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avshenoi's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
fast-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
I need to reread but it’s a good book. Loved chapter 4, I wrote a poem on the black guy’s incarceration (it’s been two years, I don’t remember names). Ending goes crazy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Murder, and Sexual harassment
magimiel's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, and Murder
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
tibbarasden's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
This is one that has stuck with me since high school, and I am glad I gave it a reread. It is definitely inpactful and heartbreaking. There are language and situations that are definitely not okay by today's standards, but given the time period, it is understandable. The mental disability representation in Lennie is well done over all, though the parallel to the dog earlier in the story is not the best. I also didn't appreciate how Curly's wife was portrayed. I think the same situation could have been done without her being portrayed as she was. Likewise, her character could have even been kept the same with a little more depth added to make it less misogynistic. Still, I found myself emotionally involved in the story and found the writing easy to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Mental illness, and Racism
froon's review against another edition
1.5
this book really didn’t resonate with me. mostly, i was just pouting because i knew what the ending was or cringing because of the excessive racial slurs and misogyny. yes! i understand! this was written in the 1930s! that’s how life was! but that does not oblige me to enjoy reading a book about it. the discussion of this book on goodreads seems tainted by nostalgia and classics snobs who don’t seem to have the ability or nuance to understand that just because something is justified/explainable doesn’t mean it becomes immune from criticism or just plain dislike.
i picked this up because i was interested in the prolific classic. in the end, i found that i only really enjoyed the parts with lenny and george by themselves (which, unfortunately ends up being just the very beginning and end of the book). additionally, i kept waiting for some sort of reveal or revelation. something about lenny and george’s past or something about when crook said “i wish there was someone there to tell me if what i saw was real or if i was dreaming.” or something with slim. just anything. unfortunately, there was no payoff.
i don’t agree with people who think it’s ridiculous that this book is taught in schools because i think there’s a lot of academic discussion that can be found here. however, as a book i’m reading for pleasure, i found the experience a bit torturous.
i picked this up because i was interested in the prolific classic. in the end, i found that i only really enjoyed the parts with lenny and george by themselves (which, unfortunately ends up being just the very beginning and end of the book). additionally, i kept waiting for some sort of reveal or revelation. something about lenny and george’s past or something about when crook said “i wish there was someone there to tell me if what i saw was real or if i was dreaming.” or something with slim. just anything. unfortunately, there was no payoff.
i don’t agree with people who think it’s ridiculous that this book is taught in schools because i think there’s a lot of academic discussion that can be found here. however, as a book i’m reading for pleasure, i found the experience a bit torturous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, and Murder
brutishleek49_'s review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
lottiebrooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I will never give a classic less than 5 stars because who tf am I to disagree :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Racial slurs
Moderate: Racism and Violence
goemonxiii's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I love John Steinbeck, but this is one of his weaker works in my opinion. It was an interesting and new perspective on Californian history, and it did bring up three essential points of discussion (those being how disabled people have been treated historically, and how Black and poor people have been discriminated against in early Californian history), but it's far from my favorite novel or even Steinbeck novel. It's a quick read, and I do like Steinbeck's perspective on many topics, but aside from Lenny and the discussion on anti-Black, anti-poor, and anti-disabled sentiments within society, I didn't really care for the other characters or environment. Also I feel it beats you over the head with its foreshadowing so heavily to the point where the "twist" becomes obvious. I wouldn't say that you should skip this title as, once again, it is a really quick read (I finished it in about 2 hours), but please don't characterize Steinbeck on the basis of this book (characterize him by the opinions in this book, not the writing style).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, Slavery, and Alcohol
bella613's review against another edition
challenging
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is my first by Steinbeck. I can see why he is renowned. I knew nothing about it going into the book but I found the beginning similar in feel to flowers for algernon (haven't actually read that one but my high school performed the play when I was a teen)
I think it was best to go into it without any spoilers so I'm not going to put anything here. But I did cry after I finished it.
Steinbeck is an incredible and compelling writer.
I will note that I was very annoyed with the loud music played over the narration for the first 90sec of the audiobook. I couldn't really understand any of the first two minutes of listening. I also just wasn't a huge fan of the narrator. So I'm rating the book, not the audio itself, and would probably recommend finding a different audio recording or reading physical copy.
I think it was best to go into it without any spoilers so I'm not going to put anything here. But I did cry after I finished it.
Steinbeck is an incredible and compelling writer.
I will note that I was very annoyed with the loud music played over the narration for the first 90sec of the audiobook. I couldn't really understand any of the first two minutes of listening. I also just wasn't a huge fan of the narrator. So I'm rating the book, not the audio itself, and would probably recommend finding a different audio recording or reading physical copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Murder
artemisg's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Death, and Racism
lucy_fabulous's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Murder