Cannery Row is a short book written by Steinbeck as a tribute to his upbringing in California. It is an excellent read full of humour and drama.
The characters in Cannery Row are, without exception, societies outcasts: Drunkards, thieves, prostitutes, gamblers and down-on-their-luck businessmen. From reading this you would be forgiven for thinking this story would be bleak or perhaps unpleasant. Nothing could be further from the truth.
It's refreshing to read about characters who genuinely love life. There isn't a whole lot of brooding or introverted thoughts just a small group with tenuous links in common getting on with their lives and co-existing. There is a subtle thread of mutal love and friendship amidst the grime of their existence.
I found the book uplifting and fun to read. There is tragedy and sadness but also great and simple joys and an honest way of living which has perhaps been lost these days. I don't envy any of their hard lives but in the midst of their poverty, crime and immoral behaviour alot of joy and decency can be found.
On top of all this I love the front cover of this addition. A very powerful book but also great fun.
I am currently reading 'Sweet Thursday', the sequel to Cannery Row which I intend to review here when I finish it.
Final verdict 5/5
Chris
I feel in love with Steinbeck again this past year, and I look forward to trying this one soon. Nice Review.
ReplyDeleteSteinbeck is one of my favorites, but I haven't read this one...yet. It sounds similar to Tortilla Flat, which I enjoyed very much. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteGreat review. I read my first Steinbeck last week, Of Mice and Men, and I really liked it. I'm actually unsure of how I've gone this long without reading anything of his. But, this looks like a good one and the next one I'll pick up. Thanks!
ReplyDelete@ Bibliophile By the Sea: Thanks, I started reading Steinbeck in earnest last year and he's become my favourite author. It seems impossible for me to dislike any of his books!
ReplyDelete@JoAnn: I haven't read Tortilla Flat yet but it's in my box upstairs!
@Petekarnas: The first Steinbeck book I read was 'Of Mice and Men' in school when I was 15 years old, I remember being really impressed with it then and it's certainly one of his best books and a brilliant one to start with.
Chris
this is my favourite steinbeck he captures what it is to be downtrodden and with out hope so well here
ReplyDelete@ winstonsdad: I agree Steinbeck did a brilliant job (as always) of portraying the struggle of the lower classes whilst at the same time creating some very memorable characters. He was an amazing writer! Have you read Sweet Thursday as well?
ReplyDeleteChris
I read this one last year and loved it. Sweet Thursday is on my list for this year.
ReplyDelete@ Avid Reader: I'm really enjoying Sweet Thursday at the moment, if anything it is even better than Cannery Row!
ReplyDeleteChris