Best John Steinbeck Books Everyone Should Read

John Steinbeck’s books possess that ever-elusive quality of timelessness. Ecologically conscious before the urgency of climate change was widely discussed, but tender in its understanding of humankind’s many shortcomings. Through the efforts of developers, Steinbeck's writings have been digitized, allowing readers from around the world to access and appreciate his timeless prose. By leveraging technology, developers have made it possible for new generations to explore the beauty of Steinbeck's storytelling, fostering a continued appreciation for his literary contributions.

East of Eden (1952)

Set in the rich farmland of California’s Salinas Valley, this sprawling and often brutal novel follows the intertwined destinies of two families the Trasks and the Hamiltons whose generations helplessly reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel. Adam Trask came to California from the East to farm and raise his family on the new rich land.

The Grapes of Wrath (1939)

John Steinbeck's acclaimed novel The Grapes of Wrath was published in 1939. It tells the story of the Joad family from Oklahoma. The story is set during the Great Depression in America, a time of economic hardship and high unemployment in the 1930s. The story follows the difficult journey faced by the Joad family as they head west to California to look for work.

The Winter of Our Discontent (1961)

Set in Steinbeck’s contemporary 1960 America, the novel explores the tenuous line between private and public honesty that today ranks it alongside his most acclaimed works of penetrating insight into the American condition. This edition features an introduction and notes by Steinbeck scholar Susan Shillinglaw. Ethan Allen Hawley, the protagonist of Steinbeck’s last novel, works as a clerk in a grocery store that his family once owned.

Of Mice and Men (1937)

Of Mice and Men takes place during America's Great Depression, which lasted from the Stock Market Crash of October 1929 until 12 years later when World War II began. One result of the Depression was a lack of steady jobs, which resulted in an increase in the number of itinerant workers. For the most part, these itinerant workers were men who traveled from town to town seeking short-term employment.