Comments on: “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1479 Reading, Writing, Movies and Mothering in Minneapolis, Mostly Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:37:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: girldetective http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1479&cpage=1#comment-14043 girldetective Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:30:58 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1479#comment-14043 Echohead, two apologies. One, my phrase "a more experienced reader" was meant in contrast to the sentence preceding it, and referred to myself only, as a younger reader. If that was unclear, I apologize. Two, this review is my experience of the novel. It _is_ my humble opinion, though if you read it as grandiose, again, I apologize. That was not my intention. My experience of the book was positive and negative. I referred to and linked to the opinions of others to provide context. You, and others including the Pulitzer committee, consider it a masterpiece. While I found it moving and historically significant, I didn't find it a masterpiece. To each her own. Echohead, two apologies. One, my phrase “a more experienced reader” was meant in contrast to the sentence preceding it, and referred to myself only, as a younger reader. If that was unclear, I apologize.

Two, this review is my experience of the novel. It _is_ my humble opinion, though if you read it as grandiose, again, I apologize. That was not my intention. My experience of the book was positive and negative. I referred to and linked to the opinions of others to provide context. You, and others including the Pulitzer committee, consider it a masterpiece. While I found it moving and historically significant, I didn’t find it a masterpiece. To each her own.

]]> By: echohead http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1479&cpage=1#comment-14039 echohead Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:24:24 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1479#comment-14039 The critics who maintain that this novel is didactic are, I would suggest, those who have been most affected by the book's portrayal of such distressing events. Maybe I could bend my instincts far enough to allow that none of the characters are fully developed, or even that the author's moral stance is a little too apparent, but to do so would be more than smug. This review is vapid, bordering on flatulent, and the reviewer's grandiose and cringeworthy pronouncement of their own status as 'a more experienced reader' should be enough to set off the flannel alert. The style and depth of characterisation in this work are perfectly melded to the deepest theme of the novel. Yes, in my HUMBLE opinion, 'The Grapes of Wrath' is a masterpiece. The critics who maintain that this novel is didactic are, I would suggest, those who have been most affected by the book’s portrayal of such distressing events. Maybe I could bend my instincts far enough to allow that none of the characters are fully developed, or even that the author’s moral stance is a little too apparent, but to do so would be more than smug. This review is vapid, bordering on flatulent, and the reviewer’s grandiose and cringeworthy pronouncement of their own status as ‘a more experienced reader’ should be enough to set off the flannel alert.

The style and depth of characterisation in this work are perfectly melded to the deepest theme of the novel. Yes, in my HUMBLE opinion, ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ is a masterpiece.

]]> By: SmallWorld Reads http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1479&cpage=1#comment-12326 SmallWorld Reads Sat, 14 Jun 2008 13:56:02 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1479#comment-12326 One of my favorite books ever. I have been thrilled this past month as my 15-year-old has been consuming Steinbeck. He loved Grapes of Wrath, and I hope he reads it again in 10 years and then another 10 years for great understanding! One of my favorite books ever. I have been thrilled this past month as my 15-year-old has been consuming Steinbeck. He loved Grapes of Wrath, and I hope he reads it again in 10 years and then another 10 years for great understanding!

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