Grapes of Wrath

Amazing novel by John Steinbeck, a classic no doubt. The use of local language, and style of presentation has a dramatic effect. There are commentary chapters about farmers leaving their land in search of work and money, interspersed with the story of the Joad family.

Each of the chapters described well how one by one the characters leave their moving family. Finally Tom, the son who killed a second man, leaves, and there is little or ho hope. But now and then, hope trickles in. The children's mother is extraordinarily strong. The surviving men help her by keepin together the remaining family.

Through all the suffering, help comes in in some way or the other. There was no work, but somehow the people earned a few cents and dollars, and the members dragged along.

The end is optimistic. The poor helps the poor. Rose of Sharon loses her baby, who is born dead. But she gives life to a dying man by giving him her milk. A striking, innovative, real end.

All throughout, the feeling is of a real family suffering.