“The Grapes of Wrath’s radical voice of protest can still be heard. As a tale of dashed illusions, thwarted desires, inhuman suffering, and betrayed promises – all strung on a shimmering thread of hope – The Grapes of Wrath not only summed up the Depression era’s socially conscious art but, beyond that – for emotional urgency, evocative power, and sustained drama – has few peers in American fiction.”
Robert DeMott*
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the release of The Grapes of Wrath, Penguin have published 5 of his books, with stunning new covers.
I have always considered myself a Steinbeck fan; I read Cannery Row (which, by the way, has devastated me by its absence in this selection) over and over again when I was about 10, and enjoyed every page even though I had no idea what was going on (I thought the Bear Flag Restaurant was just a really friendly place where men, who didn’t have female friends, went to just talk about feelings with golden hearted women).
But, I have yet to read Grapes (and will probably only be allowed to when I stop referring to it as “Grapes”) which some would view as sinful. I hadn’t even heard of The Moon is Down before this new edition landed.
So I guess my Steinbeck fangirling needs some work, and this new edition is making it very easy to get started.
Cover designed by Jim Stoddart, and a quick glance through his website confirms that yes, this is the dude that does all the cool things.
Book info:
- ISBN: 9780141394886
- Penguin Classics, 2014 edition
- Please visit the Penguin Classics website for more info regarding all the titles in this series.
- Boyfriend’s book
* Taken from this edition’s introduction.
