ellaura's review
3.5
convinced that steinbeck could make a stand-alone one pager emotionally scarring. this was really good for what it was, but i do prefer his longer, more monumental works.
christinne13's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-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? Yes
3.75
I read this book in czech.
I really felt the tense energy building up to the ending. I think the characters were written really well. I liked George's and Lennie's friendship. I felt sad when Carlson killed Candy's dog. And I really felt it when Lennie was saying that he really wants to leave, I could really picture that's how I would feel in that place. I felt bad for Curleys wife, everyone was really mean to her and I don't think she deserved it.
I did not really like the detailed descriptions of the surroundings at the start of each chapter, but I get that some people appreciate it. I did notice, that there are basically no female character and the few that we get are potrayed negatively (Curleys wife, Susy).
Characters:
George Milton
Lennie Small
Curley's Wife
Curley
Slim
Candy
Crooks
Carlson
I really felt the tense energy building up to the ending. I think the characters were written really well. I liked George's and Lennie's friendship. I felt sad when Carlson killed Candy's dog. And I really felt it when Lennie was saying that he really wants to leave, I could really picture that's how I would feel in that place. I felt bad for Curleys wife, everyone was really mean to her and I don't think she deserved it.
I did not really like the detailed descriptions of the surroundings at the start of each chapter, but I get that some people appreciate it. I did notice, that there are basically no female character and the few that we get are potrayed negatively (Curleys wife, Susy).
Spoiler
Ending: George kills Lennie, because Lennie killed Curleys wife. George had to, because the other would have killed him anyway and this way George was telling Lennie about the farm and the rabbit they were going to have.Characters:
George Milton
Lennie Small
Curley's Wife
Curley
Slim
Candy
Crooks
Carlson
isabellesbooks's review
4.0
I am suddenly changing my review from 3 stars to 4, a year after reading this, in the middle of the night, because I suddenly can’t stop thinking about it. The farm stuff was boring as all heck to me but in the end this one hit really hard. I do think I need to read this one again.
vivo_morior's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jesslyntimm's review
3.0
Lennie, oh my darling, Lennie.
I loved Lennie in this book. Through all of this book, I wanted to just hug Lennie. But, I'd never do that. He might kill me. Anyways, this was a light, slightly annoying read. It was fast paced and there wasn't really a dull moment. Many people and things died and it was an overall depressing book.
I wouldn't read this just for fun. I had to for school but now I'm going to see the movie.
The characters are lovable and Lennie is just a big teddy bear.
I loved Lennie in this book. Through all of this book, I wanted to just hug Lennie. But, I'd never do that. He might kill me. Anyways, this was a light, slightly annoying read. It was fast paced and there wasn't really a dull moment. Many people and things died and it was an overall depressing book.
I wouldn't read this just for fun. I had to for school but now I'm going to see the movie.
The characters are lovable and Lennie is just a big teddy bear.
ava96's review against another edition
4.0
I did not expect the things that happened.
During the whole time I was hoping that Lennie wouldn't kill Curley's wife and after that I was in shock. Everything was so peaceful until then. They were going to have a farm.
And then George going after Lennie.. That was painful. It was foreshadowed, at least I think so, in the moment when they killed Candy's old dog...
All in all, a very sad book for me.
During the whole time I was hoping that Lennie wouldn't kill Curley's wife and after that I was in shock. Everything was so peaceful until then. They were going to have a farm.
And then George going after Lennie.. That was painful. It was foreshadowed, at least I think so, in the moment when they killed Candy's old dog...
All in all, a very sad book for me.
alternbruno's review against another edition
4.0
The sadness one feels when the ending is coming and the dooming sensation of just knowing what will happen but being powerless about it is enough to break a soul. Of Mice and Men is a crude testimony of something along the unavoidable, the vulnerable and the caring.
Lennie and George travel together, an unusual thing for a rather lonely occupation. They arrive to a ranch and George warns Lennie to behave. The thing is, Lennie wants to, but he struggles a lot because of his particular fixation on things and his stunned social skills.
A contemporary reading of this american classic without merging our recent cultural categories is nearly impossible. At best we get to understand the other worldliness blendend into what still happens in our nowadays. For instance, the attitude we have towards disabled people and how we treat them has not improved greatly; even under widely different conditions. The narrative that they are still "kids" or "puppies" instead of people is yet among us, and this book is a tough reminder of that drama.
Lennie and George travel together, an unusual thing for a rather lonely occupation. They arrive to a ranch and George warns Lennie to behave. The thing is, Lennie wants to, but he struggles a lot because of his particular fixation on things and his stunned social skills.
A contemporary reading of this american classic without merging our recent cultural categories is nearly impossible. At best we get to understand the other worldliness blendend into what still happens in our nowadays. For instance, the attitude we have towards disabled people and how we treat them has not improved greatly; even under widely different conditions. The narrative that they are still "kids" or "puppies" instead of people is yet among us, and this book is a tough reminder of that drama.
eilidhgilmourr's review
adventurous
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5