Synopsis

Shocking and controversial when it was first published in 1939, Steinbeck''s Pulitzer Prize-winning epic remains his undisputed masterpiece. Set against the background of dust bowl Oklahoma and Californian migrant life, it tells of the Joad family, who, like thousands of others, are forced to travel West in search of the promised land. Their story is one of false hopes, thwarted desires and broken dreams, yet out of their suffering Steinbeck created a drama that is intensely human yet majestic in its scale and moral vision; an eloquent tribute to the endurance and dignity of the human spirit.

Sent as an RABCK to cally-c

Thank-you so much JPix for the RABCK! It was a lovely surprise this morning.
I hope to offer this up as a ray very soon.

Offering this as a ray.

Participants so far:
flambard (UK-UK)
angela861 (US-Int'l)
ChiBoiler (US-Int'l)
cat207 (Aus-Aus) here!

8th Jan 08 - Book is on its way to flambard.

It has arrived in (surprisingly sunny) Horsham! Many thanks!

Fantastic. A book which defined 1930s America. The story of the Joads is mesmerising, from Tom's release from prison, the ousting of the family from their Oklahoma farm, the tortuous journey west to California with death as their companion, arrival, disillusion, the struggle to survive and the disintegration of the family. I found it totally consuming.

Awaiting address from angela861

RELEASE NOTES:

Off to Chicago!

I just received the book today. I have one ahead of this one but no fear... it won't take long.

I really enjoyed this book even though it was slow going. Once I committed to it I read it in a couple of days. It did help that I was on vacation. :-)

Loved the story and how Steinbeck painted such vivid pictures of the family's journey. This was the first book I've read by him and want to read more of his work.

I gave this book to ChiBoiler while we were in St John on 3/8.

Caught this book from angela861 in the virgin islands yesterday. I read 150 pages yesterday on the plane. Thankfully I had it in my carry on since UNITED AIRLINES lost my luggage.

This is the current book I am reading. Will pass it on when I am done.

I enjoyed this book. Thought it was a fast read although it did start to drag a bit once they went to the government camp. A part of US history that I wasn't that familiar with so I found it very interesting.

Still cringe everytime I think of someone named Rose of Sharon. I would definitely be changing my name if my parents stuck me with that! Thought the story ended abruptly and would love to know how Steinbeck felt the Joads would end up in the long run. But maybe it would just have been the same scenario over and over...traveling to find work and food.

I can't get to the post office until Monday...I have cat207's address and will send it on it's way then!!!

Thanks for hosting this ring, Cally-c!

UPDATE: 3/17/08 (Happy St. Patrick's Day) I mailed this book out at lunch today. Should be in Australia within the week!!

Arrived in today's mail. Thank you ChiBoiler and cally-c for sharing.

Finally got around to this one and I have to say it again... Why did I wait so long?

I loved the way it was writ!

Sending to tqd along with two bookrings. Enjoy. X

Thanks cat207! I read this many many years ago, after being strongly affected by John Ford's 1940 adaptation, which I still think is one of the best movies ever made. (I got to watch it again while doing a movie course with David Stratton a few years back. That name will probably mean nothing to the non-Aussies out there, but believe me, he's a God to movie buffs in Australia. :)

From (vague) memory, I did find the book a bit melodramatic. It's probably due for a re-read now I'm not a teenager any more, but I have a ridiculous pile of books as it is, thanks to a very generous cat207 who sent an entire bag of "1001" books to me this week. It's a bit too chunky for me to offer as an international ray, so I shall offer it up on the Oz VBB when it's my turn next.

UPDATE 12 Feb 2009: And into the Oz VBB it goes...

UPDATE 01 Apr 2009: And out it goes, to KLL. You know, I've been tempted to re-read this one before I send it off, after Peter Cundall gave it such a impassioned review on "First Tuesday Bookclub" the other week. But no time!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Popping in the post tonight.

Happy reading!

Received this morning - thanks tqd!

(I put a couple of books in the post for you this afternoon!!)

Wow. This is really a fantastic book and not really at all what I was expecting. I've read one other John Steinbeck book - 'Cannery Row', which I definitely enjoyed, but I also understood to be his 'less depressing' book so I really wasn't sure what I'd think of his others. However, while it's true that some awful events happen in 'The Grapes of Wrath', I rarely found it depressing. The Joad Family's struggle is even uplifting in a way, and beautifully depicts the plight of many on a human scale. I never imagined that the story of one family's fight against poverty and starvation could be a thriller, but it felt like it to me - in the end I was gulping through the book to see what happened!

Like 'Cannery Row', the 'Grapes of Wrath intersperses the Joad's story line with little vignettes of life on the road and of migrants in Californa. They're beautifully written and some of them were heart breaking. I feel now like I've got a completely new understanding of 1930's America and particularly the politics of how the situation came about. I definitely agree that the book belongs on the list of 1001 Books to Read Before You Die.

I'll be sending this on to my BC Secret Santa Partner later today. It was on her wish list and I hope she will enjoy this as much as I have.

arrived today, thank you so much! I am going away next week so this will come with me for some chillin' out...