I just finishes Of Mice and Men!

Submitted by VravoBince t3_10p9na3 in books

What a book.

It's kind of weird: The plot wholly depends on a guy being dumb but it still works. It's written so well you just can't stop! I thought George is actually gonna stay with Lennie but damn, the last few pages are heart wrenching...

What did you like about it and why do you think it works so well? Also, am I right in thinking the old dog that got shot resembles Lennie?

It's the first book I've read by Steinbeck, now I know I'm gonna read more

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need4treefiddy t1_j6jj3zm wrote

East of Eden is one of my favorite books. It's amazing.

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VravoBince OP t1_j6jo8lc wrote

I've heard that very often, I'll definitely read it

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belladonna_nectar t1_j6kcyeu wrote

I read many books in my life, but every time I have to think of one that is worth reading, East of Eden is the only one that pops up in my mind. Definitely read it and don't give up if the initial part seems a bit dense, your perseverance will be rewarded. It's definitely a literary gem, it humbled me and made me feel less lonely in this futile human experience, connected to people I'll never meet, but know that are kindred spirits. It's an ode to the beauty in us, despite all the ugliness. It's a book dear to my heart and I surely intend to re-read it and cherish it even more.

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damen65 t1_j6mse1h wrote

Just finished it a few weeks ago. It is also one of my favorite books.

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tomandshell t1_j6j5gpv wrote

Yes, the shooting of the old dog foreshadows Lennie's fate at the end. Remember that Candy says that he shouldn't have a let a stranger shoot his dog. He makes everything seem inevitable--I enjoyed it even more the second time, as there are so many things that point toward the conclusion.

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laserox t1_j6j8hks wrote

I had to read it at least twice for school, but I think it was one of the few books I was forced to read that I actually liked. We also had to watch the movie version with Gary Sinese and John Malkovich.

One year we did a unit on banned books and had to write an essay arguing why they shouldn't be banned. Apparently some schools banned Of Mice and Men because they thought it promoted a lazy, anti-work attitude.

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VravoBince OP t1_j6jbl3z wrote

Wow, that's interesting.

Would you recommend the movie?

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laserox t1_j6jbt0u wrote

Absolutely, no movie is ever quite as good as the book, but I thought that version was pretty good. Malkovich does a great job as Lenny.

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duckfat01 t1_j6mifru wrote

Seconding this recommendation. It's a really good adaptation!

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MrsMaiselsBrisket t1_j6mqzm1 wrote

That makes so little sense (but then, book bans rarely do). These guys are working incredibly hard in a world that has no place for them, all for a dream of having their own home/farm, which they will presumably also work hard on. I never saw either of them as particularly lazy.

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Vanrainy1 t1_j6jo2q9 wrote

Give Cannery Row or East of Eden a try, two of my favs..

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Eiltharnakrin t1_j6liiil wrote

Cannery Row is one of my favourite stories. Can we get a movie with George Clooney playing Mack?

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Yuzuxe t1_j6j3cy7 wrote

The book is so full of symbolism, check out some articles if youre interested. Red Pony is also a good one from Steinbeck.

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VravoBince OP t1_j6j3ycm wrote

I guess a lot flew over my head lol, I'll check some articles out. And thanks for the recommendation.

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plaidtattoos t1_j6jlvkm wrote

I'd recommend The Pearl by Steinbeck. It's the same length as Of Mice and Men but a different style. It's almost like a story being told and passed down, like a legend or a fable.

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DarthSamwiseAtreides t1_j6k14cp wrote

Welcome to Steinbeck. He's my favorite author.

I'm trying to get my mother to read and be more mentally active in retirement, so I got her Of Mice and Men.

On Saturday I get a call and she said "yes I'm crying don't give me anymore books". She liked it though. Might need to find something more cheerful for the next one.

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TheOracleArt t1_j6mjfe9 wrote

The only book my mum had ever enjoyed reading was "Little Women" (she's in her 70s btw). I think that she was genuinely put off from reading when she was at school because of the book choices. Anyway, one holiday I had "Of Mice and Men" with me and was reading it. We're at a pool and there's nothing to do (this was before mobile phones) so she picks up the book and figures why not? Cue my mum sobbing next to the pool and then being utterly devastated at dinner that night. "Why couldn't he just take Lenny and run?" She prefers sudoku for her relaxing time now.

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Rik78 t1_j6jlwoe wrote

" I can still tend the rabbits, George?"

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Daihatschi t1_j6jif8v wrote

I was fascinated by how visceral I felt for the characters when they were talking about nothing but ketchup and lennie getting angry at imaginary people harming imaginary rabbits.

I don't know what it is in the writing. But I was for a few moments completely immersed.

So far its my only Steinbeck because I'm kind of afraid to read another one. They sound emotionally exhausting.

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ChooChooTreyn t1_j6jkyyc wrote

When you're ready, read Grapes of Wrath. I'm just some random guy, but it's the best book I've ever read. I was like you after Grapes of Wrath about 18 months ago, not wanting to read another Steinbeck in fear of it not living up to GoW, but just finished Of Mice and Men earlier this month and it was absolutely worth it. The man knows how to write a compelling story.

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cfcnotbummer t1_j6j5wm2 wrote

I have not read it in years, but I absolutely Fuckin hate the bastard with the Vaseline glove hand combo

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TheOracleArt t1_j6mjlq3 wrote

I often wonder if Stephen King got his inspiration for Percy from the Green Mile from that guy. They're really similar and trigger that same visceral hate.

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Internal-Reception14 t1_j6jiry8 wrote

I just finished grapes of wrath on audiobook and I thought it was phenomenal. It was only my second Steinbeck after mice and men. The narrator (Dylan baker) was also excellent.

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absurdactuality t1_j6jwc2r wrote

read this book in school. It was a pleasant read, couldn't tell you why though.

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zguyny t1_j6k7qtg wrote

This was my favorite book from high school. There is a movie version from 1939 with Burgess Meredith & Lon Chaney Jr. That was good as well.

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duckfat01 t1_j6mj856 wrote

Check out the version that was made in 1992 with Gary Sinise and John Malkovitch. It's a very good adaption, and I use it to lure non-readers to Steinbeck.

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Amazing-Substance-13 t1_j6kbbhz wrote

It was so good the symbolism, the dream that never was. I kept wishing they manage to run away and get to live in a house of their own.

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uhasnolifes t1_j6kd80j wrote

read it while camping the ending nearly made me cry

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noheckin t1_j6klr2j wrote

I cried my eyes out when I read it in high school and still get teary if I think about it long enough.

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Anonymouse350418 t1_j6l9jw8 wrote

Same here in my ELA class. I honesty thought there wws more to it then that cliffhanger ending.

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Two_Hearted_Winter t1_j6k4twh wrote

The winter of our discontent is one of my favorites by Steinbeck. Very different than of mice and men

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