John Steinbeck: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work (Literary A to Z Series)

The author of such classics as East of Eden, Of Mice and Men, The Red Pony, and more, John Steinbeck won a Pulitzer Prize in 1940 for The Grapes of Wrath. He was awarded the 1962 Nobel Prize in literature "for his realistic as well as imaginative writings, distinguished by a sympathetic humour and a keen social perception."

Critical Companion to John Steinbeck celebrates this preeminent American writer who in his works confronted and explored the social fabric of the United States in the early 20th century. More than 500 entries include synopses of his novels, short stories, and nonfiction; descriptions of his characters, from the Joad family in The Grapes of Wrath to Lennie Small in Of Mice and Men; details about family, friends, and associates; information about film and television adaptations of Steinbeck's works; and discussions of places that influenced Steinbeck from Salinas, California to Paris, France.

Coverage includes:

• A concise but comprehensive biography of Steinbeck
• Detailed synopses of, and critical commentary on, Steinbeck's works, including his novels, short stories, dramatic works, and nonfiction
• Discussions of the main characters of major works
• Descriptions of major film and television adaptations
• Entries on family, friends, and places important to Steinbeck
• and more.

Grade 9 Up–This excellent resource is divided into three parts: Biography, Works A-Z, and Related People, Places, and Topics. The first and shortest section provides a summary of Steinbecks birth, early childhood, education, and career. The bulk of the book offers descriptions of all of his works–published and unpublished. Many of these entries include background information, critical summaries, discussions of the works early reception and contemporary perspectives, chapter-by-chapter synopses, information on film adaptations, and further-reading suggestions. Entries in the final section run the gamut from notes on the writers relatives and friends to the name of his high school yearbook. Appendixes include a chronology; chronological, alphabetical, and categorized bibliographies of Steinbecks works; a bibliography of secondary sources; and more. Black-and-white photos of the man and the people and places in his life and works and a few film stills are scattered throughout. A terrific choice for literature students.–Pat Bender, The Shipley School, Bryn Mawr, PA
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The intent of this volume is to provide a "comprehensive review of Steinbeck's life and an examination of his work." The book is divided into four parts. Part 1 provides a biography of Steinbeck, with a nice overview of his life, including details about how his family came to live in California. Part 2 contains information about Steinbeck's works, including novels, essays, articles, and screenplays. Part 3 has information about people, places, and topics related to Steinbeck's works or life. Part 4 consists of appendixes. Dispersed throughout parts 1 through 3 are black-and-white photographs of the author and movie stills.

In part 2, "Works A-Z," entries vary in length from a partial page for magazine articles to several pages for major novels. Entries for works such as The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men contain sections on early criticism and contemporary perspectives as well as a detailed synopsis and descriptions of characters. There is also information on film versions. Many entries contain a "Further Reading" list for additional research. Part 3 is also arranged alphabetically, with entries on family members, filmmakers, fellow writers, and others as well as on topics such as Academy Awards, Farm Security Administration, and Monterey, California. Entries are generally short, although a few longer entries discuss important themes, such as Politics and Steinbeck's fiction.

One of the appendixes is a chronology of Steinbeck's life. Another one contains selected Steinbeck awards and honors with the year and the name of the award. A third contains a listing by year of Steinbeck in film, television, and theater. This is followed by chronological and alphabetical listings of Steinbeck's works and a bibliography of important secondary sources.

This book is suitable for public libraries, high-school libraries, and academic institutions serving an undergraduate population. It is an excellent general resource for everything Steinbeck. Jennifer Dawson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved