I’ve read a few of John Steinbeck’s books. You’d think I would’ve read more, considering he’s one of my favorite authors. But maybe that’s because, unlike my wife, I don’t mind repeats. I’ve read The Grapes of Wrath three times, and since that’s his best book, I don’t see why not.
I read East of Eden a year or so ago, and I liked that one plenty. Travels With Charley a couple of times. Gary Sinise does an audiobook version. I love Gary Sinise. Audio book voice though? Not at all. Still, I love road trip books. Jack Kerouac to some extent, and Bill Bryson wrote one called The Lost Continent that’s worth mention. I’ve just got that wanderlust kind of feeling sometimes. You can see it in my bike rides. I aim for small towns. So Travels With Charley works for me, even if Gary Sinise is reading it.
I lived in Monterey for more than six years of my life, so I know a lot of the area about which Steinbeck writes. Of course I’ve known Cannery Row quite well…and reading the book was interesting, although the row I knew was nothing like the one Steinbeck did. And I’ve picked up another Monterey book now — Tortilla Flat — but that Monterey is even farther away from mine than the one of Cannery Row. The book’s a bit meandering so far. Comedic characters with few cares beyond where the next jug of wine comes from and how they can relieve as many people as possible of their property. It’s an interesting perspective, and maybe the book will catch on with me as I get through it.
But it’s going to have to wait, because I picked it up while I was waiting for Of Mice and Men to pop up in Libby, and it did when I was only 39% (thanks, Kindle) of the way through it.
I’ve heard of Of Mice and Men — and not just because I watched Saturday morning cartoons. I know that although it’s much shorter, it’s certainly a more weighty book than Tortilla Flat. And that’s what I’m looking for in Steinbeck right now. Something more engaging. Ironically, Gary Sinise must love John Steinbeck, because in addition to reading Travels With Charley, he produced and starred in a 1992 Of Mice and Men movie. Meh. Movies are seldom better than the book. Unless they’re about sharks...
So here we go. Maybe I’ll report back later. Or maybe I’ll lose interest. I’ve been flying through books lately…and not finishing them all. But I promise I’ll get back to Tortilla Flat too.