This is one of the most depressing books I have ever read and surprisingly, I didn't like it. I read it almost six years ago when I was in high school (this may have influenced my dislike a little). Times were tough. I get it...I didn't cry when I read this. In fact, I know I thought "alright, when's this going to be over"...and the ending was pretty lame, if I remember correctly.
I'm all for revisiting text and authors--I had to try Hemingway many times before I decided I liked him, but I don't think it will be the case with this McCourt memoir-masterpiece.
I had similar sentiments towards this one as I did with Angela's Ashes. A lot of bad things happen and I lost interest midway.
I'm still not convinced this is a great piece of literature, as it is an interesting piece of propaganda. But it was intriguing to know that this book influenced food safety policy by exposing the meat-packing industry. I always thought Hot dogs were weird items for human consumption.
Where Sinclair lost me completely was the end. Socialism as the answer to all problems--gone. Point of no return.
I'm pretty sure everyone has read this American Classic and almost everyone I know thought it was great. I didn't.
Like Angela's Ashes, I read it in high school. Unlike Angela's Ashes, I might consider rereading it. I may have judged Steinbeck a little too harshly and prematurely at the age of 14, or whenever I read it.
The first two, I have never heard of before. But I feel you on The Grapes of Wrath. I read it during my junior(?) year in high school and thought it was a cruel form of torture. Since I did enjoy East of Eden so much I am willing to give this one another shot.
ReplyDeleteSince I didn't really like them, I wouldn't really recommend them haha. Maybe bits and pieces of The Jungle (the descriptions of the terrible practices in the meat-packing industries) but that seems silly to recommend parts of books.
DeleteI'm glad I'm not alone on The Grapes of Wrath--I'll reread it one day and I've heard many good things about East of Eden as well...I'm just no ready to concede defeat to Steinbeck.
Thanks for visiting! I appreciate your thoughts.
Upton Sinclair is what I call a coarse motherfucker. There's not much between the fact and the pen, except maybe...wel you said it, his political beliefs. Oil! was slightly more entertaining, but Paul Thomas Anderson did a great job at dressing the story with interesting visuals.
ReplyDeleteBen,
DeleteSinclair is indeed a coarse s.o.b. I read this for a class on literature and the political imagination (I'm a poli-sci nerd) and had to bullshit so much for this particular book. I started writing about alchemy and all sorts of oddities to make it more interesting for me...and my instructor. She liked the bs, but I still couldn't get behind the book.
Oil! might get read someday...I'll think about it.
Thanks for stopping by.
I can't recall if I've ever read The Grapes of Wrath, but I did see the movie in 10th grade. I don't remember it. That's a book I plan on reading someday down the line.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with you about The Jungle. I enjoyed it quite a bit until the final bits where Sinclair turns the novel into a tract for socialism. That was a problem with several good pieces of literature that came out between the two World Wars, though. Native Son, by Richard Wright, had a similar problem, as I understand.
Man oh man. Native Son. It's been ages. I think I was lukewarm on that one...I remember Jan the communist boyfriend/beacon of light/asshole.
DeleteHave you read it? I almost wrote a spoiler. I completely forgot about Native Son. I'll put it on another list.
I'll reread 'Grapes' one day. I can only shake my head at Sinclair.
Thanks for commenting, Chris.
Nope, haven't read Native Son yet. I read Black Boy and enjoyed it. Richard Wright wrote that one after he got over his communism infatuation.
DeleteI loved Angela's Ashes. Oddly enough, I didn't think it was that depressing.
ReplyDelete...did you think it was funny? I've read that in a few reviews.
DeleteI don't know, its been a really long time, but the book left such a bad taste.
Thanks for visiting, Ryan.