Of Mice and Men

It was a very slow read at first, but once I got pass the style of writing I remembered why I loved this book so much when I read it the first time a few years ago. Really loved the foreshadowing, and the conversations between the characters made me think about issues going on in the world. Very beautiful ending and how the author linked the end of the book to the beginning.

Two drifters that roam the country looking for work. They find a farm that will take them, but Lennie gets into trouble because he is “simple minded”. He and George are best friends and take care of each other. At the farm they share they're hopes and dreams with some of the other workers.

What I didn't like is that there is no content, this is a short story that focus more on the characters then on the plot. The characters are likeable and well developed, but they are just too boring.

Very hard to see why this is a classic, although it does have a broad appeal by telling such a simple, relatable story.

- simple characters, reminded me of my grandpa farm stories (yawn)
- no plot, nothing exciting happens

Didn't quite appreciate it when I read it as in school, but I still remember a relatively significant chunk of it, given the years that's passed by. That sort of puts in my list of really good books since it's so memorable. A classic tale about two brothers, one looking after the other, and you just know something tragic is going to happen in the end.

Pensei muito sobre os ratos enquanto lia, subsuperficialmente, relacionando eles aos personagens... pelo rebaixamento, pela fragilidade... Todos são vulneráveis no livro, em camadas; uns mais que outros. A idade, o gênero, a raça, o status, a capacidade intelectual... são fragilidades cumulativas que definem a hierarquia da fazenda. No entanto, cada um dos mais rebaixados ganha espaço de fala pelas mãos de Steinbeck, e a oportunidade de reescrever suas primeiras impressões, normalmente indiretas e distorcidas; a maioria por conta própria, mas Lenny ganha essa empatia a partir da própria narração.

A narração, inclusive, contrasta fortemente com a oralidade das falas e destaca esse senso de vulnerabilidade dos personagens, sem nunca, contudo, tratá-los como inferiores. O ritmo do livro também é bem fluido, e a maneira como a história ecoa dentro de si fortalece esse processo, a intensidade dos momentos escalando calmamente até o final. Além disso, a narração também trás momentos idílicos à leitura, descrevendo momentos e espaços de forma bela e breve, quase um respiro a cada capítulo.

Quanto ao enredo em si, ele traz uma imagem muito bonita de sonhos e como uma luz ao longe dá forças para seguir em frente. Mas também é muito sobre duvidar desses sonhos, sobre o mundo real e suas dores, sobre seguir em frente sem a luz.

I am a rarity here.
The last chapter, had my teardrops peeking over my eyelids. The strong friendship and the tragedy later, gives a warm fuzzy feeling. The first 5 chapters, as such didn't really grab my attention. You won't get the point of the story, until you reach the end. So don't leave it midway.

I can admit that I got out of high-school without reading this book not sure what we read in it's place but after reading it today I feel like I was done a very big disservice. This book makes you think, wish and makes you wish for equality and a version of the American dream.

The American Dream has many variations, but always, it is about independence and the pride of being one's own man. Lennie and George want this independence more than most men, but have less than most men to get there. In their case, it isn't a white picket fence, but a farm where they can raise rabbits.

Lennie is not a bright man. He desires to care for someone and to be loved, but is unable to think past his own fear. George tries to protect him, but he too, although smarter than Lennie, is managed by his insecurity and foolishness.

The story surrounds Lennie and George's efforts to get and retain work on ranch near Soledad, and more so, toward their American Dream. The big picture is always with them, but it is the day-by-day difficulties they have with being outsiders. Their intrinsic inability to be free is sheer tragedy, as they both fail again and again to make the right decision.

It's a lonely story about two men who hope more than they can think, who are destined by their misery never to enjoy true companionship and happiness.

A very short but powerful novella. The calls for it to be censored make no sense to me, anyone reading this can see that Steinbeck is clearly empathising with a whole group of disenfranchised characters, the language, racism and sexism are all part of the characters lives and need to be read as a portrayal of reality rather than an author seeking to benefit from exploitation.

TWs: Animal death, misogyny, racism, guns

I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why.

I forgot how sad this book is T____T That ending when they talk about their dream and the home/farm. I wonder how George continues to live on without his "family"/partner by his side. Such a sad story within 100 pages.