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The Grapes of Wrath

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The Grapes of Wrath

Written by: John Steinbeck, Robert DeMott
Narrated by: Dylan Baker
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About this listen

John Steinbeck's powerful evocation of the suffering and hardship caused by the Great Depression, and a panoramic vision of the struggle for the American Dream, The Grapes of Wrath includes a critical introduction by Robert DeMott in Penguin Modern Classics. "I've done my damndest to rip a reader's nerves to rags, I don't want him satisfied".

Shocking and controversial when it was first published in 1939, Steinbeck's Pulitzer prize-winning epic The Grapes of Wrath remains his undisputed masterpiece. Set against the background of Dust Bowl Oklahoma and Californian migrant life, it tells of Tom Joad and his family, who, like thousands of others, are forced to travel west in search of the promised land. Their story is one of false hopes, thwarted desires, and broken dreams, yet out of their suffering Steinbeck created a drama that is intensely human, yet majestic in its scale and moral vision. Adapted into a celebrated film directed by John Ford, and starring Henry Fonda, The Grapes of Wrath is an eloquent tribute to the endurance and dignity of the human spirit.

John Steinbeck (1902-68), winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the Nobel Prize for literature, is remembered as one of the greatest and best-loved American writers of the 20th century. During the Second World War Steinbeck served as a war correspondent, with his collected dispatches published as Once There Was a War (1958); in 1945 he was awarded the Norwegian Cross of Freedom for his novel The Moon is Down (1942), a portrayal of Resistance efforts in northern Europe. His best-known works include the epics The Grapes of Wrath (1939) and East of Eden (1952), and his tragic novella Of Mice and Men (1937). John Steinbeck's complete works are published in Penguin Modern Classics. If you liked The Grapes of Wrath, you might enjoy East of Eden, also available in Penguin Classics.

©1939 John Steinbeck (P)2011 Penguin
Classics Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Fiction Heartfelt Dream Tearjerking War Mental Health High School Rage
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What the critics say

"It is Steinbeck's best novel, i.e., his toughest and tenderest, his roughest written and most mellifluous, his most realistic and, in its ending, his most melodramatic, his angriest and most idyllic. It is great in the way that Unlce Tom's Cabin was great. One of the most impassioned and exciting books of the year." (Time)

"One comes away moved, indignant, protesting, pitying. A fiery document of protest and compassion, as a story that had to be told, as a book that must be read." (Louis Kronenberger, The Nation)

"A novelist who is also a true poet" (Sunday Times)

What listeners say about The Grapes of Wrath

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing read masterfully written.

such an amazing story with relevant lessons. its a humbling reflection on past a collapse. I find myself drawing parallels to modern times. I really like the poetic nature of the short setup chapters. Steinbeck brings to life the perrels of this one family and the dynamic struggle of life during their terrible subijgation of capitalist progression.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

It’s no wonder this is an American classic. Beautifully written with the perfect narrator. Loved every minute of this heartfelt story. The bonds of family and friends

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

Absolutely brilliant. I always enjoy John Steinbeck’s books, but especially liked this one. I think perhaps it was the pace, not rushing onto the next thing, but moving slowly from moment to moment, painting the scene with his words. Complex characters, beautifully revealed. Poignant. Great narration.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brought me to tears

Wonderfully written and read. Intriguing and heart wrenching. Vividly captures the sheer brutality and inhumanity of capitalist greed.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Great performance,..... but No Climax...?

I probably had high expectations for this book considering i had just read The East Of Eden, my first book by John Steinbeck.,,,,,it ,became one of my favorites
Grapes of Wrath was relatively slower and a longer read. All the time i was hoping there will be a climax where
the anger of the people portrayed to have lost everything in the book was going to lead to a revolt of some sort which would in turn lead to change etc for the greater good of all ..... so for me, i would say it was not my best.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping, heartbreaking and wonderfully performed

This is a wonderful book, unsparing in its descriptions of human suffering but so full of humanity and empathy. The written style is masterfully evocative and poetic. Dylan Baker’s reading is absolutely brilliant - beautifully paced and sonorous, with the characters’ accents so varied and engaging. This is, all round, an impeccable production: one of the very best anywhere on Audible.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Tragic tale, frightening is it's modern resonance.

Banks and the markets are revealed to be evil, heartless machines that grind the poor to their death

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good read

Good history and a well told story. Helps you keep your current problems in perspective. Worth your time.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book. Harmonica too loud though.

Great listen except for the harmonica. I understand why they added it in but it was super loud compared to the narration.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Poignant and engrossing; this extraordinary novel is thoroughly captivating

This is one of the best audible novels to which I have ever listened. I was thoroughly captivated by the story, the characters, the virtuoso narration by Dylan Baker and feel truly blessed to have experienced this seminal work between Christmas and New Year’s 2022. Just wonderful!

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