Book - The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck

Was my favourite character Tom or Casy?

Despite being a reluctant consumer, I have allowed myself the reading of books as a legitimate use of time. In particular books which could either be considered 'classics' or contribute to my understanding of a subject.

I came to know of Steinbeck by accident, I was gifted East of Eden when the original recipient was no longer able to make best use of the book and so it ended up in my hands. I immediately fell in love with Steinbecks style of writing, it is seemingly known as realism, but particularly 'american realism'.

I had already claimed, at that point, an appreciation for american literature and being immersed in the story of californian settlers with its biblical analogies proved a great experience. The Grapes of Wrath delivers similarly in scale and in capturing a momentous moment in american history. It has certainly prompted a growing interest in the US in the early 20th century.

Real 'Okies' going West: cars hacked into trucks and loaded high.

The book weaves the story of a single large family, making their way west in search of work and in escape from the dust bowl of middle america, with short expositions on the general experience of migrants going to California during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Interesting fact is that Steinbeck wrote his first draft over some 190 days, day after day, aiming for 2000 words a day. Following that first draft he only then added 2 paragraphs and removed one other; quite the aceivement of prose!