The Grapes of Wrath was published in 1939, and was written by John Steinbeck, the same author who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962.

The Grapes of Wrath tells the story of the Joad family, a farming family from Oklahoma who have lost their farm to the bank due to the effects of the dust bowl. The family are joined by Jim Casey, a local preacher, and their eldest son Tom who has been released on parole after serving a sentence for homicide. With little left of their lives in Oklahoma, they set out on a journey to California, after being tempted there by handbills promising a profitable life of fruit picking. The title “The Grapes of Wrath” is a strong hint of the trials that the family face- the journey to California is incredibly arduous and when they arrive, the dream lifestyle has been shattered by the bitter reality of an oversupply of labour. The book really tells the human side of an economic tragedy, and the suffering of the Joad family is really representative of thousands others who chose to make a new life after the destruction of the dust bowl.

John Steinbeck was born on the 27th of February 1902, in the town of Salinas, California. (Incidentally the setting of another of his books, “Of Mice and Men”) In 1919 he finished high school and attended Stanford University, though he left without a degree. During his childhood he had gained considerable experience of ranch work and agriculture, and clearly understood the reality of working as migrant, themes reflected in several of his books.

I had to study “Of Mice and Men” for my GCSE in English literature, yet a few years afterwards I read The Grapes of Wrath. One of the reasons I was so attracted to the book was the strength of background that Steinbeck builds up- every wage and price is mentioned in the book, which brings an element of reality to the hardship that this fictional family endured. On the other end of the spectrum, as well as the background detail, it is also the entirely human element of the novel that makes it so attractive- the relationships and leadership within the Joad family constantly evolve as the family splits up. Steinbeck’s exploration of the darker side of human nature is another big attraction- he spares nothing in describing the way in which people in tough situations turn on their fellow human beings. I really can’t sing the praises of this book loudly enough- I have read it several times and have enjoyed each reading as much as the first.

I really recommend this book if you haven’t already read it- but if you have, do you agree with my verdict? You can use the polling widget in the top right hand corner to express your view, or you can access our book forum to discuss this book and many others.