When I found out we were moving to Monterey, I made a goal to read all of John Steinbeck's novels in anticipation of visiting the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, the town where he was born and raised. I didn't read all of them, but I did read a few key novels and doesn't that count for something? Please say yes, because I need something to show for this past year as far as reading goals and resolutions are concerned.
The novels I read in order of favorites:
East of Eden: technically I already read this a few years ago but it's still my favorite Steinbeck novel. Even he considers it his masterpiece. It takes place in Salinas and Steinbeck spends a good chunk of time describing the beauty of the Salinas Valley, and I'll tell you what--when I drive around the farmlands ours there I realize just how good of a writer he is because his words come alive.
The Grapes of Wrath:
There's a reason this novel is what everyone else considers as his masterpiece. This novel sparked outrage at the time it was published because it makes Californians look like complete a-holes regarding how they treated all the migrants from the mid west during the Dust Bowl.
Cannery Row: not like his other novels but still fun because it all takes place in Monterey and it was pretty cool reading his writing about places I know now from living in Monterey.
The Winter of our Discontent:
Doesn't take place in Monterey but it brought up interesting themes.
Tortilla Flat:
Takes place in Monterey--kind of a weird read, honestly!
So now that I'm looking at it, I really didn't read as many as I'd like, so this is carrying over into this year. But, I did get to visit the Steinbeck Center when my friend Lindsay visited, and it was something I had been looking forward to since high school, after I had read East of Eden for the first time for Oprah's book club and she held her show on the lawn of his house. I'm such a dork.
My little pregnant belly. Seems like so long ago.
The main theme of East of Eden: "thou mayest." Meaning you always have freedom of choice. So beautiful.
Now the house he grew up in is open to the public as a cute restaurant where you can eat. It was such a treat! I loved every second.
So anyway, I look forward to reading more and visiting the Center again. Does anyone reading this actually like Steinbeck? I hope so. I am kind of a fangirl. I even tracked down the house he lived in in Pacific Grove (also near Monterey) and it's just a regular house. I wonder if the people living in it now know that they live where Steinbeck did some of his major writing. Lucky!
East of Eden is one of my all time favourite books. It's such an amazing novel. I have never actually read The Grapes of Wrath though, so maybe i'll add that to my reading list.
ReplyDeleteAlso, i'm jealous that you're living in Monterey. I watched a documentary on Sea Otters, and apparently they hang out off the coast of Monterey? They are just the cutest!