Remember, I said in my last post, I am going to read Classics this week? This is the first one.
Goodreads Summary: The tragic story of the complex bond between two migrant laborers in Central California. They are George Milton and Lennie Small, itinerant ranch hands who dream of one day owning a small farm. George acts as a father figure to Lennie, who is a very large, simple-minded man, calming him and helping to rein in his immense physical strength.
My views: Seriously (don’t kill me for this), I had never heard of this book before. I was just trying to find out the Classic that had the least number of pages and I found it. Am I glad? Absolutely!
This is the first Classic that I have read that has such simple language that you don’t have to read every line twice or read a non-classic to be able to come back to it. It is a book you finish in one go. And as aptly put by a friend (Hey, Judy! I am quoting you here), the book is written simple in style, but complex in thought.
The characters are really well developed, as is seen in all Classics. I fell in love with Lenny, he is very cute, innocent and adorable. Except for the fact that he ends up killing mice and pups. I don’t like that, I love animals. But what can you say when he innocently replies “But I was just petting him”? He can’t help it, he is a big man.
The story is short and ends up breaking my heart. Seriously, though I didn’t cry but oh, it was difficult.
Despite it being a short novella, Steinbeck manages to give us a view into everyone’s life and what holds them back.
The book is simply written yet it leaves you thinking a long time after you finish reading.
If you want a Classic to start with, this should be the one. Simply told.
4/5 stars – I really liked it. 
Reviewing Shelf 
Good review 🙂 Was just stoping to say that you’re taged as part of my chain http://turningthepagesx.blogspot.com/2012/02/book-tag.html
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I agree, this is a great ‘classic’ to start with. Steinbeck’s simple use of language is his trademark. I think it’s brilliant. You must have considered giving it 5 stars?
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Well, I am one of those stringent readers who keep those 5 stars only for those books that awe’d me from start till end and then some more. I loved this book but not that much. For me, Anna Karenina was 5 stars. This one’s a four. I think, to each his own. 🙂
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Fair enough 🙂 The giving of stars is a highly personal thing and I agree, it all depends on how the book grabs you.
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In my junior year of high school, a bunch of us took a block AP English and American history course. We had a fun project with this book where we had to put on a mock supreme court case for Lenny, to see if he should be held responsible. I’ll never forget it.
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Wow! That does seem like a fun project. How creative of the teacher. 🙂
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I loved this book when I was younger. I had to read it for my grade 9 English class and thought it was great. It’s such a short book but it feels like it’s much longer. Glad you liked it 🙂
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Oh, you read it in school. That’s way too early for a classic. But yes this one is much simple in language and content. I really liked it though I was devastated by the end.
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It’s wonderful that you didn’t cry when you finished this book! I couldn’t help my tears when I closed the book. Lennie is such a sweet guy. I don’t hate George for what he does, but I really hate the condition which forces him to do so. It’s a really good book and I’m glad that you enjoyed it too! 🙂
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It wasn’t that I wasn’t sad, I was just too shocked to cry. I couldn’t believe that had happened. I loved Lenny. And yes, it was great book. I am glad I read it. 🙂
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