Of Mice and Men Book Review by Abhiram Singireddy

 Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is a story about two men, namely George and Lennie who look to work their way towards their American Dream. George and Lennie look to acquire a farm of their own where they will be able to take care of their very own rabbits. The two men seek employment during the Great Depression and eventually find it at a ranch in the West. George is a small and quirk character who has strong hands, while Lennie is described as a huge man who is used to walking heavily with his shoulders sloped. Lennie looks to fulfil his dream and is likewise supported by George who agrees to help him in his endeavors. The introduction of Curley who is the son of George and Lennie's boss, serves to show the reader how fragile dreams are and how they can be destroyed within a matter of minutes. Steinbeck's language allows for you to empathize with the two farm workers as they look to create a better future for themselves. The writing is simple and easy to understand, even as the plot has many twists and turns that leave you on the edge of your seat. Of Mice and Men is more centered on dialogue rather than narration and reads like a play. There are other characters in this novel yet they are not as well crafted as George and Lennie. In addition, the plot can be repetitive at times throughout the course of the book. Steinbeck looks to represent the harsh conditions that the working class were plagued with during the Great Depression and its aftermath. He also made the relationships between the characters understandable, in the sense that he provided the reason why George is friends with Lennie despite all the trouble that he involves himself in. George is able to protect Lennie as they both enjoy each other's company. George and Lennie are likeable characters and as the reader, you want them to succeed even if you fear the worst. The reason why this novel is regarded as a classic is because Steinbeck is able to describe each and every scene with such vivid detail, that it feels as though you are in the character's place. Overall, Of Mice and Men was an enjoyable read and I recommend it to anyone who is looking to read a book that they will find hard to put down. I would rate this book an 8/10.