Thus far, this is one of my favorite Steinbeck novels. In this tale, Steinbeck's recurrent themes of friendship, loyalty, nature, and the human connection are all intertwined together to make something that is remarkable, beautiful, and sometimes saddening. Everybody in here is devoted to each other in some way, even the scrupulous Lee Chong, who, as owner of the town's popular grocery store, tends to be the proverbial stick in the mud for everyone's plans. And yet, every major character in this novel is also fighting their own inner feelings of isolation and/or abandonment. The most intriguing character of this entire story, and the one who best exemplifies these conflicting problems, is the character of Doc, based on Steinbeck's lifetime friend, the marine biologist Ed Ricketts (who died a few years after Cannery Row was published). Doc is a kind hearted soul who gets truly angry at someone only once, but for a good reason. His selfless philanthropy among the denizens of Cannery Row generates a great deal of love and admiration for the man himself. And yet, surrounded by so many friends and well-wishers, Doc feels isolated and alone, as evidenced by his pleasant contemplation of the dead girl in the water and his choice of a disconsolate poem about lost love and abandonment at a party thrown for his pleasure. In the end though, I think Doc comes to accept his place at the heart of Cannery Row's life. Because of all these features, I am completely drawn to him and to his personal struggle. A short and enjoyable read, I would recommend this book to all true Steinbeck fans or just fans of a good book.