A controversial tale of friendship and tragedy during the Great Depression They are an unlikely pair: George is "small and quick and dark of face"; Lennie, a man of tremendous size, has the mind of a young child. Yet they have formed a "family," clinging together in the face of loneliness and alienation. Laborers in California's dusty vegetable fields, they hustle work when they can, living a hand-to-mouth existence. For George and Lennie have a plan: to own an acre of land and a shack they can call their own. When they land jobs on a ranch in the Salinas Valley, the fulfillment of their dream seems to be within their grasp. But even George cannot guard Lennie from the provocations of a flirtatious woman, nor predict the consequences of Lennie's unswerving obedience to the things George taught him. "A thriller, a gripping tale . . . that you will not set down until it is finished. Steinbeck has touched the quick." —The New York Times
John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck was an American author known for his realistic and socially conscious novels depicting the struggles of the working class during the Great Depression. His most notable works include "The Grapes of Wrath," which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1940, and "Of Mice and Men," a novella exploring the lives of migrant workers in California. Steinbeck's writing style is characterized by its simple language, vivid descriptions, and deep empathy for his characters. He made significant contributions to literature by shining a light on the hardships faced by ordinary people and advocating for social justice. "The Grapes of Wrath" is considered his most famous work and remains a classic of American literature. Steinbeck's impact on the literary genre of social realism is enduring, as his works continue to resonate with readers today.