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The 13 Best John Steinbeck Books

The 15 Best John Steinbeck Books Everyone Should Read | Reedsy Discovery

In the tail end of the 1800s, Samuel Hamilton migrates to Salinas Valley, California, along with his wife, Liza. Despite Samuel's hard work, the family does not amass wealth but gains respect amongst the locals. Meanwhile, Adam Trask relocates to the same valley with his wife, Cathy, who was once a prostitute and murderer, unbeknownst to Adam. Amid her hatred for Adam, Cathy sedates him on their wedding night to be with his half-brother, Charles. Cathy is desperate to escape her marital ties and attempts an unsuccessful abortion before ultimately birthing twin boys, Aron and Caleb. One day, she shoots Adam and flees to live her life as a prostitute, leaving Adam to raise their sons.

Cathy manipulates her way into running a local brothel, using it to exploit influential men. Adam, with the help of his housekeeper, Lee, and his friend Samuel, shields his sons from Cathy’s dark life. As the twins grow, they display distinct characteristics, with Aron taking after his father's kindness and Caleb showing signs of his mother’s manipulative nature. Struggling with his dark side, Caleb prays to be more like Aron. Samuel finally uncovers Cathy’s truth to Adam, which jolts him out of his years-long despondency. Following Samuel's death, Adam confronts Cathy in the brothel, finally able to leave her behind and focus on fatherhood. 

Aron, the more religious of the twins, withdraws from the world's corruption, while Adam loses their fortune on a failed business venture, leading Aron to leave for Stanford University. Caleb, however, teams up with Samuel’s son, Will, to earn back the lost fortune through a sketchy business scheme, hoping to pay Aron's tuition. When Adam refuses the money, Caleb tells Aron about their mother's dark past, leading Aron to join the Army and Cathy to commit suicide, leaving her wealth to Aron. Following Aron's death in World War I, Adam has a stroke. On his deathbed, he whispers the word "timshel," giving his final blessing to a guilt-ridden Caleb, who starts a relationship with Aron’s former lover, Abra.

East of Eden

Al Este del Edén

After serving a four-year prison sentence for manslaughter, Tom Joad returns to his family's Oklahoma farm accompanied by Jim Casy, a disenchanted former preacher. They find the farm and neighboring properties deserted, as many have been forced off their land. A wandering neighbor informs them that most, including his family, have migrated to California in search of work. After meeting with his family at his Uncle John's place, who are preparing to depart, Tom joins them in their quest for a better life in California, inspired by advertisements for fruit-picking jobs.

The journey to California is fraught with hardship and death, as the aging Grampa Joad passes away en route. The highways are flooded with families seeking the same refuge in California. The Joads extend their kinship to a couple they meet on the road, Ivy and Sairy Wilson, who are plagued with car troubles. As they approach California, they hear unsettling rumors of a saturated job market and are met with tragedy as Granma Joad passes away. Their initial time in California is a futile search for work, as family members leave and tensions rise. 

The Joads face rampant hostility in California, where the camps are overcrowded with starving migrants and locals who look down on the influx of "Okies." Work is scarce and low-paying, making it hard to afford even a decent meal. While in a camp known as "Hooverville," an argument with a deputy sheriff leads to a violent altercation and the subsequent arrest of Jim Casy. Later, they find limited work picking fruit, only to realize they're scabs undermining a workers' strike. When the police kill Casy, who has been organizing workers, Tom retaliates, killing a police officer. Forced into hiding, Tom resolves to continue Casy's work in organizing the workers. Despite the harsh conditions, the Joad family demonstrates resilience and profound humanity, as seen when Rose of Sharon, who recently gave birth to a stillborn, offers her milk to a starving man.


The Grapes of Wrath

Las Uvas de la Ira

George and Lennie, contrasting in physique and intellect, are migrant laborers en route to a farm in California for employment. Lennie, a large man with the mind of a child, is devoted to George, who acts as his protector and guide. Troubled by Lennie's tendency to pet soft things too roughly, often causing their accidental death, George takes away a dead mouse he was carrying. Despite sometimes expressing that his life would be smoother without Lennie, their bond of friendship is palpable. They nurture a shared dream of owning a piece of land and raising rabbits, a concept that brings immense joy to Lennie.

Upon reaching the ranch, they encounter various individuals including Candy, an aged handyman with a decrepit dog, and Curley, the boss's antagonistic son with a flirtatious wife. Fearful of their reactions towards Lennie, George concocts a story of them being cousins and takes the lead in conversations. When Curley's wife attempts to flirt with Lennie, George warns him to maintain distance. The other workers, especially Slim, the respected mule driver, find the deep friendship between George and Lennie intriguing. Slim's newborn puppies spark an idea to replace Candy's old dog, which is seen as useless.

The reality of their bond is revealed when George confides in Slim that they aren't cousins but childhood friends. He narrates their past troubles due to Lennie's innocent yet destructive actions. In the meantime, Candy overhears their dream of buying land and offers to contribute his savings to be a part of it. This pact remains a secret among the trio. When Curley, driven by suspicion and anger, fights with Lennie, his hand is crushed, making him a laughingstock. One evening, Lennie inadvertently kills his puppy and then, Curley's wife, leading him to flee to a pre-designated meeting spot by the river. George meets Lennie there and amidst recounting their shared dream, shoots him in the back of the head as a lynch mob approaches. Their secret dies with Lennie, as George lets the others believe that Lennie had the gun first. Only Slim understands the true nature of George's act - a mercy killing, leaving the others puzzled as they leave.

Of Mice and Men

De ratones y hombres

Cannery Row, Book 1

La calle de la sardina, Libro 1

The narrative is set in the canning district of Monterey, California, a locale marked by its eclectic mix of inhabitants. This group ranges from the less fortunate to those who opt out of residing in the town's more esteemed quarters for varied reasons. Instead of following a traditional plot, the book primarily focuses on capturing the essence of this unique community. It's peppered with brief, poignant tales about the community members, some of whom aren't directly related to the main storyline. These tales often touch on harsh realities, including suicide, death, and the brutality of nature.

Central to the narrative is the escapades of Mack and his gang - an unemployed yet ingenious crew residing in an old fish-meal shack bordering a barren plot within the district. Their desire is to express their gratitude to Doc, an intellectual, kind-hearted man who runs a biological supply house in the district and is a friend and caregiver to all. Despite his warm demeanor, Doc often appears melancholic. Their grand plan is to throw him a party, a mission that results in both the enrichment and irritation of Lee Chong, the district's grocer.

While Doc is away on a specimen-gathering trip, the group organizes the party in his combined lab and living space. However, Doc arrives late, finding his place in a mess and the party over. Following this disastrous event, a wave of misfortune, including an influenza outbreak, sweeps the area. However, fortunes begin to turn, and the district inhabitants start to witness some improvements. Thankful to Doc for treating their ill puppy, Mack and his gang resolve to throw another party for him. This time, they take advice from Dora, the local brothel owner, and put more thought into their planning and execution. The second party is a triumph, and the book closes with Doc tidying his home the morning after, immersed in thoughts about life.

Cannery Row

La calle de la sardina

In Search of America

En busca de América

Travels with Charley

Viajes con Charley

Tortilla Flat

To a God Unknown

A un Dios Desconocido

The Winter of Our Discontent

El Invierno de Nuestro Descontento

The Wayward Bus

El Autobús Rebelde

Kino, Juana and their baby son, Coyotito, reside in a humble waterfront home. Disaster befalls when Coyotito is stung by a scorpion. They rush to the town doctor in panic, but are denied treatment due to their inability to pay. Later, the couple goes pearl diving to make ends meet, during which Kino finds an enormous pearl. The entire community gathers to celebrate the discovery while Kino envisages how the wealth will transform his family’s life. Eventually, the doctor appears at Kino’s doorstep claiming to have been unavailable earlier, offering to treat Coyotito now. After the doctor’s visit, Kino hides the pearl beneath the hut flooring. This alludes to the doctor, instilling a feeling of unease in Kino.

A tense situation develops when an intruder tries to steal the hidden pearl, leaving Kino injured during the encounter. Juana, shaken by this incident, insists on getting rid of the pearl, viewing it as a harbinger of misfortune. Ignoring her pleas, Kino plans to sell the pearl in the city the following day. His brother cautions him about deceitful buyers, a warning that proves to be accurate when all the buyers try to underbid on the pearl. Kino declines their offers and plans to sell it in the capital instead. During the night, Juana attempts to discard the pearl into the sea, leading to a violent altercation where Kino overpowers her and repossesses the pearl. He then faces a group of attackers trying to seize the pearl, which results in a fight that leaves a man dead.

After this bloody confrontation, Kino and Juana decide to flee town. Upon their return home, they find their house burnt down. They seek refuge at Kino’s brother’s house while planning their escape to the capital at night. They realize they are being tracked and lead the trackers astray by going up a mountain. As the trackers camp for the night, Kino seizes the chance to attack them but is foiled when Coyotito cries and draws their attention. A rifle shot from one of the trackers kills Coyotito. The grief-stricken parents return to town the next day, with Juana carrying her deceased son. At the shore, Kino throws the pearl back into the sea, symbolizing the end of their tribulations.

15 Best John Steinbeck Books of All Time

East of Eden

The Grapes of Wrath

Of Mice and Men

Cannery Row

Cannery Row, Book 1

Travels with Charley

In Search of America

Tortilla Flat

To a God Unknown

The Winter of Our Discontent

The Wayward Bus

The Pearl

The Pastures of Heaven

The Moon is Down

Sweet Thursday

Cannery Row, Book 2

Sea of Cortez

A Leisurely Journal of Travel and Research

In Dubious Battle

Sources

What To Read Next

15 Best John Steinbeck Books of All Time

East of Eden

The Grapes of Wrath

Of Mice and Men

Cannery Row

Cannery Row, Book 1

Travels with Charley

In Search of America

Tortilla Flat

To a God Unknown

The Winter of Our Discontent

The Wayward Bus

The Pearl

The Pastures of Heaven

The Moon is Down

Sweet Thursday

Cannery Row, Book 2

Sea of Cortez

A Leisurely Journal of Travel and Research

In Dubious Battle

Sources

What To Read Next

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