When I think back to the first time I read Steinbeck I remember not liking
it that much. This was probably because I was in grade 8 and we were reading
The Pearl for an assignment. I can't remember the novel that well, but I can
remember being overcome by a repellent feeling that I had while reading it.
Ten years later and I had that same repellent feeling
while reading Of Mice and Men, but this time I was able to identify what this
feeling meant. I think Steinbeck enlisted in me a range of emotions that I do
not always want to deal with on a day to day basis. It's hard to face the idea
of good people doing bad things, or the innocent being tormented by the more intelligent.
As an animal lover I couldn't help but see the connection between Lennie and
the animals that he wants to pet, and this tore at my heart. I think Steinbeck
is a wonderful author who touches on themes in only 100 pages that other
authors aren't able to hint at their whole lives (and not for a lack of
trying).
Up next: Catch 22
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