Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck — 2023

Introducing Little Clothbound Classics: irresistible, mini editions of short stories, novellas and essays from the world's greatest writers, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith. Celebrating the range and diversity of Penguin Classics, they take us from snowy Japan to springtime Vienna, from haunted New England to a sun-drenched Mediterranean island, and from a game of chess on the ocean to a love story on the moon. Beautifully designed and printed, these collectible editions are bound in colourful, tactile cloth and stamped with foil. Drifters in search of work, George and his childlike friend Lennie have nothing in the world except the clothes on their back - and a dream that one day they will have some land of their own. Eventually they find work on a ranch in California's Salinas Valley, but their hopes are dashed as Lennie becomes a victim of his own strength. Tackling universal themes of friendship and shared vision, and giving a voice to America's lonely and dispossessed, Of Mice and Men remains Steinbeck's most popular work, achieving success as a novel, Broadway play and three acclaimed films. 'Such a perfect book' - Nick Hornby

Reviews

Liam Richardson@liamactuallyreads

Mar 2, 2024

This is a heartbreaking story. Very quickly you know how the story will end, it doesn't tell you but you know. Perhaps this is because I'm late to this book, most of my peers studied it at school, perhaps if you've no exposure to it then you can't see the ending.

God is it good though. Steinbeck does a great job of writing people, they're so human, in such a short story you are so connected to these characters. He does this so well, because apart from a standout section going into a lot of detail on what Crooks looks like, the characters are not over described - you learn who they are from their conversations and their thoughts when we get the chance to hear them.

I will definitely re-read this, I am sure there is so much to extrapolate from this book.

Simona@unereveuse

Jun 11, 2024

This book appears on the shelf read-2019

Barbora Polívková@barupoli