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Book Reviews of Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men
Of Mice and Men
Author: John Steinbeck
ISBN-13: 9780553110098
ISBN-10: 0553110098
Publication Date: 1977
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 14

3.8 stars, based on 14 ratings
Publisher: Bantam Books
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

49 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Who doesn't love this book? If you actually got through high school without reading it, you should read it.
lectio avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 88 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The American Library Association has consistently had to deal with the fact that this classic novel continues to rank among the top ten most frequently challenged books. The title, taken from Robert Burns famous line the best laid schemes o' mice an' men Gang aft agley foreshadows the story of George and Lennie, two migrant workers who dream of someday owning their own little farm where they can settle down to live off the fatta the lan. Like all classic pieces of literature Of Mice and Men, which is set during the depression and deals with universal themes like friendship, isolation, cruelty, innocence, compassion, cowardliness, courage, and love reveals aspects of the human condition that are timeless. Another reason this book is a classic is that instead of simply telling a sad story about a child-like, developmentally disabled man and his friend who has taken on the responsibility of looking out for him, Steinbeck gives us a chance to get to know them. By the end of the book its hard not to feel moved and touched by what happens to characters we have come to understand and care about. On the other hand not everyone who reads the book ends up feeling that way. Apparently theres plenty there to offend all kinds of people -- animal rights people are upset because of what happens to Candys dog and Lennies puppy. Civil rights activists protest the character and treatment of Crooks, the black hired hand who sleeps in a separate bunk house from the other ranch workers. Feminists complain about the stereotypical treatment of Curlys wife and the notable absence of any strong female characters. Some people feel the portrayal of Lennie is demeaning to persons with disabilities. And of course, staunchly religious folks are outraged at the suggestion that mercy killing can be the form that love takes. Nevertheless this book remains a classic piece of American literature and having read it I have a pretty good reason why.
mickmckeown avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This classic novel tells the tragic tale of Lennie Small and George Milton. They are out of luck and out of work migrant workers roaming the highways of California during the 1920s. The depression is the backdrop for the story but that does not prevent Lennie and George from dreaming big. Steinbeck paints a masterful and brilliant portrait of a bygone era that still resonates today. Every time I read this book it reads differently. This is required reading for most high schools. Fifteen years after I originally read I still love it. However, the difference between reading it at 14 and 28 is amazing. Lennie and George are some of the best characters of 20th Century Literature. I highly reccommend picking this one up.
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 33 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is one of my favorite American classics. Sure it ends on a very sad note, but it is still a book that deserves its place in the halls of literature canon. I love sharing it with students too because their reactions are usually very strong. There are no passive readers of this story, just listeners who didn't care to listen or readers who didn't really read.
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I read this as a required novel in my English class, but still really enjoyed it.
sandyfl avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 42 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
From the back cover: "Traveling across America in search of who you are - now they do it on cycles, in cars, by bus or in the time-honored tradition of foot and thumb. The wanderers of today may wear their hair long and speak a different jargon, but their trip is one that men (and women) have taken for as long as this country has been pushing at its frontiers.

John Steinbeck writes of such a trip in Of Mice and Men: the desperate longing of men for some kind of home - roots that they can believe in, land that they can care for - and the painful search for self. This beautiful, timeless novel speaks of the love that men can feel for each other - one inarticulate, dumb, sometimes violent in his need; the other clever, hopeful, and tied to a responsibility he thinks he doesn't want."

Warning: This book includes violence, obsenities and profanity. Not recommended for children. At 118 pages and large print, it's a quick read.
lagirafe avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I've been a fan of Steinbecks books since high school....love reading them over and over!
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Short enough to entice a reluctant reader to pick it up. This is one that you just have to read. Definitely recommend it for kids. If they can make it past the first few paragraphs they'll love it! Steinbeck is just awesome!
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A classic from high school - very easy read
DesertShaman avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 203 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Heartwrenching classic.
reviewed Of Mice and Men on
Helpful Score: 1
Another John Steinbeck masterpiece!
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 51 more book reviews
This story is not to be missed. Don't let it's lack of length decieve you into thinking there isn't enough space to develop good characters and an excellent plot. READ THIS ONE.
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 636 more book reviews
Wow! What a poignant and precise book. Despite this book's classic reputation, I never read this in school, and really had no idea what the book was about. I really enjoyed it - and was truly shocked by how sad it was. I felt terrible after reading the ending and was surprised at how such a short book could cover such huge themes like isolation, friendship, love, death and dreams. The number of dogs were surprising, too. I liked it more than _Cannery Row_.
valeriemarie83 avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 26 more book reviews
Powerful story, and it isn't drawn out into a long novel. Loved the writing style. It really made the characters come to life, and it was easy to feel drawn into the story. This one really tugged at my heart...great book.
lestatvictim avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 3 more book reviews
I remember reading this book in middle school. A wonderful read!
AmandaBullock avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 10 more book reviews
Just finished reading and decoding every small aspect of this book for a literature class and I'm currently torn between adoring it, and being ready to throw it across the room.
Three things are for certain: it's a novella you won't want to put down until it's over, the ending will get you every time, and you will fall absolutely in love with the characters.
Steinbeck was a genius.
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 5 more book reviews
Haven't read this since high school. Saw it very differently. Steinbeck is a master.
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 3 more book reviews
A touching, classic story
maxdlove avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on
I found this book to be emotionaly guided with a corky standpoint as well as rounded with a Drmatic twist that brings it's readers tearing up if not crying. culturally, the writing changes as charectors come in and out of the picure giving everything and everone their own personalities. if your looking for a Classic Drama, with heart; feed your soul with this book, it'll fill you right up!
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 65 more book reviews
A thriller, a gripping tale ...a classic.
annapi avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 334 more book reviews
It took long enough, but I finally read this book, and though it's good the one overwhelming thought in my head is DEPRESSING. I'm just glad it was so short. Lennie and George are two friends - George is a small man but smart, while Lennie is a huge and extremely strong but with the intelligence of a child. They have spent their lives dreaming of having a place of their own, living off "the fat of the land", but Lennie's lack of control over his brute strength have landed them in trouble several times and forced them to remain on the move. Steinbeck paints a bleak portrait of the hardship of the time, as well as the myriad characters in life, and an unusual friendship. Most people probably would not like the ending, but I felt it was fitting and I don't think he could have ended it any other way.
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 9 more book reviews
Great book!
jackash avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on
I read this as a high-school english EXP book, and wasn't expecting much from it. Truthfully, it is a WONDERFUL, sad, and touching story about isolation, strength, and friendship. I would recommend it to anyone, but make sure you have a box of tissues on hand. Steinbeck has a great way of describing places and it really lets you see the world that the characters live in.
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 18 more book reviews
This book contains a great deal of swearing! Other than that, I really like this book! The themes are great! The story is so very intriguing. What a picture of life during the Great Depression. The ending took me completely by surprise! It gives you a lot to think about.
abbykt avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 113 more book reviews
This is such a beautifully sad book about George and Lennie. George the protector, Lennie the gentle man that is too strong for his own good. I really like George even though he was tough on Lennie sometimes. I trusted that he would always take of Lennie and that he was the only one who really understood him. I enjoyed hearing about their dream as much as Lennie did. There was an feeling throughout the book that something bad was going to happen. It starts with Lennie killing the mice because he is too strong. Then they reach their new work place and there is trouble with the foreman's son and his new wife. Again, Lennie is too strong and his confusion and tenderness is marked with anger when people or animals do not behave as he expects them. This escalates out of control to lead to the final conclusion when George is Lennie's final protector. Heart wrenching.
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 4 more book reviews
Wonderfully written classic.
reviewed Of Mice and Men on
a classic
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 50 more book reviews
THis is a superb little classic and heartbreaking in its simplicity. Steinbeck is a master at creating such vivid characters in such a limited number of pages.
cmthomp86 avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 2 more book reviews
I hated this book. I found it physically painful to read. I appreciate and respect what Steinbeck was trying to do with the dialogue. Not being able to finish writing a book myself, I try to be very respectful of accomplished writers, especially writers of classics, but this was not my cup of tea at all and I feel it is incredibly over rated. I've referred to it as 'garbage' and meant it.
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 15 more book reviews
Of Mice and Men is the THEE most rewarding book to teach. The students easily understand Setting, as each chapter begins with a couple paragraphs of it. Static and dynamic characters are clear and obvious. It's a fantastic example of truly sympathizing with the antagonist. It's a great way to personify the Great Depression and just how hard men had to work to scrape by. Most of my students don't like Curly's wife because Steinbeck did such an excellent job of making her a villain; when I begin to explain how it might feel to be her: nameless, powerless, unloved, bullied...they begin to appreciate how the "have nots" feel. Follow this book with the Gary Sinise/Jon Malkovich movie and your students will remember their lessons for ever.
StrawberryOES avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 88 more book reviews
Never head this book, but of course, it's a "classic". I decided to read all of the classics I could, now that I'm older. Found the book very small for being so famous. It was interesting and it took me a long time to equate the title with the characters. I'm sure it is true to life, as the world was back then. Men going from ranch to ranch, looking for any type of work. It's a good, short read.
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 496 more book reviews
I had to read it for an English class, but it has a very interesting moral. A very thought provoking book.
reviewed Of Mice and Men on
I thought this was an overall pretty good book. It had a sad ending but very enjoyable.
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 48 more book reviews
Not much of a Steinbeck fan...I saw the movie first, thought it was alright, so read the book because I picked it up one day for a cheap price.

Saddest ending to a book ever. Poor George.

Short and relatively to the point.
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 8 more book reviews
An excellent read by one of my favorite authors.
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 6 more book reviews
I loved this book, another great read!
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 117 more book reviews
The classic!
paisleywings avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 232 more book reviews
I loved this book about the human condition. One brother takes care of the other until he kills for love in order to save him.
raleighurbain avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 2 more book reviews
A classic!!!
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 39 more book reviews
A sad, yet mesmerizing tale about friendship.
bookcrazychick avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 76 more book reviews
I actually like the movie version better. The one with John Malkovich. I really didn't "get" the book.
nrezac avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 160 more book reviews
Great reading!
BobbiesZoo avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 107 more book reviews
I do NOT understand how this book is a "classic", it's just horrible!
bowcamper avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 3 more book reviews
I understand that Steinbeck is touted as one of our 20th century genius writers. However, I find his books to lack a certain integrity. If he is such a great writer, why does he resort to such profane language? Aren't his characters either grotesque enough? Desperate enough? If Steinbeck is so great a writer, might he just draw from his 'literary genius' and choose a vocabulary less base to formulate his characters? I find it lazy of Steinbeck to use profanity. It takes away from my ability to give him any decent rating. It would be a compromise.
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 302 more book reviews
2 friends facing the world .
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 8 more book reviews
I personally did not like this book, it was too short and had a very dull plot.
sk1nsfan avatar reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 9 more book reviews
Weird, just plain weird.
reviewed Of Mice and Men on + 23 more book reviews
it's so sad. In the end Lenny is shot dead since he accidentally killed a woman and since he was mentally wrong you have to have empathy for him. Him dying in the end all because he killed a woman by accident is just so sad. but still it does teach a few lessons and is still a good book. there are two reasons for the foul language one is to make you hate the antagonists and two to fit with the times
reviewed Of Mice and Men on
Required reading for my DS in midle school.