Customer Reviews for

Of Mice and Men

Average Rating 4
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2 Star

(38)

1 Star

(34)

Most Helpful Favorable Review

10 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

Instant Classic

This book is an instant classic in my eyes and will never die down because this is a book that can keep anybody of any age and of any IQ reading it over and over, i know it did that to me. this is one book i would always want to have around because its a short read ( 10...Read More
This book is an instant classic in my eyes and will never die down because this is a book that can keep anybody of any age and of any IQ reading it over and over, i know it did that to me. this is one book i would always want to have around because its a short read ( 100 or so pages ) that will captivate you in many ways.Show Less

posted by Bran on April 2, 2009

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Most Helpful Critical Review

4 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

A tragic play, but with long scene descriptions

I was not very impressed by this book. The story was simple, the characters sympathetic and, but for a few exceptions, well drawn out, and the final twist of events was emotionaly impactive. But that's about all I can say that's good about this book. The writing styl...Read More
I was not very impressed by this book. The story was simple, the characters sympathetic and, but for a few exceptions, well drawn out, and the final twist of events was emotionaly impactive. But that's about all I can say that's good about this book. The writing style was flat, textureless, and has about as much personality as the clean white paper it was printed on. Each chapter was very forumlaic, opening with a studied description of a new pastoral setting. From then on, the book read almost like a play, with very little other than dialogue to give the story atmosphere and character. I understand that Steinbeck was trying to create a simplistic style the impact of which was its starkness and its terseness. But I believe him to have erred too far to this direction in his attempt. While the story was good, there was little character to the writing. This is not something I would read again, and I probably would not return to Steinbeck for pleasure.Show Less

posted by MLucero on April 26, 2009

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  • Posted April 2, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    Instant Classic

    This book is an instant classic in my eyes and will never die down because this is a book that can keep anybody of any age and of any IQ reading it over and over, i know it did that to me. this is one book i would always want to have around because its a short read ( 100 or so pages ) that will captivate you in many ways.

    10 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted May 29, 2009

    Great book

    love this book, it was highly recommended for me by my brother and all my teachers. It is a classic and i was happy to add it to my book shelf. it now holds a place in my heart. Currently, i am making all my friends read it and of the few who I've made read it so far, they absolutely loved it. It is a fantastic book i reccomened it to everyone.

    6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 1, 2000

    GREAT BOOK (possibly the greatest book of all time)

    John Steinbeck has really outdone himself with this masterpiece. He portrays how misunderstanding people can be at times. He shows the true meaning of companionship within these two characters. They remain friends through the thick and thin as if they were brothers. I strongly urge you to buy this masterpiece.

    5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted July 13, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    Great Classic

    I had to read this book for my tenth grade English class. Generally I do not like stories that take place back in the day. However, I LOVED this novel. Maybe it was because it is so well known around the world. John Steinbeck created such amazing characters, and the events that occurred always kept me at the edge of my seat. I hated when the bell rang because I knew I would have to wait until the next day in class to see what would happen. Everyone should read this at some point. The movie was just as great, also!

    4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted April 26, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    A tragic play, but with long scene descriptions

    I was not very impressed by this book. The story was simple, the characters sympathetic and, but for a few exceptions, well drawn out, and the final twist of events was emotionaly impactive. But that's about all I can say that's good about this book. The writing style was flat, textureless, and has about as much personality as the clean white paper it was printed on. Each chapter was very forumlaic, opening with a studied description of a new pastoral setting. From then on, the book read almost like a play, with very little other than dialogue to give the story atmosphere and character. I understand that Steinbeck was trying to create a simplistic style the impact of which was its starkness and its terseness. But I believe him to have erred too far to this direction in his attempt. While the story was good, there was little character to the writing. This is not something I would read again, and I probably would not return to Steinbeck for pleasure.

    4 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 1, 2010

    One of the best books I've ever read

    John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" was stimulating to say the least. The plot was strong, the characters were interesting, and the writing styles of John Steinbeck never let me down. When I started, I didn't get up until I was done. The book may have been only about one hundred pages, but I was sucked in as soon as I started
    The story begins with two weary travelers walking down an old path to a watering hole. George and Lorraine, as you soon learn they are called, are talking about a future that they have been working towards. They want to buy a small house in the country where they can live off the fat of the land, raising animals and growing crops. The two men could be called opposites, but they are working together for their goal. George was described as a small quick witted man, while Lorraine was massive and gentle, but mildly retarded.
    Lorraine and George work at a ranch down in California for a while. Their goal in the story would be accomplished in a few short weeks, but an accidental murder by Lorraine stops them in their tracks. From there everything goes downhill, in an epic ending that is a real heart throb.
    After I finished "Of Mice And Men" I felt melancholy to say the least. I locked myself up in my room, and listened to really depressing music for awhile. It was a very sad ending, but I'm still very glad I read it. John Steinbeck is an author matched by no other, with descriptions and plots untouched by any.
    I would suggest "Of Mice and Men" to anyone. Along with all other of Steinbeck's works, it is a truly epic tale. Although it is similar to Steinbeck's other writings, "Of Mice and Men" is a bit more interesting and has a good fast pace. One of the best books I've ever read can be said with ease.

    2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 1, 2010

    depressing and sypethetic

    There are two farmers, George and Lennie, whom are following their dreams.George and Lennie travel across the country by foot to follow their dreams. They need to find work, so they land on a farm to work. George looks after Lennie because he has a mental illness and acts like a 5 year old. He is a very nice man. There are many reasons they left town, read it to find out. They are very strong men to have traveled so far. They are almost like brothers. George definitely has to be strong to be able to take care of Lennie and the hardships they encounter throughout the novel.The hardships Lennie and George encounter are realizations of life. No matter what happens to any of us, time keeps turning. It is a sad novel, but describes thoughtfulness from George to Lennie throughout the book. I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to anyone.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 16, 2009

    Of Mice and Men

    Set in the 1930s, John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men depicts the nomadic lives of George Milton and Lennie Small. The two men travel together, but are as different as can be. George is a small, intelligent man, while Lennie is an incredibly large man with the intellect of a child. Though the two are complete opposites, they are each other's family. This tale encompasses the thematic ideas of everlasting friendship as well as the unreachable American Dream. Steinbeck is able to integrate these topics brilliantly into a single novel, one that the reader will not put down until it is completed. The timeless themes within this book and the way they are presented are what truly sets it apart from any other cliché Western novel. Not only do George and Lennie, the protagonists of the novel, seek an undying friendship, but the other men working on the ranch, long for that same companionship. They all crave the brotherhood that results in fidelity to one another and an unspoken bond that can never be broken. Steinbeck flawlessly portrays his characters as they search for this ideal friendship. The author also successfully illustrates the unfeasibility of the American Dream. The reader is made aware throughout the book that almost every character has once envisioned themselves living an alternate life; one filled with absolute contentment and complete serenity. The fact that not a single character has attained their dream shows that the idealized American Dream is impossible to truly achieve. John Steinbeck does a phenomenal job in displaying the ambition and certainty that the characters possessed towards reaching their variation of the Dream, as well as the hopelessness and gloom they experience upon realizing the impossibility of it. The desires that John Steinbeck so eloquently incorporates into Of Mice and Men are timeless and easily relatable. Any reader can feel instantly connected to the characters and their struggles. This remarkable novel leaves the reader utterly captivated and with a sense that hopes and dreams may not be all that you can count on to get you through in life.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 13, 2012

    Amazing!!!!

    I had to read this book @ my school in 7th grade. This book is very touching. I love love love the foreshadowing in this book. The language the characters use, is a bit much but, when I read it I just skipped the profanity. This book is very imsightful. A must read for ages 11 and up.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted January 17, 2012

    It was alright - Not the best book i ever read

    John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men was one of the worst books i have read to date. I had to read it for my English class. It was interesting at times but when it wasn't interesting i found my myself thinking about what my schedule for school was the next day. The non interesting parts outweighed the interesting parts so much, (in my opinion) I probably will never read another John Steinbeck book again. It started off pretty solid and I thought I was going to like it but in the last few chapters it was just awful. plus how George kills Lennie at the end just put the cherry on top of one of the worst books i have ever read.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted June 3, 2011

    Two words

    Hated it!

    1 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 1, 2010

    short,but good book

    I thought this book was very short and easy, that is one reason why I picked it. The second reason was because my mom said it was a great book. This book was only 107 pages, so it did not take very long to read it all. I like "old timey" books. I think they are more interesting and its fun to find what it was like back then. Lennie and George are the main characters in this book. They move around a lot, because Lennie always gets himself in trouble. The setting takes place in Califonia. When they finally find a place to stay, some one starts trouble with Lennie. George always tells Lennie be quiet and go with the flow. Lennie is big and strong like a bull. On the other hand, George is short and stubby, with a darker face. George and Lennie had a dream of starting their own ranch, if only Lennie was good. Like I said before, this book was very short. And I thought it would be easy but it was not. I could not understand some of the language and words. It was very colloquil.I have never read a book by John Steinback, so I can't really say it was my favorite book by him, But so far this was a great book. Over all, I thought this book was a great book. I would recommend this book yo people who like " old timey" books as well as I do. Also for teens about my age.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted June 24, 2010

    Left me feeling melancholy, but in a good way

    Of Mice and Men follows the journey of two friends, George and Lennie, as they attempt to fulfill their American dream of owning their own land. George and Lennie work as temporary farmhands who move from ranch to ranch as they look for work. Lennie, who is not intelligent, sometimes complicates the process by getting them into trouble, but rather than abandon him, George sticks up for him and protects him. Just when George and Lennie are the closest they've ever been, a tragedy interrupts their plans. You'll have to read the book to find out what it is!

    I have read Steinbeck before and so am familiar with his writing style, but this book is one of my favorites. Steinbeck has an ability to capture a grand story in a short book, something I admire very much. Again, this book is a very short read and a great introduction for the beginning classics reader and a great break for the practiced one.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 1, 2010

    Good Book

    Of Mice and Men
    My name is Michael. I am a junior at Holt High School and had to read this book for my English class. Of Mice and Men is a book about two guys, who were best friends. Their names were George and Lennie. George was the normal one (his head worked fine) and Lennie was the slow one (his head wasn't all there). George looked after Lennie as Lennie looked after George. This book is about George and Lennie's relationship together and their life. In the book, George and Lennie go to work on a farm because they can make money and stay there. Lennie always keeps to himself but one day that doesn't work and something happens. Lennie runs away from the farm, but he's only followed. George is now stuck between his best friend and his own life. What will he choose to do?
    Some things I liked about this book are that it shows a strong friendship between two indivuduals and displays a strong sense of love they have for each other. Another thing I liked was George and Lennie never gave up and they never stoped believeing in owning their own farm someday. Another thing I liked was how George always put up with Lennie, no matter what Lennie did George never left him. Things I didn't like about the book was how Curley would always mess with Lennie and Lennie wouldn't do anything about it because he didn't know what to do. I also didn't like the fact that the black guy that worked on the farm had to sleep in the barn with the pigs where it stunk. That's not right.
    I recommend this book to kids because kids make fun of retarded kids in school all the time and its wrong. They are people, too, and deserve to be treated with respect and not be made fun of. This book starts off very boring but once you get into it, you will like it. This book is a sad story, but there's a feel good theme to it. I give this book five stars and recommend anyone to read it.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted May 18, 2010

    Classic

    This is a must read for evetyone!

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted February 21, 2010

    Mice & Men

    Of mice and Men is a story about two migrant workers which are George and Lennie. The Main problem in the story was that one of them (Lennie) had mental problems. It made the life for George a little more complicated. Migrant workers usually dont travel in groups, but due to Lennies condition he wasnt able to live by himself. The way the book is written draws you into the story of these two men and later on will also make you feel sympathy for not only George but also for Lennie. I am not the person who will ruin this story for you but it personally did have its extremly sad parts. Their trouble started when they were at a bar in Weed. Lennie was interested in a girl he met there. Keep in mind that Lennie does have a problem. He has a child like obsession with things that have a nice feeling to them. The girl at the bar was wearing a dress which he couldnt resist to feel. He felt it for a while which began to scare her. The screaming only made things worse as he held on tighter due to him being scared as well and clueless of what to do. George took Lennie out of the situation and they together ran out of town. They could no longer stay because the lady had accused Lennie of rape. This part of the book had caught me and made me feel only the worst pain; pain for what these two people had to go through and will throughout the book. They moved on as one and made their way to a new ranch. Lennie is also a very big built man who could easily intimidate someone with his size. This is what he had done to Curley, who is the boss's son. Curley has a wife on the farm. The wife in the story does not have a name. This is to not give her no individuality. She does something near the end of the story which results in a big mess. Before the big problem she caused, she had found out about an accident Lennie had done with a puppy he was trying to hide. The puppy had been killed by Lennie petting him too hard and when She had walked into the barn she knew he had killed it.She in my opinion knew Lennie enough to know her boundaries with him which she clearly jumped right over.She knew exactly what Lennies problem was and what he was capable of doing to not only just the puppy. This is one of the parts of the story that makes me furious. It blows my mind away that she lacked so much intelligence to the point were she basically killed herself with the actions she had commited.There is one main part of the story im leaving out which I am doing so for a reason. Its the ending and it happens shortly after the part with Lennie and the nameless wife of Curley. The ending was to be expected but still very sad. I highly recommend this book to anyone. It shows true friendship, determination and companionship. This book does
    change the way you treat your friends with no doubt.
    It shows what George had to go through with Lennie and that he did it willingly with respect and love.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted December 12, 2009

    Of Mice and Men

    This was a thrilling book about two men, Lennie and George, who are complete opposites and don't get along very well but do care about each other. It is George and Lennie's dream to buy a house and farm of their own but never manage to keep a job because Lennie always messes it up because he is mentally slow. They then find a job at a farm in California to work until Lennie starts to fall for a flirtatious woman. Will George and Lennie make their dream come true and buy their own house or will Lennie fall for this flirtatious woman and mess his and George's life completely up?

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 18, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    Of Mice and Men

    A good classic and an afternoon read.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 10, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    A book filled with detail

    Of Mice and Men was assigned to me on my summer reading list and i absoltutely loved it i loved the symbolism with Curley's wife. and the foreshadowing with Candy's dog....you have to read it to know what im talking about...but this book has lots of detail and makes it very easy to see the plot and setting. I also thought the characters had great unique qualities and i also believe this book had great life lessons for all ages. It is a great read and you'll love it!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted August 27, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    One of The Best

    I read this book in the 5th grade. Still can remember how good it was. The climax is riviting and exciting. Would recommend to anyone.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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