William K. (TPB) reviewed on + 47 more book reviews
Very good. 1936 novel about an apple-pickers strike in California. Fiction but based on author's research of two real strikes, one by peach and the other lettuce-workers. Although two communist organizers are central to the story the book was attacked by leftist critics on the grounds that it was ideologically incorrect. JS dismissed this as coming from "NY parlor pinks", and stated that his characters (Jim and Mac) were based on his observations of real field organizers; especially a man named Pat Chambers. One of the worst attacks came from the then princess of the NYPP's, Mary McCarthy, writing in the ultimate PP mag. She first dismissed the novel as unrealistic and then Steinbeck as a writer. Considering that young Mary's knowledge of agriculture probably did not extend beyond a hayride around the Vassar campus, I consider her comments especially laughable. Please do not be misled by this little digression: this is not an ideological novel. The book has its flaws-women only appear in the background or as part of groups. The only individual female character is a minor one and not very intelligent. Considering some of JS's other books this is surprising. TPB
