The Grapes of Wrath

by John Steinbeck
The Grapes of Wrath cover
Good Books rating 4.31
Historical Fiction
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Paperback • £8.99–£9.99 Hardback • £16.99
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Format • £16.14
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Technical
  • ID: 5197
  • Added: 2025-10-22
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9780140042399
  • Publisher: Penguin Group
  • Published: 1976-01-01
  • Formats: 5
  • Reviews: 4

John Steinbeck's *The Grapes of Wrath* is a powerful and poignant novel that chronicles the Joad family's migration from Oklahoma to California in search of a better life during the Great Depression. The novel is renowned for its vivid portrayal of the hardships faced by migrant workers and its exploration of themes of resilience, social injustice, and the human spirit. /n/nPublished in 1939, the book is a seminal work of American literature that won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Steinbeck's masterful storytelling and deep empathy for his characters make this a timeless and essential read.

Reviews
lauragerold.blogspot.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
profound 4.50

The Grapes of Wrath is a powerful and moving novel that captures the struggles of the Joad family during the Great Depression. It's a profound exploration of human resilience and the harsh realities of poverty and injustice.

The Grapes of Wrath is a deeply impactful novel that follows the Joad family as they journey from Oklahoma to California in search of a better life during the Great Depression. The novel is a stark portrayal of the hardships faced by migrant workers and the systemic injustices they encounter. Steinbeck's writing is both poignant and powerful, drawing the reader into the lives of the characters and making their struggles feel deeply personal. The novel's themes of resilience, hope, and the enduring human spirit are timeless and resonate strongly today. While the plot can be bleak at times, the emotional depth and social commentary make it a must-read for anyone interested in American history and literature.

Quick quotes

    The novel is a profound exploration of human resilience and the harsh realities of poverty and injustice.

    Steinbeck's writing is both poignant and powerful, drawing the reader into the lives of the characters.

    The novel's themes of resilience, hope, and the enduring human spirit are timeless and resonate strongly today.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
informative 3.50

Carol Anderson's 'One Person, No Vote' argues that the decline in black voter turnout in the 2016 election was not due to lack of interest but systemic suppression by Republican legislatures. The book is a historical primer and manifesto, timed for the midterms, that highlights how changes in voting laws have distorted American democracy.

Carol Anderson's 'One Person, No Vote' directs attention to the 7 percent drop in black voter turnout during the 2016 presidential election, attributing this not to disinterest but to systematic suppression by Republican legislatures. The book argues that the 2013 Supreme Court decision to revoke part of the Voting Rights Act left voters vulnerable to state legislators who changed laws to make voting harder for minorities. Anderson's work is a historical primer and manifesto, timed for the midterms, that highlights how these changes have profoundly distorted American democracy. The book is a speedy sequel to her previous work, 'White Rage,' which explored how periods of black progress often trigger a backlash through legislative and judicial means. Anderson's argument, while not new, is presented in a slender volume that is both informative and spirited, aiming to raise awareness ahead of the midterm elections.

Quick quotes

    Minority voters did not just refuse to show up.

    Republican legislatures and governors systematically blocked African-Americans, Hispanics and Asian-Americans from the polls.

    Working the halls of power, it can achieve its ends far more effectively, far more destructively.

samstillreading.wordpress.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
profound 4.50

The Grapes of Wrath is a powerful and moving novel that captures the struggles of the Joad family during the Great Depression. It's a profound exploration of human resilience and the harsh realities of poverty, leaving a lasting impact on readers.

The Grapes of Wrath is a deeply affecting novel that follows the Joad family as they journey from Oklahoma to California in search of a better life during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression. The novel's raw and unflinching portrayal of their hardships and the systemic injustices they face is both heartbreaking and enlightening. Steinbeck's writing is evocative and poignant, making the characters' struggles feel incredibly real and relatable. The novel's themes of resilience, family, and the human spirit are timeless and resonate deeply with readers. It's a powerful reminder of the strength and dignity of ordinary people in the face of adversity. The novel's ending is particularly poignant, leaving a lasting impression on the reader. It's a must-read for anyone interested in American history or the human condition.

Quick quotes

    The novel is a powerful and moving exploration of the human condition

    It's a profound and affecting portrayal of the struggles of the Joad family

    Steinbeck's writing is evocative and poignant, making the characters' struggles feel incredibly real and relatable

Reddit - r/books · Anonymous · 2022-07-01
masterful 4.75

The ending of this novel is considered one of the greatest in literature, showcasing Steinbeck's mastery of storytelling. The novel is filled with vivid scenes and deep emotional impact.

A Reddit user shares their admiration for 'The Grapes of Wrath,' particularly praising the novel's ending as one of the greatest in literature. The reviewer highlights Steinbeck's mastery of storytelling, which creates vivid scenes and a deep emotional impact. The novel's exploration of the human condition and social injustice is noted as particularly powerful. The reviewer's enthusiasm for the novel is evident, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in classic literature.

Quick quotes

    The ending of Grapes of Wrath is one of the greatest novel endings of all time, imo.

    Steinbeck was a master writer.

    So many great books, but this one stands out for its emotional depth and impact.

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