Grapes of Wrath

FrodoFriend · 04-10-2002, 01:00 AM

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!

I just read this book, and I have to say I haven't been this impressed with anything since "1984" and LotR itself. It's fantastic, I'm absolutely in love with it. Must read!!

The movie is great too. I can't express how much I love this book now. Just think LotR level!!

elf_princess · 04-10-2002, 08:31 PM

THIS IS MY FAVORITE BOOK EVER! I just thought I'd tell you that! I read this a long time ago... I read the whole thing in 2 and 1/2 days... it was great! I loved every part about it! It's good to hear that someone else loves it as much as I do!

FrodoFriend · 04-12-2002, 11:38 PM

Yayyy! Another fan! I couldn't put GofW down, literally!! It was absolutely spellbinding. Who's your favorite character? I like Casy and Tom, and then Al. The writing style is magnificent, too, not too fast or too slow, not too flowery or too plain. Just damn good writing.

**crickhollow** · 04-13-2002, 04:52 AM

I have to be in a certain mood for Steinbeck, though. He can be really depressing. Not just your normal 'gee-that-ending-wasn't-as-happy-as-I'd-hoped-it-would-be depressing'. It's just downright hopeless. Such a bleak picture is hard for an optimist to take.

Having said that, I will agree that it is a good book. Just not one that I would read over and over.

elf_princess · 04-13-2002, 10:57 AM

I really have a bunch of different favorite characters... but mainly I liked Tom, Ma, and Rose of Sharon.

Crickhollow... I agree that Steinback's writings can be a little depressing, but the grapes of wrath portrays a time period very well (at least I think so). It was a depressing and bleak situation and it would be hard to sugar coat it.

FrodoFriend · 04-13-2002, 02:29 PM

I don't know, I didn't find it all that depressing. But then, I read GofW right after The Jungle, so comparatively it's a rosy and hopeful story.

elf_princess · 04-13-2002, 05:29 PM

I didn't think it was that depressing either... it was sad at parts but other parts were full of hope. A great balance!!! So what did you think about the ending?

FrodoFriend · 04-14-2002, 01:50 PM

I couldn't believe it just ended right there! I want to know about what Tom did, and whether he succeeded. But I guess if it has to end there, it was a well-done ending. The message of mutual aid and working together closes the book nicely. I still didn't want it to be over though . . .

elf_princess · 04-14-2002, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FrodoFriend
I couldn't believe it just ended right there! I want to know about what Tom did, and whether he succeeded. But I guess if it has to end there, it was a well-done ending. The message of mutual aid and working together closes the book nicely. I still didn't want it to be over though . . .

I know! I was a little upset... I kept telling myself "I can't believe it just ended right there... what happend??" It kind of left me hanging a bit. But that might have been what Steinback wanted to happen. It does show a sense of cooperation and kindness I guess. After I finished it I just sat there looking at the cover. I really didn't want it to be over either!!!

FrodoFriend · 04-15-2002, 12:49 AM

I know, the ending's always the worst part of a book!

What's your favorite part? I like the part when Tom comes home and surprises the whole family, and when they're all sitting in the river before crossing the desert to California.

elf_princess · 04-15-2002, 10:09 PM

Let's see... favorite part... I like the part where they are sitting in the river too. I also like at the very beginning whenever Tom is reunited with his family. I like most all parts... except the end... lol

FrodoFriend · 04-16-2002, 09:14 PM

Yeah, ditto. And I love the extra chapters, that don't have to do with the Joads directly but talk about everything that's generally going on. It's a lovely, lovely style of writing.

Finmandos12 · 05-09-2002, 10:45 AM

I hated it! It was a socialist rant against the stereotypical evil capitalist bankers. "The poor hard-working farmers oppressed by the cruel, heartless rich." Sounds like Marx.

sun-star · 05-24-2002, 01:14 PM

I just finished this book, and now I understand what you all like about it. I love it! It's wonderful, I couldn't put it down for a week. I don't think it was a rant, although it's obviously communicating a social message. The characters were so well-drawn, and I could picture everything so clearly from the descriptions. I could go on about ti all day, but I'll stop now. Maybe I'll go read it again

Eruviel Greenleaf · 05-25-2002, 03:01 AM

I am sorry to say, I really hated that book. But, it was NOT a 'socialist rant.' It truthfully portrayed an era of history as it actually happened, from the perspective of the people that really suffered from the Depression. I didn't like it for different reasons. . .

Eldanuumea · 05-27-2002, 11:03 PM

The "intercalary" chapters are what make the book so unique. My favorite is the chapter which contains the phrasing from which the title comes....the chapter about the farmers pouring gasoline all over discarded excess fruit rather than flood the market and lower the prices. I used to read this aloud to my English classes and could never get through it without crying.

FrodoFriend · 05-28-2002, 01:27 AM

What's wrong with socialism?

So why didn't you like it, Eruviel?

Eruviel Greenleaf · 05-28-2002, 01:55 AM

I didn't like it because I thought it was way too long and drawn out for that kind of book, and because I had to write essays about it

And I didn't quite agree with his whole take on agape. I think it's a great book, I just didn't enjoy it.

Socialism. . .don't get me started. Might cause a flame war

FrodoFriend · 05-31-2002, 04:32 AM

Hmm. Very well, I'll take my Marxist ideas somewhere else.

Eldanuumea · 05-31-2002, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by FrodoFriend
Hmm. Very well, I'll take my Marxist ideas somewhere else.

Did you find that Steinbeck was expressing Marxist ideas? What about the eastern mysticism?

04-10-2002, 01:00 AM	#1
FrodoFriend Halfwitted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eryn Vorn Posts: 1,659	Grapes of Wrath LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!! I just read this book, and I have to say I haven't been this impressed with anything since "1984" and LotR itself. It's fantastic, I'm absolutely in love with it. Must read!! The movie is great too. I can't express how much I love this book now. Just think LotR level!! __________________ Fingolfin lives! ... in my finger! The Crossroads of Arda - Warning. Halfwit content. Not appropriate for people with IQ of over 18. The Fellowship of the Message Board Nyáréonié - The Tale of Tears

04-12-2002, 11:38 PM	#3
FrodoFriend Halfwitted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eryn Vorn Posts: 1,659	Yayyy! Another fan! I couldn't put GofW down, literally!! It was absolutely spellbinding. Who's your favorite character? I like Casy and Tom, and then Al. The writing style is magnificent, too, not too fast or too slow, not too flowery or too plain. Just damn good writing. __________________ Fingolfin lives! ... in my finger! The Crossroads of Arda - Warning. Halfwit content. Not appropriate for people with IQ of over 18. The Fellowship of the Message Board Nyáréonié - The Tale of Tears

04-13-2002, 04:52 AM	#4
crickhollow The Buckleberry Fairy/Captain Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Washington State again (I miss Texas). Posts: 1,345	I have to be in a certain mood for Steinbeck, though. He can be really depressing. Not just your normal 'gee-that-ending-wasn't-as-happy-as-I'd-hoped-it-would-be depressing'. It's just downright hopeless. Such a bleak picture is hard for an optimist to take. Having said that, I will agree that it is a good book. Just not one that I would read over and over. __________________ A day will come at last when I Shall take the hidden paths that run West of the Moon, East of the Sun.

04-13-2002, 02:29 PM	#6
FrodoFriend Halfwitted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eryn Vorn Posts: 1,659	I don't know, I didn't find it all that depressing. But then, I read GofW right after The Jungle, so comparatively it's a rosy and hopeful story. __________________ Fingolfin lives! ... in my finger! The Crossroads of Arda - Warning. Halfwit content. Not appropriate for people with IQ of over 18. The Fellowship of the Message Board Nyáréonié - The Tale of Tears

04-14-2002, 01:50 PM	#8
FrodoFriend Halfwitted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eryn Vorn Posts: 1,659	I couldn't believe it just ended right there! I want to know about what Tom did, and whether he succeeded. But I guess if it has to end there, it was a well-done ending. The message of mutual aid and working together closes the book nicely. I still didn't want it to be over though . . . __________________ Fingolfin lives! ... in my finger! The Crossroads of Arda - Warning. Halfwit content. Not appropriate for people with IQ of over 18. The Fellowship of the Message Board Nyáréonié - The Tale of Tears

04-10-2002, 08:31 PM	#2
elf_princess Elven Warrior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: la dee da Posts: 275	THIS IS MY FAVORITE BOOK EVER! I just thought I'd tell you that! I read this a long time ago... I read the whole thing in 2 and 1/2 days... it was great! I loved every part about it! It's good to hear that someone else loves it as much as I do!

04-13-2002, 10:57 AM	#5
elf_princess Elven Warrior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: la dee da Posts: 275	I really have a bunch of different favorite characters... but mainly I liked Tom, Ma, and Rose of Sharon. Crickhollow... I agree that Steinback's writings can be a little depressing, but the grapes of wrath portrays a time period very well (at least I think so). It was a depressing and bleak situation and it would be hard to sugar coat it.

04-13-2002, 05:29 PM	#7
elf_princess Elven Warrior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: la dee da Posts: 275	I didn't think it was that depressing either... it was sad at parts but other parts were full of hope. A great balance!!! So what did you think about the ending?

04-15-2002, 12:49 AM	#10
FrodoFriend Halfwitted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eryn Vorn Posts: 1,659	I know, the ending's always the worst part of a book! What's your favorite part? I like the part when Tom comes home and surprises the whole family, and when they're all sitting in the river before crossing the desert to California. __________________ Fingolfin lives! ... in my finger! The Crossroads of Arda - Warning. Halfwit content. Not appropriate for people with IQ of over 18. The Fellowship of the Message Board Nyáréonié - The Tale of Tears

04-15-2002, 10:09 PM	#11
elf_princess Elven Warrior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: la dee da Posts: 275	Let's see... favorite part... I like the part where they are sitting in the river too. I also like at the very beginning whenever Tom is reunited with his family. I like most all parts... except the end... lol

04-16-2002, 09:14 PM	#12
FrodoFriend Halfwitted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eryn Vorn Posts: 1,659	Yeah, ditto. And I love the extra chapters, that don't have to do with the Joads directly but talk about everything that's generally going on. It's a lovely, lovely style of writing. __________________ Fingolfin lives! ... in my finger! The Crossroads of Arda - Warning. Halfwit content. Not appropriate for people with IQ of over 18. The Fellowship of the Message Board Nyáréonié - The Tale of Tears

05-09-2002, 10:45 AM	#13
Finmandos12 Elven Warrior Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Tampa Posts: 327	I hated it! It was a socialist rant against the stereotypical evil capitalist bankers. "The poor hard-working farmers oppressed by the cruel, heartless rich." Sounds like Marx. __________________ The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

05-24-2002, 01:14 PM	#14
sun-star Lady of Letters Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Either Oxford or Kent, England Posts: 2,476	I just finished this book, and now I understand what you all like about it. I love it! It's wonderful, I couldn't put it down for a week. I don't think it was a rant, although it's obviously communicating a social message. The characters were so well-drawn, and I could picture everything so clearly from the descriptions. I could go on about ti all day, but I'll stop now. Maybe I'll go read it again __________________ And all the time the waves, the waves, the waves Chase, intersect and flatten on the sand As they have done for centuries, as they will For centuries to come, when not a soul Is left to picnic on the blazing rocks, When England is not England, when mankind Has blown himself to pieces. Still the sea, Consolingly disastrous, will return While the strange starfish, hugely magnified, Waits in the jewelled basin of a pool.

05-25-2002, 03:01 AM	#15
Eruviel Greenleaf Alcoholic Villain-Fancying Elf Pirate Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Lyonesse Posts: 4,547	I am sorry to say, I really hated that book. But, it was NOT a 'socialist rant.' It truthfully portrayed an era of history as it actually happened, from the perspective of the people that really suffered from the Depression. I didn't like it for different reasons. . . __________________ Eruviel Greenleaf in a past life. "Whoever has come to understand the world has found only a corpse, and whoever has found a corpse is superior to the world." -The Gospel of Thomas SQUAWK!

05-27-2002, 11:03 PM	#16
Eldanuumea Elven Warrior Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 123	The "intercalary" chapters are what make the book so unique. My favorite is the chapter which contains the phrasing from which the title comes....the chapter about the farmers pouring gasoline all over discarded excess fruit rather than flood the market and lower the prices. I used to read this aloud to my English classes and could never get through it without crying. __________________ "Queen of Sweetness and Light!" - Mordomin

05-28-2002, 01:27 AM	#17
FrodoFriend Halfwitted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eryn Vorn Posts: 1,659	What's wrong with socialism? So why didn't you like it, Eruviel? __________________ Fingolfin lives! ... in my finger! The Crossroads of Arda - Warning. Halfwit content. Not appropriate for people with IQ of over 18. The Fellowship of the Message Board Nyáréonié - The Tale of Tears

05-28-2002, 01:55 AM	#18
Eruviel Greenleaf Alcoholic Villain-Fancying Elf Pirate Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Lyonesse Posts: 4,547	I didn't like it because I thought it was way too long and drawn out for that kind of book, and because I had to write essays about it And I didn't quite agree with his whole take on agape. I think it's a great book, I just didn't enjoy it. Socialism. . .don't get me started. Might cause a flame war __________________ Eruviel Greenleaf in a past life. "Whoever has come to understand the world has found only a corpse, and whoever has found a corpse is superior to the world." -The Gospel of Thomas SQUAWK!

05-31-2002, 04:32 AM	#19
FrodoFriend Halfwitted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eryn Vorn Posts: 1,659	Hmm. Very well, I'll take my Marxist ideas somewhere else. __________________ Fingolfin lives! ... in my finger! The Crossroads of Arda - Warning. Halfwit content. Not appropriate for people with IQ of over 18. The Fellowship of the Message Board Nyáréonié - The Tale of Tears

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