#41: John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men
Whenever asked about my favorite books, Steinbeck always makes his way into my mental lists. Naturally, I have started rationing out his books because there is only so much we have. If you’ve read other works by Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men will be comfortably familiar. Like Pastures of Heaven, its descriptive language is unparalleled. The storyline itself is incredibly simple yet complex. We meet the protagonists right away—the giant and childlike Lennie and his pal George. We soon learn that Lennie is mentally disabled and George has taken Lennie under his wing after making a promise to take care of him to Lennie’s Aunt Clara. Lennie loves holding soft things, like mice and rabbits, and requires a small rotation of “soft things” because he does not fully comprehend his own physical capacities and strength. 
Lennie and George have a common dream, which is soon shared by another ranch hand, Candy. The road to happiness for these men involves a small piece of land, where they will be able to harvest their own vegetables, instead of working for other ranchers. A few animals. Lennie wants rabbits. He is craving the companionship and the responsibility of taking care of rabbits. During his darker times, George complains about not being able to settle down in one place; about Lennie getting him in trouble. This is a cruel world. It has little regard for Lennie’s disabilities. It has little regard for anyone’s disabilities. 

#41: John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men

Whenever asked about my favorite books, Steinbeck always makes his way into my mental lists. Naturally, I have started rationing out his books because there is only so much we have. If you’ve read other works by Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men will be comfortably familiar. Like Pastures of Heaven, its descriptive language is unparalleled. The storyline itself is incredibly simple yet complex. We meet the protagonists right away—the giant and childlike Lennie and his pal George. We soon learn that Lennie is mentally disabled and George has taken Lennie under his wing after making a promise to take care of him to Lennie’s Aunt Clara. Lennie loves holding soft things, like mice and rabbits, and requires a small rotation of “soft things” because he does not fully comprehend his own physical capacities and strength. 

Lennie and George have a common dream, which is soon shared by another ranch hand, Candy. The road to happiness for these men involves a small piece of land, where they will be able to harvest their own vegetables, instead of working for other ranchers. A few animals. Lennie wants rabbits. He is craving the companionship and the responsibility of taking care of rabbits. During his darker times, George complains about not being able to settle down in one place; about Lennie getting him in trouble. This is a cruel world. It has little regard for Lennie’s disabilities. It has little regard for anyone’s disabilities.