moseslh's review against another edition
4.0
In Dubious Battle tells the tale of two Communist Party organizers who facilitate and lead a strike of migrant farmworkers against the local apple orchards that cut wages. It feels much more blunt/overt than [b:The Grapes of Wrath|18114322|The Grapes of Wrath|John Steinbeck|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1375670575s/18114322.jpg|2931549], which itself is hardly subtle, and perhaps for that reason its message was less powerful, but it was nonetheless quite thought-provoking and a worthwhile read.
The very premise of this book, with Communist agitators as its protagonists, was a dangerous one for Steinbeck to choose even in the 1930s, and I doubt he would have been able to publish this book a decade later. His portrayal of Communists is a fascinating and more nuanced than I would have expected. Steinbeck seems to have some sympathy for their cause, particularly in his opposition to the tyranny of the large landowners, but I came away from reading this with decidedly mixed feelings about the Party. The Party in the novel is entirely focused on the big picture and, as a result, its tactics are manipulative and its members rather callous, treating the workers as pawns in a larger struggle, although of course the same is true (to a more vicious extent) of the landowners as well. As a result, I felt rather uncomfortable with the main protagonists with the exception of the doctor, who shared both my leftist bent and my misgivings with the Party tactics during the strike.
Like all of Steinbeck's works, this is a rough book. When looked at side by side with Grapes, it's tremendously disappointing, lacking much of its emotional depth and complexity, but that's a pretty high standard. Looked at independently, In Dubious Battle is still a very good novel, and I enjoyed reading it.
The very premise of this book, with Communist agitators as its protagonists, was a dangerous one for Steinbeck to choose even in the 1930s, and I doubt he would have been able to publish this book a decade later. His portrayal of Communists is a fascinating and more nuanced than I would have expected. Steinbeck seems to have some sympathy for their cause, particularly in his opposition to the tyranny of the large landowners, but I came away from reading this with decidedly mixed feelings about the Party. The Party in the novel is entirely focused on the big picture and, as a result, its tactics are manipulative and its members rather callous, treating the workers as pawns in a larger struggle, although of course the same is true (to a more vicious extent) of the landowners as well. As a result, I felt rather uncomfortable with the main protagonists with the exception of the doctor, who shared both my leftist bent and my misgivings with the Party tactics during the strike.
Like all of Steinbeck's works, this is a rough book. When looked at side by side with Grapes, it's tremendously disappointing, lacking much of its emotional depth and complexity, but that's a pretty high standard. Looked at independently, In Dubious Battle is still a very good novel, and I enjoyed reading it.
walkindude's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
liloulitdeslivres's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
krystofsubr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rainbow1218's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jerihurd's review against another edition
3.0
It was OK. Certainly no Grapes of Wrath, and definitely not an East of Eden, but a worthy (and quick) read. Interesting mostly as a forerunner to how he would develop the same themes later and better.
sabi_13's review against another edition
4.0
Málokto vie, že ľud Spojených štátov (rovnako aj mnohých ďalších krajín) veľmi kladne najmä v prvej tretine 20. storočia vnímal myšlienky komunizmu. Zárodky tejto ideológie sa ľuďom zdali dobrým riešením problému, aký systém v spoločnosti nastoliť. Táto problematika sa premietla aj do Steinbeckovho románu V neistej bitke z roku 1936.
Zoznamujeme sa v ňom so zberačmi jabĺk, ktorí vstúpia do štrajku, aby si vybojovali lepšie pracovné podmienky a dôstojnejšie platy, čo je v dnešnej dobe vlastne podobne pálčivá téma ako vtedy.
Román opisuje, aké pravdivé je tvrdenie: ,,V jednote je sila." Zároveň však približuje, aké ťažké je bojovať proti zbraniam autorít holými rukami a aké náročné je vydobyť si revolúciu. Niekedy však stačí nezlomný charakter a tých bolo V neistej bitke neúrekom.
Musím však povedať, že ma postavy diela trochu iritovali, hoci keď sa nad tým poriadne zamyslím, vlastne asi len robili, čo mohli. Iritácia v kombinácii s bojom za ideály idú zrejme ruka v ruke bez ohľadu na to, či sa na vec pozeráme zvonka alebo zvnútra.
Zoznamujeme sa v ňom so zberačmi jabĺk, ktorí vstúpia do štrajku, aby si vybojovali lepšie pracovné podmienky a dôstojnejšie platy, čo je v dnešnej dobe vlastne podobne pálčivá téma ako vtedy.
Román opisuje, aké pravdivé je tvrdenie: ,,V jednote je sila." Zároveň však približuje, aké ťažké je bojovať proti zbraniam autorít holými rukami a aké náročné je vydobyť si revolúciu. Niekedy však stačí nezlomný charakter a tých bolo V neistej bitke neúrekom.
Musím však povedať, že ma postavy diela trochu iritovali, hoci keď sa nad tým poriadne zamyslím, vlastne asi len robili, čo mohli. Iritácia v kombinácii s bojom za ideály idú zrejme ruka v ruke bez ohľadu na to, či sa na vec pozeráme zvonka alebo zvnútra.
euangepp's review against another edition
4.0
One of Steinbeck’s strengths is how his dialogue highlights the idiosyncrasies of all his characters, and this book allows this to shine. In many ways this feels like Steinbeck at his most stripped back - a tale of migrant workers entirely focused on their lives over a few days. But this novel has an incredible energy which brings the setting to life. The narrative ebbs and flows with several climaxes throughout. A stark and realistic portrait of migrant worker life, laced with the energy of strikes and communism, with the ending hinting at the cyclical nature and arguable futility of the labour movement.
Jim joins communist party following in his dads footsteps and is then sent to some guys who are also in charge of starting strikes. Him and Mac go to Torgas Valley because they’re cutting wages for labourers. They go to Al and get pointed towards the camp. Start chatting to guys and help a woman give birth.
Work on orchard next day and start chatting to see how the guys feel. Dan is an old top faller who was about when the Wobblies were working (labour union). That nigjt they go to a man on another farm.
We see there is an air of hesitancy to “organising” but it must be done.
Next day they once again chat to more people. A man comes up and reveal that some people know Jim and Mac are “reds”.
Dan falls out of a tree. People get mad at how bad the ladders are. Mac sees that this will help incite them to strike. London becomes chairman. Mac and Jim get permission for everyone to camp on Als dads orchard. More threats arrive.
Jim joins communist party following in his dads footsteps and is then sent to some guys who are also in charge of starting strikes. Him and Mac go to Torgas Valley because they’re cutting wages for labourers. They go to Al and get pointed towards the camp. Start chatting to guys and help a woman give birth.
Work on orchard next day and start chatting to see how the guys feel. Dan is an old top faller who was about when the Wobblies were working (labour union). That nigjt they go to a man on another farm.
We see there is an air of hesitancy to “organising” but it must be done.
Next day they once again chat to more people. A man comes up and reveal that some people know Jim and Mac are “reds”.
Dan falls out of a tree. People get mad at how bad the ladders are. Mac sees that this will help incite them to strike. London becomes chairman. Mac and Jim get permission for everyone to camp on Als dads orchard. More threats arrive.