The book is what made me join this sub reddit. I like seeing others interpretations on this book. It thought it was overall a good read/ listen. John Steinbeck is like listening to your grandfather tell a story. He spends so much time talking about the Salinas scenery. That almost drew me away from the book, but I’m glad I stuck it out.

I’m very intrigued by Adam especially. Although it’s a Cain and Abel type story, I was pleasantly surprised at how much it went into Adam’s flaws. As easy as it is to call out Cyrus, Charles, Cal and Cathy for their wrongs, Adam’s mistakes also had profound consequences.

He had many opportunities to increase his wealth and influence, but didn’t take them. He was not industrious whatsoever. It’s also seemed like he wasn’t thinking about a legacy for his family. Shortsighted! That’s the word. One bad decision nearly wiped him out financially as a result.

Adam ignored the evil in Cathy which resulted in him being shot and brokenhearted and unable to be an adequate father to their children. He then made the fatal mistake of lying about Cathy being dead. This helped to set in motion the death of Aron and the death of himself by extension. I’d say Cathy as well, but she was already borderline.

I don’t think Adam was a bad character. He made a lot of terrible decisions. It warmed my heart that the last decision he ever made was probably the best one.

I’d like to know your thoughts

Edit: spelling

  • fediverserEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

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  • KungFuJoe23BEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I love Steinbeck. Have read Grapes of Wrath many times. Of Mice And Men is amazing. Even his relatively simple (in comparison) story, The Red Pony, was absolutely memorable. His characters seem the most “real” to me of any author I’ve ever read.

    That being said, this book confused me. I get the Bible allegory/references. I don’t understand what he was trying to get at with this book outside of that. I feel like he kinda lost direction about halfway through and wasn’t sure where to take the book or end it.

    The first half was mesmerizing. I was hooked. I wanted to know more about each and every character. I knew they would all come together at some point and I couldn’t wait for it. But right around the point where >!Samuel dies!< the characters start to act in completely irrational (for them) ways. Their motivations seem to get thrown out the window. They do things that just don’t plain make any sense.

    I really disliked the way >!Adam’s sons are portrayed and pretty much every single action they take!<. I understand that >!Aron was supposed to be Abel and Cal was Cain!< but it just seemed so loose and I couldn’t understand Steinbeck’s purpose behind it all.

    And if we take the Bible stance more literally, that means >!Cathy was Eve and she was just pure sin. Literally born of sin just because. Which definitely didn’t sit well with me. And I guess Adam is also God because of his Timshel! outburst at the end. But what kind of God was he? An absent one? Because she most certainly didn’t love his sons until Sam slapped some sense into him literally.!<

    And the way >!Cathy just offs herself like that, after seeing Aron. That was the last straw? Because he was so pure? He was anything but. He was just a dumb kid and treated Abra horribly. And don’t get me started on Abra. Literally the moment she finds out Aron is dead she hooks into Cal.!< I get that it’s a product of its time but it was just completely absurd. While I get the connections trying to be made I felt they were done in a very sloppy/lazy way.

    I hate to say it because I have always loved Steinbeck’s characters even when I hated them. But with this book, I really disliked pretty much every character except Samuel and Liza among the main ones. Even Lee who was too >!virtuous!<.

    I’m open to anyone helping me understand this book better. I really hope I just missed something that would put everything in place because I really feel disappointed after reading it.