I loved it I hated it.

I’m simply baffled. Did I miss something? I can’t wait to suggest this for book club.

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Beautifully read, Poetic....but....

Steinbeck at his most observant and poetic.
Clever narrative trick of shifting from the third person to the first and back again.
The wry observations on life from the viewpoint of a somewhat disappointed store clerk and a voyage around his town and their characters.
Beautifully read but....

What if the narrator had used a less whimsical, wry and reflective tone to his voice?
The text suggests that it could easily have been read with a more bitter and resentful tone....in which case the book would have had quite a different meaning...and the closing episode may have made a little more sense.
As it is I felt the hero merely shrugged his reflective, philosophical shoulders and carried on.....

A minor quibble - it was a very enjoyable book & truly brought to life.

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John Steinbeck wrote another masterpiece.

Last novel. As good as East Of Eden. I loved it. Story full of morality, well created characters and narrated in a beautiful rolling voice.

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a missed opportunity

A most unfortunate choice of narrator manages to make what I'm sure is actually an impressive final work into little more than a flimsy b-movie.
if it were an aircraft, this narration never gets the plane further than taxiing aimlessly around the runway.

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Thank goodness for Jeff Harding the narrator

I would never have read this book if it hadn't been for my "stalking" of Jeff Harding on Audible
Not my normal genre at all and what a fantastic surprise- made accessible by the narrator

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Undiscovered Treasure

I thought that I knew all of Steinbeck's major works, so was surprised to find this - his last novel. It totally captivated me. Steinbeck writes in a confident, relaxed style. He does not avoid the complexity of the thought patterns of his protagonist We are taken inside his mind and see his world as he experiences it.
The reading completely supports the intention of the author. This has been a compelling and satisfying listen.

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Slightly disappointing

I enjoyed this book but not as much as other Steinbeck works. Excellent narration though.

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Outstanding; soul searching with humour

Grapes of Wrath is one of my favourite books. But I’m not familiar with Steinbeck’s lesser known works. This is outstanding and there’s unexpected humour throughout. It’s a soul searching small town tale, with a choices around right and wrong. Muddled along it take a risk for a better future.

To my surprise, I found this totally gripping. Some 70 years after publication it remains relevant and spellbinding. Miss this gem at your peril.

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The Reader Was Perfect!

I enjoyed this story of Ethan Hawley & loved the reader!

I enjoyed the relationship between the Hawley’s & between Ethan & his past.

It was interesting to be working out, how Ethan could accomplish the fortune teller’s future for him & to see how he worked this out.

I thought the suicide attempt was weak & taking his own life was not something that Ethan would, in my opinion, do.

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I had no idea

This story is amazing; twists and turns, descriptions, the jokes and the insights. Such good value to listen to. And the voices! Where on earth does one man find so many voices: just wonderful.

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