Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck

Over seventy-five years since its first publication, Steinbeck’s tale of commitment, loneliness, hope, and loss remains one of America’s most widely read and taught novels.

An unlikely pair, George and Lennie, two migrant workers in California during the Great Depression, grasp for their American Dream. They hustle work when they can, living a hand-to-mouth existence. For George and Lennie have a plan: to own an acre of land and a shack they can call their own.

When they land jobs on a ranch in the Salinas Valley, the fulfillment of their dream seems to be within their grasp. But even George cannot guard Lennie from the provocations, nor predict the consequences of Lennie's unswerving obedience to the things George taught him. (link)

Review: 4/5

This review is dedicated to Ms. Caryn Collette, my 9th grade English teacher. Ms. Collette read a few pages of this book at the beginning of class every day, and before my exposure to Of Mice and Men, I was a proud “romance only” reader. (Hey, at least I was reading!) Caryn being such an animated and invested narrator for this book and “forcing” it on my class made me realize the potential I had to expand my literature tastes. Did I realize this when it was happening 8 years ago? Hell no; but I realized it this last year, and that’s what matters.

This book made me realize that there could be so much more to a story than one romantic plot line; there could be character development, background that’s imperative to the story-telling, and twists and turns that are SO human, you forget you’re reading fiction. I remember my initial thought when Caryn read Lennie is mercy-killed by George; “That can happen?? There can be unhappy endings?” I remember my initial shock, disbelief, and especially anger, before understanding and diving into George’s reasoning. I think this is where I started to understand empathy in story-telling. I’ll never forget that feeling.

Yes, I had read Hunger Games and Divergent before I was introduced to this book, but death and dystopia were ALLL the rage back when I was in middle school. I wasn’t familiar with realistic fiction and the heartbreak that can come from it. I especially wasn’t familiar with the attachment I formed to the characters in this book as a upper-middle class girl who never struggled or had to look for a job. It was the first time I felt I cared so much about the characters and I was truly heartbroken for the death that happened. No matter how justified I believe it is, that pang of hurt will never leave when I revisit the theme of innocence being taken advantage of and abused, and finally put out of misery.

As classic as this book is, I will NEVER be over it! It’s hard to empathize with people from the Great Depression as I’m brought up in a consistent cycle of consumerism and consumption (that is ruining the planet) and constant opportunities. I’m fortunate to recognize the blessings in my path that make me unable to fully understand George and Lennie’s journey. But that doesn’t make me not understand the timeless morals of the story. I mean, it’s a classic for a reason!

When living in England, I found this book at Waterstones in a classics section and was transported back to when I was 13 sitting in a class of 30 students, listening to Caryn Collette narrate. It was a formative moment for me to think about how far I’d come since reading this for the first time, and how far I’ll go by the time I re-read it again. I bought the book, and brought it back for Caryn (now you can awhhh; yes, we get coffee every few months).

I realize now this isn’t truly a review, but a reflection on what this book has brought to me, and how I’ve grown since first reading it. But, I don’t feel I really can separate my personal attachment from this book; as short of a book it is, it’s paramount to my journey as an adult and learning my core values of caring for others, empathy, and radical acceptance. I love this book, I can’t wait to read it to my kids just like Caryn did for me.

It was really hard for me to make this playlist, as the theme of the book is so relevant but people don’t like to talk about it. This playlist highlights timeless hardship. Yes, it’s sad… but that’s the vibe!

Spotify: LINK