I first got this book, and this particular edition that I have self-added, in high school. According to the stamps in the back, it was last borrowed in 1993 - before I was born. 

I have started it many times over the years. I consider it a triumph to finish it. 

The first few times I failed - I think I just got bored. I couldn't relate. The last time I failed was because I attempted to take notes on every character, every chapter. If you make reading homework, you'll never finish a book.

I could finish it now because I can relate, in a least a small way. I'm older now and an adult. Like everyone else, we're all dealing with the hard parts of life. Like all hard parts of life, they can all be fixed - with money.

This is the novel's focus. Ethan has no money and is an honest man. Everyone tells him that it is a fault to be honest. You can't get money if you are honest. Ethan attempts to take control of his life, if not for him, then for his children and wife. Steinbeck details Ethan's wrangling of his thoughts and emotions. 

It all comes to a singular moment, a singular chapter - where I sincerely thought that Ethan was going to go through something I didn't want him to. The feeling was so strong I wanted to dive into the book to hold him back. After that moment I felt tense for the rest of the book, feeling like something, or everything, will go wrong. A book that can hold you to that is a great book.

The dialogue is my favorite part of this book. Especially between between Ethan and his family. Every conversation between Ethan and Mary, his wife, was something I adored. It was quick, it was witty. It felt like the TV show The Gilmore Girls! 

I wish the final few chapters were longer. We dove so much into the inner turmoil of Ethan in other parts of the book, I wanted to be more of that in the end. Also, is Steinbeck smacking me in the face with what morals he thinks are right or wrong? Doesn't every author do that? 

Great read. Maybe I'll move to an old New England town by the sea.