Have I read this before: I got through like ten pages in junior high and was like NOPE

Review: So. Steinbeck. I stand by the claim that this should NOT be your first exposure to Steinbeck. Read The Pearl or East of Eden or Of Mice and Men first. I’m not saying The Grapes of Wrath is bad. It’s not. It’s very compelling. But it’s a slow burn at the start. And I mean sloooooooooow buuuuuuuuuuuurn. Like “trying to set water on fire” kind of slow burn. I’m sure that was why I had trouble getting into it when I was younger. But once you do, it’s definitely worth it. I owe Steinbeck an apology for hating on him since like 7th grade, but in my defense, SLOOOOOOOOOOOW BUUUUUUUUUUUURN.

Favorite Part: The ending scene. It’s very jarring and heart-wrenching and really shows the desperation of the time.

Rating: 6/10