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lacytelles's review against another edition
4.0
I love John Steinbeck, and I enjoyed this collection of stories. Holter Graham is the narrator, and he does an excellent job with all the voices. These are slices of American life in "the olden days". Quick and great.
creekhiker's review against another edition
3.0
I somehow missed reading this collection before now. Some stories are gorgeous and amazing, like "Chrysanthemum" and "The Harness" and "The Red Pony" novella (which I first read as a child and is how I fell in love with Steinbeck), but others don't work at all and are really rough, with poor craft, like "The Snake." It is actually a wonderful thing to see the beginnings of such a great writer, and how he developed his craft. For instance, the woman in "The Snake" seems to have the same seed of character as Cathy in "East of Eden," but Steinbeck just wasn't quite ready to write her yet.
aubrijoanne's review against another edition
5.0
My first attempt at Steinbeck since reading Of Mice and Men in 9th grade, and it didn’t disappoint.
Favorites were The Chrysanthemums, The White Quail, and The Harness. Beautiful writing about the Salinas Valley, and insightful narration of female characters.
Favorites were The Chrysanthemums, The White Quail, and The Harness. Beautiful writing about the Salinas Valley, and insightful narration of female characters.
cloppythemule's review against another edition
5.0
There just isn’t a better writer. I don’t know how he does it. The series of Red Pony stories in particular are incredible. This series of shorts wasn’t connected like Pastures of Heaven but it’s a very similar set of tales- just brilliant
mai2725's review against another edition
4.0
I know that a lot of people didn't like this book.
And to be honest after reading "The Grapes of Wrath" and "The pearl" to him,I got disappointed too.
However,I kinda liked the book,it wasn't a powrful stories,th end of the stories were very week and it kinda left you with your imagination,but I can't deny that I was excited during reading the book and I don't know why maybe because of the easy way he wrote the book in or maybe because I felt that the stories were so realistic.
And to be honest after reading "The Grapes of Wrath" and "The pearl" to him,I got disappointed too.
However,I kinda liked the book,it wasn't a powrful stories,th end of the stories were very week and it kinda left you with your imagination,but I can't deny that I was excited during reading the book and I don't know why maybe because of the easy way he wrote the book in or maybe because I felt that the stories were so realistic.
nerdestiny's review against another edition
4.0
A very moving collection of people and their stories in rural California. The stories got more intimate and emotional as the book went on and I felt myself get pretty caught up in this little world by the end. Really enjoyed it, more than I thought I would.
sottola99's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
eoinmeen78's review against another edition
3.0
Nice collection but nothing great that didn't become its own release later
carduelia_carduelis's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting sketch of characters but I think calling these short stories is a bit of a stretch