millysleep's review against another edition
4.0
Curious novella, play hybrid. Oddly it is the dialogue that doesn’t satisfy or quite work. 4 stars because I like the idea and the shifting scenery.
euangepp's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
melismatic's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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
4.0
fatjakeypoo's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I don't really know what to make of this. A short read, so it's not like my life is worse for having read it, but it didn't seem to say much of anything in that time.
halfcentreader's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this play in story form. I especially admired the way Steinbeck staged each act in a different locale to really drive home the Everyman theme.
He really had a way with words.
He really had a way with words.
qgg's review against another edition
5.0
This was always one of my favorite Steinbeck books. The way the characters change settings but the story continues where it left off is weird, perhaps unsubtle, but it tugs at my heart.
bundy23's review against another edition
3.0
Not the best Steinbeck and the scene changes are annoying but the characters are unmistakably Steinbeckian and the story is nice enough but this is probably only for completists.
If nothing else, I can now say I've read a "play-novelette."
If nothing else, I can now say I've read a "play-novelette."
shahrun's review against another edition
3.0
This book confused me somewhat. The story follows the same 4 people and moves forward in a continuous (albeit repetitive) way that makes for an uninteresting read. Except for one thing - in each of the scenes that characters are living different lives! Why on earth he did that I don't know! Maybe he thought it would add interest to a simple story. Also the ending isn't totally clear (like who lived and who dies?). The only thing clear about the ending was Joe Saul had finally found peace.