I catch some new detail that I missed the time before.

George and Lenny’s love for each other is palpable. It is a timeless story and message, yet paradoxically, might only be able to exist in its time. Much like all of Steinbeck’s work, it is a brilliant and human critique of the cruelty of capitalism. How it “breaks a man’s back” only to “shoot them in the back of the damn head” so to speak…

I am obsessed with the age old question, which might never have an answer. Is “Curly’s wife” named such because Steinbeck was a misogynist, who didn’t care to give her an actual name -or- is that a purposeful statement, pointing to the inherent misogyny of the time and setting and circumstance? If I had to bet, I’d say a little column A, little column B.

(As a side note: damn! Y’all can’t leave Crooks alone?)

Readers beware that this book uses the N word about 56,000 times in a total of 3 pages. (I’m not an idiot. I do understand the unfortunate contextual use within the setting and historical precedent. Still though, as a modern reader, it is jarring to say the least.)

Content Warnings

tita_loves_literature's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

snackattackisback69's review against another edition

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dark sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Depressing as hell

Content Warnings

kathshiroma's review against another edition

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Content Warnings

mad_henshall's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

*read for school*

Content Warnings

strrygo's review

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emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

i don't know..it's so short but feels so effective because of it. looking at it more as a point where conversations start instead of an encompassing representation of identity or as having a fixed moral standpoint makes this so interesting to me.

the book ending immediately after the 'mercy killing' without any real discussion occurring about the act other than the characters' immediate responses (acceptance, indifference, guilt, grief),

the way death and morality r addressed while also somehow being cast aside, the degrees of isolation every character seems to suffer from (for varying reasons)there is so so much here, almost want more but i don't think i would like this nearly as much if i actually got it.
also trying Not to criticize it from my place in time but some of the characterization n language was still, inevitably, uncomfortable to read, more so here because of how much it has to do w the story's development!
in a surprise turn of events literally no one saw it coming i DID cry

Content Warnings

maggiefae's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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