Of Mice and Men (Taschenbuch)

George and Lennie travel everywhere together, working and sharing the visicitudes of 1930's migrant life--lucky to have a meager supper of canned beans without ketchup. But these two men, who are not even related, are bound as deeply as brothers. George, the short guy with the brains, feels responsible for his big, simple-minded companion, who depends on him for work, food and dreams of a better future. Lennie is a gentle retarded man, who panics easily--not realizing his own tremendous physical strength.

This story is more than a mere '30s novella, for it pits the private vulnerability of human nature against pitiless fate. The story, 75% dialogue with only 25% narrative, reads easily, flowing along like the indifferent Salinas River, which inexorably carries its characters to a tragic denoument. Man Aspires but Flawed Society Destroys. A dark Classic.

The American Dream has many variations, but always, it is about independence and the pride of being one's own man. Lennie and George want this independence more than most men, but have less than most men to get there. In their case, it isn't a white picket fence, but a farm where they can raise rabbits.

Lennie is not a bright man. He desires to care for someone and to be loved, but is unable to think past his own fear. George tries to protect him, but he too, although smarter than Lennie, is managed by his insecurity and foolishness.

The story surrounds Lennie and George's efforts to get and retain work on ranch near Soledad, and more so, toward their American Dream. The big picture is always with them, but it is the day-by-day difficulties they have with being outsiders. Their intrinsic inability to be free is sheer tragedy, as they both fail again and again to make the right decision.

It's a lonely story about two men who hope more than they can think, who are destined by their misery never to enjoy true companionship and happiness.

Few books are as thematically pure as "Of Mice and Men," which follows Man's search for self and meaning carefully. It is harsh in language and image, and the abstract ideas might be too much for younger readers to comprehend, but any intelligent teen will gain from it where John Knowles' "A Separate Peace" and J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye" leave off.

I fully recommend "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck.

Anthony Trendl

The story is about two men, George and Lennie, who always look out for each other. Lennie is, well, "different" in that he loves to touch soft things. He has the mind of a two year old. George does his best efforts to look after Lennie, although Lennie does get into a lot of trouble. After being chased away from their previous town, George and Lennie get new jobs in hopes to someday own a ranch of their own.

Though this book was written well and the plot was good, I didn't like the story line. It was very depressing and was annoying for me to read. Maybe I'm just one person in a million who didn't enjoy this book. Try it out and see what you think.