I think you all know by now that I have a brain crush on John Steinbeck. Unfortunately I have run in to some haters along the way who can't just let me crush away peacefully.
My brother-in-law started reading East of Eden after I gushed about it one time. He called 100 pages in and said he hated it. He hated one character A LOT. To me I think that is high praise. If an author can make you seething mad at a fictional character ... BRAVO! East of Eden has the most believable, lovable and hateable characters I have ever read. I love that! Make me feel real emotions...I dare you!
But whatever, to each his own.
Anyhow, some other book-loving, Steinbeck-haters happened across my path and told me they didn't want to read East of Eden or Grapes of Wrath because they hated Cannery Row. I must admit (hiding my head in shame) I had never read Cannery Row. Why? Because it is always checked out at the library which means someone must like it.
After I walked away embarrassed that I hadn't read this classic Steinbeck novel I thought I better just go buy it. I opened it. I flipped the pages and reveled in that yummy new book smell. I handle library books lightly because I don't know who else has handled them, or how. Yuck! But when I buy a book every page is all mine. I know there are other book perverts out there who know what I mean.
Alright then...back on track. As I started reading I was a little wiggly in the tummy because I was nervous. What if I hated it? So I read, and I read, and I read....and I still wish I had this man's gift. Seriously, so brilliant!
It is not a storyteller's book. He is a great storyteller, as found in East of Eden but this book is something very different. If you've read it and wondered where the plot was, I hear you. This is more of a glimpse, or a series of observations than a fluid story. This a light sketch of an entire town. The characters are only loosely tied together, if at all and sometimes you will find an entire chapter about a character or a gopher that you never see again.
So, why is it brilliant?
Because HOLY CRAP this man can write. We can all make up stories, some better than others. But John Steinbeck has a gift for observing life as it is and giving it new words. I can't tell you how many times I read his words and think "that is so true". He points out things that we have all observed. Parts of our very nature that we never talk about but all notice. To be able to give words to those observations is exceptional.
We can all describe a dirty dish, but have you ever thought to describe a dirty pan as covered in "fried egg lace"? Steinbeck did! How smart is that? You've seen that lace in your pan but you never called it that...you will now.
Now of course the observations go deeper than just describing a pan. I am actually already re-reading it and I could make you lists of fabulous quotes.
His words are perfect! So there you go haters....I loved Cannery Row. Now go read East of Eden please.
18 comments:
Are you kidding? You are book hater #1!(Twilight)Of course I know what you will say next...that Twilight sucks and isn't good writing, but that is subjective. What appeals to some is crap for others. I love me some Steinbeck though, although I wasn't too fond of Cannery Row. Maybe I will read it again...and you can read the rest of the Twilight series. Ha ha!
I have to agree with above comment. Haha. A lot of us do feel real emotions reading Twilight and harry Potter etc.. but I don't judge you for not liking them. I think you're cool.
And I do plan on reading these Steinbeck novels. You have intrigued me so I will be reading them sometimes soon.
That quote about the pan is awesome.
HOLY CRAP!! Didn't anyone ever tell you that YOU can write?? I love the way you write, your way with words, your stories. DANG you're good!
PS--we're bringing the trailer for our city girl--didn't think you'd want a baby in a tent.
I have already admitted that I am a book snob. I am really obsessed with words. I like a good story but I LOVE when an author uses the right words...and you know I am a sucker for anyone who really examines human nature.
I wasn't trying to hate on my Twilight loving friends. Val and Cheryl I think you are both crazy smart and I love that you are book lovers. You both really get it and love books. We may have different taste but I wasn't trying to put anyone down. Just defending what I love, that's all.
And thanks Ann! I have so many flaws in my writing but I am grateful for my audience of 10 who read my blog and encourage me. You made me smile!
You know I don't think I've read a Steinbeck novel since I was in highschool, but you have intrigued me so now I just might pick up a couple.
We should really get together and start a book club!!!!
I am intrigued as well, and might have to check out more Steinbeck. I just finished The Secret Life of Bees, which I felt totally described in amazing ways so many emotions and feelings, etc. Yeah, see, I'm a great writer! Ha! Anyway, I liked it--have you read that?
As a dedicated Twilight fan, though not offended, I must agree with Val and Cheryl. I think it's fair that we read some John Steinbeck and Julie finishes up the Twilight Series!!!
::Team Edward::
~Steph~
Yeah, Julie, I so agree with Ann, you are a terrific writer! You inspire me. And I was so in love with Steinbeck in high school. I forgot about that. I need to read his other works now. I just remember vividly living through the dust bowl through him! And I agree, can't quite compare his writing to Meyers. They're totally different genres. Different purposes. One's a flash in the pan, the other's a classic. But both are great introductions to a different world than the one we live in. aunt j
Steinbeck - I'm a hater I admit it but I am a lover of Julie's writing (try a short story sometime). I am also enjoying the Twilight series which has surprised me more than anything lately, I thought I'd hate it. Much better than Time Traveler's wife. Steinbeck is depressing, give me something upbeat like being in love with a bloodsucking vampire.
Hey I want to know if you've read Les Miserable? A friend gave me a condensed version when she heard I was reading it the first time. (I only had to read the first chapter--maybe less to realize what I was missing). It is an inspiring story written magnificently. The first time I heard the music from the play I cried. As a little boy Michael loved it when I would read pages to him--of course the battle scenes were his favorite. I think I'm going to dig out Steinbeck and give it a try again.
Linda, I have read Les Miserables and I loved it. I like Hunchback of Notre Dame just as much, maybe more so give that one a look when you are done with Les Mis.
I want you to know that I did finish East of Eden. I was going to blog about it, but I could never quite sum up my thoughts and feelings about it. I guess you could say that reading it is "an experience."
I can not recommend reading "East of Eden" to anyone. There's a lot there that people don't need to know or be exposed to.
I do, however, agree with your appreciation of Steinbeck's brilliance. Some of the things he brings out in his characters illustrate tendencies and flaws that I'm not sure even psychologists of the 1950s understood.
I think a good criteria for judging book, movie, picture, work of art, etc., is: "Am I a better person for having read it?" "Does/did it inspire me, and rekindle my hope in the future and in humankind?" And I guess, that I've had trouble knowing how to answer those questions after reading "East of Eden."
Jonathon,
Thanks for commenting. I wondered if you ever finished East of Eden or not.
I will respectfully disagree, of course with your final assessment.
I do feel like I grew and learned about humanity, and myself as I read it. It helps me judge less because it points out that we all have the potential to do evil. We all have thoughts that are evil and thoughts that are good. We come here built the same and by the same maker. We decide what we act upon and what we repress and overcome.
I love that he supports the idea of choice and accountability for our actions.
I love that he talks about how evil has to reinvent itself continually to entice people but good is constant from the beginning of the world. Those ideas, and more all improved me and strengthened me.
Yes evil is brought to life in East of Eden, but don't we believe that there can be no good without evil? I think the contrast is illustrated so poignantly in East of Eden.
Even the scriptures tell of darkness and evil in the world. I don't feel like East of Eden exposed me, but rather enlightened me. But again, to each his own, right?
But did you at least like Lee? He is one of my favorite characters in all of fiction.
Of course I love Lee. And all of the rest of the characters, too, for all their flaws. And I'm certainly not saying that we should cover up our eyes and plug our ears and say "LA LA LA, I CAN'T HEAR YOU" and pretend there's no evil in the world. And yes, the central theme that we can choose to overcome our genetic/inherited weaknesses and tendencies is a good one. {[WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILER]} But part of me wishes Cal could have been smart enough to catch himself before he destroyed his brother...
I guess I have to admit that perhaps I lost some innocence through reading "East of Eden." I was shocked by the depth of evil and sin that was portrayed. And I simply don't believe that everyone needs or even should have that. We can learn about the importance of choice and good and evil in many other ways in many other stories and portrayals.
But now that I've read the book, I have come to think that there certainly are people out there like Cathy, who seem to have very little soul or care for anything but power and money and manipulating people.
FWIW, I definitely prefer "To Kill A Mockingbird." And personally, I really like books that portray a person's struggle with religion and community, like "My Name is Asher Lev" and "The Autobiography of Malcom X."
I also love the Malcolm X bio and To Kill a Mockingbird.
As for Cal, I love Cal. I don't think it is fair to say that he destroyed Aron because again, Aron made his own choices. If Cal destroyed Aron then wouldn't it be fair to say that Aron drove him to it by his intolerable self-righteousness? I guess I could start playing the blame game in my own life until I get all the way back to Adam (the biblical one, not the character).
The reality is that they were each responsible for the way they responded to each other. We don't make people do anything. I am a big believer in that principle. I had hope for Cal at the end of the book. We are all, when stripped down, exactly as insecure as Cal was. I thought Cal was the most real, most relateable character in the whole book.
Lee was wise.
Adam was good.
Cathy was evil.
Aron was judgemental.
Cal was all of these. He was real.
Anyhow, I could definitely go the rounds on East of Eden but I won't post again because I don't want this to start looking like a battle. I will just agree to disagree.
Cannery Row is actually the most recent book I've read from Steinbeck and is most fresh in mind compared to his others. I, too, like to read books that examine human nature and experiences. Most times I find myself more compelled by those kinds of books rather than adventure, mystery, etc. The next time we see each other I'll have to give you a list of books that I've read the past couple of years that do just that. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Cannery Row.
It's good to know someone else who likes to read deep, thought-provoking fiction. I finally got Mike to read all the Ayn Rand novels except for Atlas Shrugged. He won't start that one yet because it's over a 1000 pages and is still too affected by the her other works. However, I think everyone needs to read her stuff especially with what's going on in our country today. Really puts things into perspective. I may re-read Atlas because I haven't read it since college.
Julie, I was sorry to hear you made BadDad lose his innocence. He can get it back by reading the gentle prose of A. A. Milne (although some literary critics have questioned the emerging ambivalent sexuality of Christopher Robin, so that might not work either). He should also avoid any nonfiction books, because real life can be kind of scary too.
I have actually been thinking a little lately about John Steinbeck and The Pearl. There are some interesting parallels between that story and what has happened with Susan Boyle across the pond.
Also, I have to say that I am a little concerned with Julie’s constant shilling for Steinbeck. I am beginning to wonder if she gets some kind of commission from Penguin every time someone from this blog buys a Steinbeck novel. Why else would she avoid promoting Hemingway, or other Steinbeck contemporaries? I think that all readers of this blog are entitled to a full accounting of any monetary conflicts of interest on Julie’s part.
With that said, I think I am going to go buy East of Eden. I’ll send Julie a dollar.
Jared Morton
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