m1nature's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
kaylamorin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jtferdon's review against another edition
4.0
This book is pure Steinbeck, set in Monterrey and character driven. There is very little plot but thoroughly enjoyable.
katebol's review against another edition
4.0
I didn’t think I could like this book any better, then there was an entire chapter about a gopher.
moseslh's review against another edition
5.0
Cannery Row was a lot of fun to read. Of the five Steinbeck novels I've read, it's the only one I would describe as "cute." It's not as heavy (emotionally or physically—it's quite short) as his other works, and it's the type of story that makes you smile even when the characters mess things up for themselves.
Rather than following one protagonist, the novel follows a working class neighborhood (Cannery Row) in Monterrey, with chapters focusing on a number of the personalities who reside there. Cannery Row immerses you in the neighborhood, and by the book's end you feel almost like you live there yourself.
Overall, I would categorize Cannery Row as the literary equivalent of comfort food, albeit on the more filling and nutritious end of the comfort food spectrum. While it didn't feel life-changing for me like [book:The Grapes of Wrath|18114322] or [book:East of Eden|4406], I really enjoyed it and would love to read it again at some point.
Rather than following one protagonist, the novel follows a working class neighborhood (Cannery Row) in Monterrey, with chapters focusing on a number of the personalities who reside there. Cannery Row immerses you in the neighborhood, and by the book's end you feel almost like you live there yourself.
Overall, I would categorize Cannery Row as the literary equivalent of comfort food, albeit on the more filling and nutritious end of the comfort food spectrum. While it didn't feel life-changing for me like [book:The Grapes of Wrath|18114322] or [book:East of Eden|4406], I really enjoyed it and would love to read it again at some point.
wayneg's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Wonderful collection of vignettes, sometimes laugh out loud comic scenes, such as the frog hunt…then utter sadness, a young girls body in the shallows…a celebration of simplicity, of an age long lost where a community of what “polite” society would call misfits, low life’s and losers finds solace and joy with each other
keg_jpeg's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ssponagle's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
leslie_r_k's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
maitthegreat's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
the book should (of course) have been called OF FROGS AND MEN.
i think that if/when i eventually re-read this, it will jump up to 4 stars. i always have a hard time understanding steinbeck at first, so this read felt like getting a general grasp of the plot so that later i can properly enjoy the characters and the writing.
doc deserves the world. so does frankie. honestly these were probably the most lovable steinbeck characters i’ve read thus far.
the book should (of course) have been called OF FROGS AND MEN.
i think that if/when i eventually re-read this, it will jump up to 4 stars. i always have a hard time understanding steinbeck at first, so this read felt like getting a general grasp of the plot so that later i can properly enjoy the characters and the writing.
doc deserves the world. so does frankie. honestly these were probably the most lovable steinbeck characters i’ve read thus far.