of mice and men

john steinbeck (1937)

this must be one of the most popular books of all. it is often on a "favorite books" list and for good reason. it was a very enjoyable book that was also short and easy to read. these are good things. it is written kind of like a play, there is a lot of dialogue. it is easy to picture these two guys, george and lennie, talking about their shared dream. a dream of owning land, having many animals, growing vegetables and "living off the fatta the land".

"it's ten acres," said george. "got a little win'mill. got a little shack on it, an' a chicken run. got a kitchen, orchard, cherries, apples, peaches, 'cots, nuts, got a few berries. they's a place for alfalfa and plenty water to flood it. they's a pig pen--...

all kin's a vegetables in the garden, and if we want a little whisky we can sell a few eggs or something, or some milk. we'd jus' live there. we'd belong there...no, sir, we'd have our own place where we belonged and not sleep in no bunk house."

george is the brains and lennie is his partner/friend/follower. lennie is a big, strong guy who is mentally slow and doesn't mean to hurt anyone but does. all he wants is this dream. the two are not related but may as well be because george feels it is his duty to look after lennie. they move from job to job trying to earn money to fulfill their dream and end up at a ranch in soledad, california.

it's a story about friendship, trust, a bond stronger than blood, life as a drifter/ranch worker, about having a dream and planning how to reach that dream. it's a story as much about george as it is about lennie. although george feels it is his responsibility to take care of lennie and doesn't feel like it's a burden, it is a daily struggle. lennie depends on george for everything - finding work, food and even thinking/speaking for him.

there are a few interesting characters that make this a fun read, including lennie who is likable and reminds me of ethan suplee's character in cold mountain (pangle), a slow-witted but jolly big guy. in fact if i were to make this into a movie i'd probably have him play lennie. george is described as "small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose" and quite quick witted, i'd have to go with edward norton to play him. there have been a couple versions of this book on film and stage and it is easy to see it playing vividly in your head as well. great book.