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mcmurdoc97's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
4.5
First time reading Steinbeck since high school. I really enjoy his writing style. This reads like you just jumped into life on Cannery Row as a local. A good story about flawed people trying to do good for someone else.
brandonpytel's review against another edition
5.0
Reminded me so much of Winesburg, Ohio with its ability to create a community through tis characters. Steinbeck blends perfectly the elements of nature with his sad, stagnant characters like Doc, Lee Ching, or Henri. It is a true novel about the human ability to empathize with others, while in the midst of economic depression: a wealth of a man is judged by character, yet the sad reality of life sometimes dictates other philosophies. I haven't seen such distinct and sympathetic characters in a while.
teresatumminello's review against another edition
4.0
This book was very different from what I thought it would be. I envisioned mostly reading about the work in the canneries (it's mentioned but not a focus) and I thought it would be depressing (until I read a friend's review, which is, sadly, no longer on this site). Instead, it's a deceptively simple story (in terms of language) that evokes a range of emotions, humor and sadness all mixed up together, but it's never depressing.
At first I was reminded of [b:Winesburg, Ohio|80176|Winesburg, Ohio|Sherwood Anderson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1391639013s/80176.jpg|191520] in that its focus is on one community and the stories are more like vignettes (though they do end up connecting in many ways); but it's quite different from the Anderson. Anderson can be philosophical from what I remember, while Steinbeck, for the most part, lets his story speak for itself, which may seem surprising coming from the man who wrote [b:The Grapes of Wrath|4395|The Grapes of Wrath|John Steinbeck|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1511302892s/4395.jpg|2931549]. Anderson's characters can't, or won't, communicate with each other; the denizens of Cannery Row don't have that problem. They certainly don't always communicate in words -- they read each others' faces, vocal tones and mannerisms; they remember past history, but they know each other -- and ultimately themselves -- very well. Most of them would never say the actual words, but they love each other too.
The character of the young boy, Frankie, and the story of a gopher simply broke my heart. This slim book reinforces the idea that beauty and truth can be found in the unlikeliest of places, one of my favorite themes.
At first I was reminded of [b:Winesburg, Ohio|80176|Winesburg, Ohio|Sherwood Anderson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1391639013s/80176.jpg|191520] in that its focus is on one community and the stories are more like vignettes (though they do end up connecting in many ways); but it's quite different from the Anderson. Anderson can be philosophical from what I remember, while Steinbeck, for the most part, lets his story speak for itself, which may seem surprising coming from the man who wrote [b:The Grapes of Wrath|4395|The Grapes of Wrath|John Steinbeck|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1511302892s/4395.jpg|2931549]. Anderson's characters can't, or won't, communicate with each other; the denizens of Cannery Row don't have that problem. They certainly don't always communicate in words -- they read each others' faces, vocal tones and mannerisms; they remember past history, but they know each other -- and ultimately themselves -- very well. Most of them would never say the actual words, but they love each other too.
The character of the young boy, Frankie, and the story of a gopher simply broke my heart. This slim book reinforces the idea that beauty and truth can be found in the unlikeliest of places, one of my favorite themes.
thepetris's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mnementh's review against another edition
slow-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
millib's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Loved it! I liked it so much I read it again with my mom
quinoacowboy's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
rhiannon2001's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
fast-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
3.5
dinsdale's review against another edition
4.0
My Steinbeck journey continues. After spending time on a horse farm and in the Netherlands, I am back to a more familiar Steinbeckian setting, in Monterey, just down the road from Salinas. Not only is the location familiar but so are some of the characters. Like in Tortilla Flats, there was a group of unemployed/underemployed knuckleheads who live rent free in another character’s building, this one happens to be an abandoned storage shed. And also like Tortilla Flats, the knuckleheads had a common goal. This time it was to give their friend, marine biologist Doc, a party. Doc was based on a real person, Steinbeck’s friend Ed Ricketts, also a marine biologist in Monterey. Doc was the smartest and most admired resident on Cannery Row, even dogs smiled at him. Do our heroes successfully pull off their party to honor Doc? No spoilers here (although I might be the last person on the planet to have read this book).
This was another great Steinbeck read. I found it to be more humorous than the prior books of his I’ve read and, like the others, is was chock full of colorful characters, interesting settings, and humanity. Wonderful.
This was another great Steinbeck read. I found it to be more humorous than the prior books of his I’ve read and, like the others, is was chock full of colorful characters, interesting settings, and humanity. Wonderful.