davidseverns's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I great, digestible, quintessential Steinbeck. I love the little world he builds.
veganecurrywurst's review against another edition
Had to return it to the library, but maybe I'll pick it up some time again
literatetexan's review
5.0
A beautifully written ensemble piece. I read this once, when I was much younger, and like many other novels, it's only improved over the years.
kaitoro_walker13's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Wonderful
mzloading___'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
badoit90's review against another edition
4.0
4 Stars // John Steinbeck is the author I read the most books of, which in turn makes him my favourite author I guess. He grew up in the Salinas Valley in California, in the early 20th Century. The Salinas Valley is an area encapsulated by mountain ranges that was known for its rich farmland and fishing industries back in the 1930s and 40s. So his upbringing heavily influenced and inspired the themes and people he wrote about in his novels. Cannery Row for example is a real town near Monterey in California that was known for its massive sardine canning factories, a place that John Steinbeck thought made for a great background for a book.
This novel tells the story of this unique set of characters living in this coastal town. It loosely follows a main plot, but is traversed by smaller short stories that shine a spotlight on single characters of this quirky community, unconnected to the main plot. Steinbeck is amazing at painting these individual characters, letting us as the reader observe them as if we would see a play happening in front of our eyes. I give it 4 stars, as it’s a funny and charming novel about a band of misfits wearing their hearts in the right place, just trying to do the right thing, told in a unique way that makes this town come alive.
This novel tells the story of this unique set of characters living in this coastal town. It loosely follows a main plot, but is traversed by smaller short stories that shine a spotlight on single characters of this quirky community, unconnected to the main plot. Steinbeck is amazing at painting these individual characters, letting us as the reader observe them as if we would see a play happening in front of our eyes. I give it 4 stars, as it’s a funny and charming novel about a band of misfits wearing their hearts in the right place, just trying to do the right thing, told in a unique way that makes this town come alive.
atomicxmouse's review
emotional
reflective
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? No
5.0
commykaze's review against another edition
funny
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
rsawhn's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0