Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion

Has to be on the list. I will never forget the powerful impact this book had the first time I read it. For the very first time, I could comprehend just how hard it was for my great-grandparents to pack up their 3 daughters and move from Oklahoma to California, picking tomatoes and cotton to pay their way. The courage that took, how hard it must have been. A book that truly gets the history and feeling of the country in that time across to the reader.

I was suprprised by this book, I really did not care for Of Mice And Men, and I am not overall a fan of the writing of Steinbeck, but I really did enjoy this book, more than I would have thought. I truly is a vivid and moving protryal of the struggle of the people in that time. And the end of the story is very provocative.

I guess I'm the only one... but I absolutely hated this book. For the life of me I can't recall why, I just remember every page being a chore and the writing style was beyond irritating to me. Which is strange because I recall enjoying "Of Mice and Men." I read both of them so long ago, I intend to re-read "Of Mice and Men" but don't think I could make it through "Grapes of Wrath" again.

I first read Grapes of Wrath when I was about 12 years old and have re-read it a couple of times as an adult; I loved it as a 12-year-old and, as an adult, I can't imagine that I really understood it when I was that young. I also read Of Mice and Men a few years ago and it had a great impact on me at that time. After visiting the Monterey area this summer, I picked up Tortilla Flats, Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday, as they all take place in that area and I generally like Steinbeck's writing. I enjoyed Tortilla Flats; I was a little disappointed with Cannery Row; but I loved Sweet Thursday. I'm currently reading East of Eden and am enjoying it, and plan on re-reading Of Mice and Men, since it's a quick read and I seem to be making it a Steinbeck summer. I find Steinbeck's style to generally be very comfortable to read, natural and unpretentious, but certainly see how it wouldn't be everybody's cup of tea.

I love Steinbeck. Grapes and Of Mice and Men are both near the top of my all-time favorites. Of Mice and Men is simply a good, old-fashioned, heart-wrenching story. Grapes is so much more. I would suggest that you do a little supplemental reading if you can't quite get into Grapes. A little research into the history, the Biblical parallels and allusions, etc. might help you look at the book in a new light. To me, the Joad chapters aren't the highlight, it's the intercalary chapters that are the real treasure. There are a few sections that give me goosebumps every time I read them...chapters 19 and 25 are the ones that come to mind (Yeah, I've read it a few times).

Good luck!

Oh, I read Grapes of Wrath in my AP Lit class back in High School, we learned all about the "Christ Figure" had to do indepth analysis, wrote a 15 page paper on all of the allusion etc and all of it made me hate the book even more. I generally had no problem reading through anything... but that one just really didn't click for me.

There is only one other book that evoked such loathing in me... it was called "Their Eyes were Watching God." I despised that one. It's weird that those two books are so negative for me when I have no problem with most of the others... I even enjoyed "Crime and Punishment" who knows... I'm just a weirdo.

Kristen...was it the tedium of the work or the text itself that you disliked?

That is a strange pairing to loathe. To each his own...I will be starting on Crime and Punishment soon myself. I can't put it off forever.

I think the Grapes of Wrath has the most amazing ending of virtually any novel I've ever read. It's moving, symbolic, real, shocking.

Just finished this, it was an easy flowing style that didn't call for too much engagement from the reader so it only took me a day. Really liked it - such a dramatic matter presented in such a detached way. The most horrific events just put there in front of you with no greater emphasis than a description of what they ate for dinner.

The ending... wow. I found that so very disturbing.

I practically had an eating disorder by the time I finished reading Grapes of Wrath in college. I was convinced the entire time that I was just so hungry. Quite an emotional response to all the hunger throughout the book.

I, myself is a fan of Steinbeck, but his novels are heavy on the emotional side, I agree but they are still worth reading. I think I prefer "Of Mice and Men" over "Grapes of Wrath." Those who like "Of Mice and Men", check out this Russian short story, Mumu by Ivan Turgenev (the end is highly sensitive but Steinbeck's fans won't mind :)

I virtually love Steinbeck and I've finished "Grapes of wrath" about 4 days ago. It has very powerful characters and some very deep meanings. I usually find it hard to connect with characters, but not in this case.

Its been years since I read Grapes of Wrath but I still remember the powerful emotions that this book brought out. I've been rereading Steinbeck lately and will certain revisit this one as well. Absolutely love his writing.

This was assigned reading years ago when I was in high school and I was never able to get into the book then. I have never attempted to pick it up again.

The end of the book was interesting. I was surpised, yet happy, yet mad that she found that terrible man again.... I was kinda hoping he would never come back.

Camille wrote: "The end of the book was interesting. I was surpised, yet happy, yet mad that she found that terrible man again.... I was kinda hoping he would never come back."

Which terrible man again? I'm completely lost!

I just finished reading The Grapes of Wrath and I can't believe I never read it before. I feel like I've missed so much. It was such a great and comfortable read like someone else said earlier. The end threw me, but the rest of the book was so moving. Chapter 15 was my favorite with Mae and the little boys.

I am a strong proponent of re-reading books you hated in high school because I think being forced to read a book you lose something as well as the age you are, sometimes you miss the nuances you notice later in life. But to each their own.

Laura wrote: "Camille wrote: "The end of the book was interesting. I was surpised, yet happy, yet mad that she found that terrible man again.... I was kinda hoping he would never come back."

Which terrible man ..."

Agreed: which man? Are we talking about the same story?

Karena wrote: "I am a strong proponent of re-reading books you hated in high school because I think being forced to read a book you lose something as well as the age you are, sometimes you miss the nuances you notice later in life. "

Absolutely! I've found some of my best treasures by re-reading stuff that was mediocre or that I hated in high school. This was a gem then, but it's even better now! Brilliantly tragic, yet hopeful. I keep putting off East of Eden, but I have no idea why.