Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

As an avid book junkie, I thought it was time I recommend another of my faves.

Classic American novels feature among my must-reads. I was also motivated by the excellent book reviews done by Nanie Hurley 🌿

This novel was published in 1939 and depicts the depression-era struggles of poor farmers. As a Singaporean, born way after this era and unfamiliar with agricultural life, this truly expanded my world view. Which is what I love about literature.

Back to the captivating tale and I’ll try not to spoil it for you if you intend to read it.

The Joad family is chased off the land they have lived on for generations by the banks that own the farmland and their labour is replaced by huge tractors.

I’ve read this book but was compelled to listen to the audio version once again. Some books are meant to be read multiple times.

It’s one of those books that stays with you (repels, horrifies and captivates).

No surprise it won the Pulitzer and people attempted to ban it.

Many parts of it are disturbing such as the police brutality and the struggle with hunger and just basic needs like a bed to sleep on.

Today as the divide between the haves and the have-nots gets even wider, this book is a must-read.

A lot of it is still relevant decades later. What is wrong with our world?

The struggle between the rich and the poor. The powerful and the weak. The migrant seeking a better life, but who is seen as a threat. Who is looked down upon? Who is vilified?

Drought and overploughing of the land with the use of tractors led to the Dust Bowl. Both natural and human factors culminate in this disaster.

The Joad family together with other farmers are forced to move from Oklahoma to California to survive. They are derogatorily referred to as Oakies and live in squatter-like settlements.

They think there is work due to handbills they receive advertising work on farms in fertile California, but there is a ploy to lure so many people that the migrants end up working for practically nothing. If they can even get work.

Wages are depressed. There are no unions and the poor farmers are accused of being ‘reds’ or communists when they try to demand basic wages.

It’s also a story of family unity, a mother who holds it all together despite the harshness of the life they face.

You will be changed after you read it. I did wonder what happened to Black Americans who are not featured at all. I need some insight on this please Toni The Talker.

Steinbeck took years to research but just 5 months to write the 528-page book in long hand. That is prolific. His wife Carol helped to type it out. This kind of detail fascinates me, and I’m sure you too, as a writer.

I have yet to watch the 1940 film adaptation but I want to. So many outstanding books, movies and now TV. So little time. A common refrain for us all I’m sure.

The novel ends quite abruptly with a shocking scene and I won’t give any spoilers.

It’s worth carving out time to read this classic.