jmwise1's review against another edition
1.0
I just feel like I missed the whole point of the story. And the main character was so unlikeable. There was nothing relatable or realistic about the characters and their relationships and dialogues to each other. I guess it was more plot driven.
But even that sucked too! So disjointed, confusing, meaningless, and random. Nothing made sense.
I only didn’t DNF bc I know that I loved cannery row towards the middle which saved it ; and bc I bought TAGU and didn’t want to waste my money. But it seems I have either way):
At least I can tick this off my steinbeck list and chalk it up to his early writing isn’t as good as his later work!
But even that sucked too! So disjointed, confusing, meaningless, and random. Nothing made sense.
I only didn’t DNF bc I know that I loved cannery row towards the middle which saved it ; and bc I bought TAGU and didn’t want to waste my money. But it seems I have either way):
At least I can tick this off my steinbeck list and chalk it up to his early writing isn’t as good as his later work!
dimeetch's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.75
Classic Steinbeck. Strong characters, tons of tension, and ripe with symbolism. Great read!
alisonordnung's review against another edition
2.0
I love Steinbeck, but this is really not for me. It's written in a beautiful, poetic style, but it's not as plot-driven as some of his others - East of Eden, The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, The Pearl - all of which are tight as a snare drum. There are interesting discussions to be had about the interplay of Christianity and Paganism, but it's just a bit of a mess. Apparently it took him 5 years to write - longer than any of his other novels. Perhaps some novels, like bread, can come out rough and shriveled when they've been overworked.
gsher002's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
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
2.75
thebookthiefgirl's review against another edition
4.0
“A montanha partia-se em duas. Ombros nus de calcário inclinavam-se nitidamente para baixo, encurvando-se ligeiramente e, no fundo, já só havia lugar para o leito do rio. No meio do desfiladeiro, no sítio em que o rio corria rápido, profundo e silencioso, erguia-se um grosseiro monólito que se projetava para fora da água, cortando a corrente como a proa de um barco a navegar rapidamente pelo curso de água acima, provocando um sussurro em torvelinho.”
meowkeyes's review against another edition
4.0
brilliantly weird and dark, it was so nonsensical and somehow made perfect sense