In the harsh landscape of 1930s California, two displaced ranch workers, George and Lennie, navigate their dreams of a better life. George is cunning and protective, while Lennie, with his immense physical strength and mental challenges, is both a burden and a source of hope. As they strive for independence, their shared vision of owning a piece of land becomes increasingly tenuous. Interwoven with themes of friendship, loneliness, and the quest for belonging, Steinbeck crafts a poignant tale that reflects the struggles of the human condition. Will their dreams survive the unforgiving reality they face?
By John Steinbeck
Published: 2002
""Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place.""
A controversial tale of friendship and tragedy during the Great Depression, in a deluxe centennial edition Over seventy-five years since its first publication, Steinbeck’s tale of commitment, loneliness, hope, and loss remains one of America’s most widely read and taught novels. An unlikely pair, George and Lennie, two migrant workers in California during the Great Depression, grasp for their American Dream. They hustle work when they can, living a hand-to-mouth existence. For George and Lennie have a plan: to own an acre of land and a shack they can call their own. When they land jobs on a ranch in the Salinas Valley, the fulfillment of their dream seems to be within their grasp. But even George cannot guard Lennie from the provocations, nor predict the consequences of Lennie's unswerving obedience to the things George taught him. Of Mice and Men represents an experiment in form, which Steinbeck described as “a kind of playable novel, written in a novel form but so scened and set that it can be played as it stands.” A rarity in American letters, it achieved remarkable success as a novel, a Broadway play, and three acclaimed films. This Centennial edition, specially designed to commemorate one hundred years of Steinbeck, features french flaps and deckle-edged pages. For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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“"Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place."”
Of Mice and Men
By John Steinbeck
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
John Steinbeck (1902-1968) was an American author renowned for his poignant novels exploring themes of social justice, human struggle, and the American experience. Born in Salinas, California, he drew heavily on his experiences in the state’s agricultural heartland, which influenced works like "The Grapes of Wrath" and "East of Eden." Steinbeck received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962, recognizing his rich and empathetic storytelling. His writing often highlighted the plight of the marginalized, reflecting his deep compassion for the working class. Today, Steinbeck's legacy endures, inspiring readers and writers with his profound insights into humanity and society.
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