Steinbeckathon 2012: The Grapes of Wrath

"Okie use' ta mean you was from Oklahoma. Now it means you're a dirty son-of-a-bitch. Okie means you're scum. Don't mean nothing itself, it's the way they say it." - Chapter 18

"How can you frighten a man whose hunger is not only in his own cramped stomach but in the wretched bellies of his children? You can't scare him--he has known a fear beyond every other." - Chapter 19

"Whenever they's a fight so hungry people can eat, I'll be there. Whenever they's a cop beatin' up a guy, I'll be there... I'll be in the way guys yell when they're mad an'-I'll be in the way kids laugh when they're hungry an' they know supper's ready. An' when our folks eat the stuff they raise an' live in the houses they build-why, I'll be there." - Chapter 28



This is the discussion thread for John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath
Ellen / EBT1002 will be hosting this thread.
Spoilers are welcome, but please indicate them in your message out of
respect for those who are reading at a different pace. Enjoy!



Steinbeckathon main thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/130105

Thanks for setting this up!!!

Ilana, thanks for setting up this beautiful thread - I always love seeing the book covers you choose and reading through the quotes.

Ellen, thanks for hosting. This is still my all time favorite Steinbeck, so I look forward to following the discussion. As I said on the main thread, I just read this book last year in June, so I will probably not reread it now but will instead read The Worst Hard Time, which is nonfiction about the same era. For anyone who's interested, if you own a Kindle and you have Prime, The Worst Hard Time is available for free from the Kindle Lending Library.

Many thanks to Ilana for setting up our May thread! I'm looking forward to a lively discussion!

No need to thank me, I enjoy doing it.

By the way, if anyone is interested in that copy of the Armed Services Edition, I found the photo on AbeBooks, where it's currently available for purchase. As they explain:

"Armed Services Editions were printed by the Council on Books in Wartime for distribution within the American military between 1943 and 1947, and were designed to provide entertainment to soldiers serving overseas, while also educating them about political, historical, and military issues. The program was a massive success, and as a result few of the copies that survive remain in collectible condition."

I started early, because I am planning a couple of long books for May and I wanted to make sure I'll get through this one in time. I read the first quarter and so far both story and writing just take my breath away. I loved the others, but this one drew me in from the very first page. Simply perfect! He really deserved his nobel prize.

I'm in! My very first group read.

This is my second Steinbeck - I studied Of Mice and Men in school ten years ago and loved it. The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden have been sitting on my TBR for about six months, it's time to crack one open!

Nathalie, that's a promising description of the first part of the novel! I have to dig my copy out of the shelves.....

Orlaith, I'm glad you're joining us for TGoW.

I'm in - its on the re-try list for the year anyway, so this seemed serendipitious. Hated the first third last time I tried it - hopefully it'll be better this time.

This is one of my favorites (of all books, not just Steinbeck's) so I'm happy to join in the reread. I think he redeems himself a bit by having strong women characters in this one, especially compared to some of the other books we've read so far.

Also just wanted to say that my favorite part occurs in Chapter 15, the candy scene. I love that scene.

I have ordered a copy but I fear it won't be delivered in time so I am on hold for my library's ebook edition. Hopefully I'll be able to join in this month!

>10 LibraryLover23: I haven't started and won't for another week or so, but now I'm looking forward to chapter 15!

I started last night - and I was NOT looking forward to it. But hey - time is a great changer of people and so far (not that far to be fair) I'm actually not hating it... hmmmm... fingers crossed that'll continue!

Now I wish I had a better memory and could remember that candy scene. Sometimes it's good that I'm so forgetful because whenever I re-read something, so much of it seems new again, but there are times when I do wish I could remember details better.

Smiler69 said: "Sometimes it's good that I'm so forgetful because whenever I re-read something, so much of it seems new again"

Smiler, I think you've really got something there. Sometimes it feels like I'm reading layers, especially with something more complex. Each successive read reveals more underneath.

Now I have to stop this philosophizing and get to reading TGoW--aiming for chapter 15!

Karen O.

I can already see the benefit of a group read - I have been reading TGoW *very* slowly - enjoying it, but in no rush to pick it up. Now I know I am going to sit under it tonight until Chapter 15 is read! :)

I've started out reading two chapters (at least) per day. There are 30 chapters (I think!); I might want to slow down to savor one chapter a day, and still finish it in May. Really liking it so far!

Karen O.

Lol, no pressure or anything! I hope you all like the book (including Chapter 15) as much as I do. :)

I'm so confused! I read the first third of this years ago and loathed it. So I've picked it up gingerly expecting to hate it and instead... darn it... I'm really enjoying it.

So I've picked it up gingerly expecting to hate it and instead... darn it... I'm really enjoying it.

I love that! :-)
It's the kind of book that benefits from being read when one's accumulated maturity and life experiences, imho.

I just brought home the movie version from the library yesterday, so will be watching it this week. I'm really itching to pick up the book again, even though I re-read it just a year ago... but it just doesn't make sense, given I've so many books as yet unread I really want to get to on this month's tbr (or so I keep telling myself!)

Hi everyone. It's May 6 and I thought I'd check in with how the Group Read is going. It seems than many of us are anticipating both starting this one a bit later in the month and taking our time to read it. When Ilana, Mark, and I set up the Steinbeckathon, we intentionally bracketed this read with two shorter novels, so we can comfortably go into June (whew). I'll start my own reading of The Grapes of Wrath on the plane to San Francisco later this week.

I read this about 30 years ago. I was 21 then. Back then, I thought it was tremendous but I was also reading it for a class requirement. I'm interested to see how I'll react this time as I rarely ever re-read books.

I'm bringing it with me to work today and hope to get started on it, a bit.

I'm glad to hear that this could go into June.

I really like the way Steinbeck built the chapters into the "contrapuntal"* order, with an editorial, descriptive-of-all-the-migrants chapter interspersed with a chapter dealing specifically with the Joad family. The "big picture" chapters seem to lay a framework that the Joad-specific illustrates, almost illuminates.

I'm pretty much sticking with the chapter-a-day reading schedule. I usually read multiple books at a time, so this is just one book that I'm reading (although it's the best one, by far, right now). This schedule slows me down and keeps me paying attention to the wonderful writing.

Karen O.

* The intro to the Penguin edition refers to the structure like this.

Karen, I kind of like the chapter-a-day approach to this one. I may borrow that idea from you. That way, I can start it, but still read some other things in May, too! And give this one some time to marinate in between chapters.

#21 You are very right - I think when I first tried it I didn't really get the pain/beauty of it all, or really understand anything they were going through. Now it's 9/10 years on and those have been rather full years - it's definitely striking a chord my 21 year old self just could not understand.

I read the first chapter this morning. I, too, like that chapter a day approach though I'll also sprinkle in some of the introductory material from my Penguin edition as well.

Great idea!!

EBT1002 said, "And give this one some time to marinate in between chapters."

I LOVE that word! That's exactly how it feels. If I didn't slow it down like this (a chapter a day, more or less), I might miss some of this great writing. And it gives me permission to be working through other books at the same time.

Karen O.

I got my copy in the mail a couple days ago so I got to start it last night. I'm slow going but like it so far!

That first chapter is Steinbeck at his most Steinbeckian. Beautiful.

For the first time ever delurking on Librarything, but how could I not with this wonderful, wonderful book. I still have 40 pages left and I'm already mourning the finishing of it and the return to real life. The book is so incredibly powerful and well-written, it's going to be my first five star read for this year. I only read The Pearl before The grapes of wrath, but now there is no stopping me. I want to read all the other books written by this amazing writer. Loving it.

Every time I check in here, I regret my decision not to read it again this time 'round. I look forward to watching the movie some time this week (I have no idea where last week went already!)

31> Wow --- I'm so glad you de-lurked and that you are so deeply enjoying the novel! I'm in the middle of chapter 13 and I agree with you that it's a powerful and well-written work. Steinbeck's regular shift between telling the story of the Joads and telling the story of the time, the land, the animals, even the houses in which they lived. I love it when he advances the story by taking us into the experience of a creature, even though it often breaks my heart. In this case, the turtle.....

Thanks for setting this up, Ilana! I'm about halfway through (they just reached California), and I'm loving it. For some reason it really picked up for me when Tom Joad was able to fix the car with parts from the junkyard. Go figure.

The turtle part really caught me up, too, Ellen.

I never have seen the movie, but I will now.

I loved the Grapes of Wrath. I of course read it in high school but being so young didnt really appreciate it. I reread the book about a year or so ago and WOW what an inpact it made on me now as an adult.

Your heart just has to go out to these characters. It just makes you think about how things would be different now or would they?????

I'm through ch. 17 now, and loving the read. My experience with the books we've read in the Steinbeckathon is that it takes a while to get in gear, and then the characters and the narrative just pulls me along. The dialogue is a little tricky in Grapes of Wrath, but it does add to the depictions.

I've been struck by two things (well, probably more than that, but two is all I'll deal with here!): (1) how the difficult economic times are like a mirror for what people are facing today, and (2) how polite and civil the migrants are to each other. I think that that civility was a true part of the Joads and their fellow migrants before the great migration, but also that it was necessary for their joint survival (I think it was chapter 16 that told us about the creation of the "Worlds" and the need for courtesy).

Wow, there's a lot to think about here. I'm glad I'm taking the chapter-a-day approach, for the "marinating" (thanks, EBT1002).

Karen O.

I'm taking a little break from TGoW, trying to complete a couple of library books. It's a variation on the chapter-a-day approach.
:-)

Yes, but you came up with the great term, "marinating." I've gotten behind and had to read a few days' worth to catch up with the chapter-a-day thing, but the approach is going to help me get that book read this month, and get a lot of "juice" out of it.

Darn library books! Those due dates just get in the way sometimes!

Karen O.

Sit down and just think for a minute what this would be like to leave your home because you have no choice and have all the belonging in a truck and your whole family moves across the country to the unknown.

You may actually stop for a couple of days or weeks at a spot but after that you just wondering into the unknown hoping and praying that things will be better down the road. In a lifestyle like this family relationships are tested to the max and its sad that not everyone loves you unconditionally like they claimed. But then complete strangers will actually reach out to help fellow mankind.

I'm pretty much sticking with the chapter-a-day regimen, but it's getting hard to hold back! I want to know what happens next! Since I'm 2/3 through, I might just play it by ear and move ahead.

Karen O.

I finished and loved it. When I was growing up, I remember hearing, "Who is going to write the Great American Novel?" As I was reading this, I kept thinking, here it is. My review is now on The Grapes of Wrath book page.

The ending I found to be a big surpise and I just didnt see it coming at all. It was very touching and I have to admit made me cry.

I agree on the ending. For me it was a jaw-dropper.

Chapter 25 - Just made me cry with the pain and truth of it. Ouch.

BekkaJo said, "Chapter 25 - Just made me cry with the pain and truth of it. Ouch."

I know! I marked the last paragraphs as some of the strongest, most poetic writing in the book (and that's going far). I think that Steinbeck is telling us here what "The Grapes of Wrath" means, and the words just burn and glow. Magnificent!

Karen O.

jnwelch, I thumbed your very excellent review!

I just finished this afternoon. Had a good cry at the ending!

This book has been, for me, one of those books that change my life. I hope I keep this feeling and put it to good use (that sounds like something that Ma would say!). I want to be like the camp manager in his white clothes or the people in good ol' Chapter 15 who showed kindness to the migrants at the truck stop.

It was so great to read this as a group read and to read all of your comments!

Karen O.

Can't wait to get to chapter 25.

BTW, I know that I'm theoretically "facilitating" this Group Read, but this group seems to be doing a terrific job of facilitating itself! Still, I'll try to think of a profound question to direct to the group. :-|

>46 klobrien2: Thanks for the thumb, Karen!

I know, it was so moving when they finally encountered some kindness and decent treatment.

BTW, that's the best kind of facilitation, Ellen, seems to me - when the group runs on its own like this.

Wow. That ending really hits you like a truck doesn't it. I just finished about 2 minutes ago and I feel all numb. Amazing book.

It does! I just finished it this morning as well and I am blown away. I tried to read this in university twenty or so years ago and didn't make it past the first few chapters. I have no idea why I didn't like it but it bored me to no end. But now, after reading some of his shorter fiction, I decided to tackle it again and I couldn't stop. This is my first 5-star read this year. I found myself laughing many times but then crying many times. And yes, as some have pointed out already, things really haven't changed much.

I do wish they'd quit aiming for and sometimes hitting animals in the road.

#51: this reminds me... I was very much relieved when the turtle got away.

Me too.

Of course, I get why Steinbeck included these scenes. The unthinking and cold dispensation of so many human lives, and those who have been displaced commit the same kinds of unthinking actions -- sometimes to other humans but (in this novel so far) more often toward animals. It's the classic chain of cruelty.

I have enjoyed everyone's comments and am still reading on. I won't finish by the end of the day today but at least Of Mice and Men is short so I hope to be able to complete both in June

I finished Grapes of Wrath today. It is a great book, hopefully I'll have some comments up on my thread in a day or two.

Thanks to everyone who is taking part in the Steinbeckathon I'm having a great time. I'll probably not read Of Mice and Men next month as it was the one of the books that turned me off Steinbeck when I was at school. I'll lurk on the thread and re-read it at a later time.

I'm not going to finish TGoW this month either (which would be by midnight tonight). I will complete it along with Of Mice and Men in June.

We had planned that TGoW might extend into June, so this discussion can continue!

ETA: While I was on the bus this morning, I got the Joads into California, looking down on the lush green valley. I have a feeling it's not going to be an easy job for them to settle in and find work. :-|

I finally watched the movie version last night, so joined those of you who didn't finish the book in May, in my own way.

I was at first astounded when I saw young Henry Fonda. Of course I knew he was a good looking man in his more mature years, but had never seen him as a young man. He was 35 when they filmed The Grapes of Wrath, but he looked like he was still in his early 20s and those baby blues were pretty dreamy.

I liked the movie overall, and enjoyed seeing how they'd interpreted some of the most important parts of the story, but I can't say I was completely wrapped up in it. One thing that made me really excited about the book was what Karen O. pointed out was referred to as the contrapuntal order (see #24) with the novel altering between the narration of the Joads' progress and the editorial chapters describing overall conditions in America at the time.

As I just wrote on my own thread, while it's a given I'll be returning to the novel in future, I doubt I'll feel a pressing need to see the movie again. It was very good in it's own way, but no matter what, it was a Hollywood version and as such I found it lacked the poignancy of Steinbeck's original writing, which has so much depth that it leads the mind in all kinds of directions. Still, I'm glad I finally saw it.

For those of you interesting in continuing on with the Steinbeckathon, we'll be reading Of Mice and Men this month. I've put up the thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/137915.

Mamie (Crazymamie) and I will be sharing the hosting on it since Brit (weejane) probably has too much on her plate right now. Looking forward to your comments!

The Grapes of Wrath - completed June 27

I read this for the TIOLI June Challenge #8 - Read a book with a title that has equal or more letters from the second half of the alphabet than from the first half (7/13) AND for the Steinbeckathon group read.

Steinbeck writes of sad things. Poverty, hunger, the downtrodden. Yet, his works are filled with universal truths.

I am, so enjoying Steinbeck! Thanks LT for the Steinbeckathon!

Review here:
http://www.librarything.com/work/8488/reviews

This is the first Steinbeck book I've ever read. It is my my new favorite book. It is not for someone who is looking for a happily-ever-after, but for someone who is looking for reality. This book was so very real I shiverred with Ma as she sloshed through the water and I felt my hands warm as the migrants stood around the fire warming their hands and sharing news. I grew to love the migrant people and hate the wealthy, although I understood the wealthy, too. This book opened my eyes to a side of the industrial revolution that doesn't appear in any textbooks. I grew as a person as I read this book-- this book LITERALLY changed me. I have a whole new appreciation for the "Fambly," food, and roof over my head that I take for granted so very often. I have never been affected by a book this way before in my life!

#60 It's a very powerful novel and I can certainly understand why it would have affected you so much. Thanks for taking the time to share your impressions with us!

60> I know that feeling. I'm so glad you joined in and enjoyed the novel so much. I had not read it before and I certainly have a good sense of why it's considered a masterpiece.