CLASSICAL GAS-Steinbeck's THE GRAPES OF WRATH: RGBIB 421

[@cy4194]

I really think Grapes of Wrath has the greatest ending I've ever read. There an epic inevitability about it that's both tragic and beautiful.

[@Scottmbradfield]

It is, you're right on all counts. But quite upsetting, I sort of dreaded getting to it this time...s

[@larrycarr4562]

Beautiful passage of the farm basket… 🤞for a bountiful crop & harvest… 👍🛁

[@davidramnero6126]

Hello Scott, I have looked through many of your episodes and never seen a mention of Melville, the great whale himself. What do you think about bringing Moby-Dick into the bathtub? Would you prefer not to? Another couple of authors I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on are Roberto Bolaño and Ágota Kristóf, both thoroughly bathtub compatible if you ask me. All the best, / David

[@davidhogan7020]

Scott, thanks for the lovely remarks about rhis essential part of the American canon. Steinbeck's powers of description--marked by simple language of great profundity--are immense and moving. I did a re-read in the last year (of a replica first edition, which was fun). We have a Rose of Sharon in the front garden, and each time I enjoy its blossoms, I think of Steinbeck's kind and abiding Rose.

[@Scottmbradfield]

Welcome to the bathtub, David, and enjoy your summer among the roses! s

[@jessicafrayne4671]

This is great! I love Steinbeck - I was introduced via East of Eden during COVID I couldn't believe I had not read him before then.

[@Scottmbradfield]

Yeah he's really good, and I loved EAST OF EDEN too... s

[@excelsiorathletic]

Hell Yeah! I need to read TGoW again. Haven't seen 'In dubious battle' but the Benson biography is excellent. Thanks for reading those passages. To think Steinbeck was dismissed by the literati in his own country!

[@Scottmbradfield]

Yeah it's sort of like the way London writers disdain writers from outside London... Californians are viewed with suspicion by the NY literati... s

[@scottlyons33]

This is my 3rd favorite American novel. I cried at the end. It's very beautiful.

[@larrycarr4562]

One of the few 😢55+ yrs… too long… need to go back in the 🛁, thanks Scott.

[@Scottmbradfield]

It is beautiful and filled with things worth crying about! Welcome to the bathtub, Scott! s

[@omarcook3663]

Haven't checked out Grapes of Wrath yet but I am currently reading through East of Eden as my first ever John Steinbeck book. I like it.

[@Scottmbradfield]

Welcome to the bathtub, Omar. Yeah, I read EDEN for first time about seven years ago and loved it... the movie is sort of good too. s

[@tectorgorch8698]

My favorite is To A God Unknown. I love how the protagonist "sees" his dead father flying through the air above him as he treks west. Keep searching for Karate Is A Thing Of The Spirit, I believe that one is Crews's masterpiece and I'm waiting for Penguin to print me -- us -- a fresh copy of it.

[@Scottmbradfield]

I like GOD UNKNOWN too but it's a weird book... I used to have KARATE but seem to have lost it, and now it costs mega bucks in any edition on EBay! Yes, maybe Penguin will carry on! s

[@cy4194]

That passage about the abandoned houses reminds me of Bradbury's "There Will Come Soft Rains," perhaps he (Bradbury) was influenced by it.

[@Scottmbradfield]

Yeah Bradbury and Steinbeck do share a sense of lyricism, quite gentle prose in many ways... s

[@jeanf8998]

😂I can’t tell the difference between Putin and Nancy Pelosi.

[@Scottmbradfield]

Me neither. But then, who'd want to? Thanks for stopping by the bathtub, Jean! s

[@thomashunt413]

Biden confused Putin and Zelensky.

[@thomashunt413]

Why all the Biden negativity in a book review ?