Scan barcode
boredstudent's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
apryls's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My man does not miss.
...ok, he missed in "Saint Katy the Virgin" (which is about a vicious pig that becomes a saint....yep), but one bizarre, 10-page story only results in a half-star reduction. Most of the stories were beautifully written and powerful.
...ok, he missed in "Saint Katy the Virgin" (which is about a vicious pig that becomes a saint....yep), but one bizarre, 10-page story only results in a half-star reduction. Most of the stories were beautifully written and powerful.
kcrouth's review against another edition
4.0
This is a choice collection of Steinbeck's short stories. I enjoyed them very much, both in the stories and in the telling. This collection also includes The Red Pony stories, which i had already read. Reading them a second time helped reveal to me their special nature, parts i missed the first time through. I definitely recommend this collection!
pfwhitman's review against another edition
3.0
Not being a fan of short stories for the most part, this collection was mixed bag. I finally did enjoy quite a number of these like The Chrysanthemums, The Raid and The White Quail while quite a few others were complete misses. Steinbeck creates such a vivid picture of depression era Salinas Valley but not every tory is as gripping or as thought provoking as you would hope.
wilde_read's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-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
2.0
Now I know why we burn books. Just kidding. I had to drag myself through these annoying stories littered with abuse, violence, racial slurs, and animal death. (Did I forget anything?) There wasn't a character in here I wanted to hang out with for more than the length of the story. Less even. Was Steinbeck holding up a mirror to California society in those days? Shudder! Has much changed? A future visit to the area might reveal the truth.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Violence, and Suicide attempt
sonijyak's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25