i cannot BELIEVE this book is so short but so impactful. it took me months to read even though it is soo short because it was so brutal. such a good read that covers so many themes and social dynamics with so few words.
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this is my favorite novel and makes me feel all warm inside. i love how bittersweet it is in its portrayal of fuckups and forgiveness and trust in others and changing as a person but not as much as youd like to. profoundly human and beautiful.
Dec 20, 2023
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I jsut finished it, I got it cause steinbecks is from salines and Iโve always wanted to read a book about California from a dude from here. Iโm glad I started with him and this book. It was so lovely. itโs isnt this crazy interesting novel with twists and turns and shock. It much simpler and maybe even more boring than that. But itโs the way that Steinbeck sets the scene of cannery row and describes the characters. You canโt get enough of it. You can feel the compassion that he writes with. Heโs not exploiting anyone for an interesting chapter, or writing these larger than life characters. Instead their everyday people with everyday flaws. Steinbeck find the beauty humor and nature of them. Weaving together seamlessly. No rock is left unturned in terms of honoring the things Steinbeck wrote off. Even the smallest ocean dwellers being is dissected, observed and described in a way that feels honorable and realistically honest. He is compassionate and he finds the humor in these people. He writes of life honestly but with love and care. I felt like I was looking into the life of people I will never personally know but now have lived with. I feel like I have seen the Monterey of Steinbeck and he paints the people with a light and life that I will not easily forget.ย
So for a simple kind story id read this book and itโs not to long
Apr 28, 2024
just finished reading this I loved it so much, definitely need to read more john steinbeck books!
Feb 3, 2025
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my angel friend erin bought me this magnetic dog keychain in japan and its sooooo cute and i love it when it flips inside my bag and peeks out like a real handbag dog ! thank u erin!
Dec 21, 2024
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obviously a classic - and i obviously think "WOW! no wonder this is a classic" every time i read a classic HOWEVER... truly so incredible in its themes and imagery - betrayal, revenge, nature, god, no god, death, love, passion! i reread it for the first time since i was a teenager and i just cannot believe how powerful and disturbing this book is, i can't even imagine how scandalous it would have been.
one thing i love most about wuthering heights is how married human life is with nature and the environment. animals, plants and the moor landscape are intertwined with the two houses and the families. i loved the constant mention of dogs and birds throughout. so incredible and so wild. can't believe she wrote this and died.
Dec 4, 2024
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the in our time podcast discusses heaps of classics with a panel of experts, great way to hear what academics have been thinking about texts and the key themes they draw out. it's really chaotic because they have to get through a lot in a short time and the host (melvyn bragg) is always pressing them to give a straight answer.
the secret life of books podcast is also really good, they discuss the backstory and context of classics and how they contribute the books overall identity, but also its legacy.
i'm sure there's heaps more out there but these two are quite in depth when it comes to easily available literary analysis !
Nov 21, 2024