a&e biography john steinbeck

John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck was an American novelist who is known for works such as the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, 'The Grapes of Wrath,' as well as 'Of Mice and Men' and 'East of Eden.'

(1902-1968)

Who Was John Steinbeck?

John Steinbeck was a Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist and the author of Of Mice and Men , The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden. Steinbeck dropped out of college and worked as a manual laborer before achieving success as a writer. His works often dealt with social and economic issues. His 1939 novel, The Grapes of Wrath , about the migration of a family from the Oklahoma Dust Bowl to California, won a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award. Steinbeck served as a war correspondent during World War II, and he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962.

Early Life and Education

John Ernst Steinbeck Jr. was born on February 27, 1902, in Salinas, California. Steinbeck was raised with modest means. His father, John Ernst Steinbeck, tried his hand at several different jobs to keep his family fed: He owned a feed-and-grain store, managed a flour plant and served as treasurer of Monterey County. His mother, Olive Hamilton Steinbeck, was a former schoolteacher.

For the most part, Steinbeck — who grew up with three sisters — had a happy childhood. He was shy but smart. He formed an early appreciation for the land and in particular California's Salinas Valley, which would greatly inform his later writing. According to accounts, Steinbeck decided to become a writer at the age of 14, often locking himself in his bedroom to write poems and stories.

In 1919, Steinbeck enrolled at Stanford University — a decision that had more to do with pleasing his parents than anything else — but the budding writer would prove to have little use for college.

Over the next six years, Steinbeck drifted in and out of school, eventually dropping out for good in 1925, without a degree.

Following Stanford, Steinbeck tried to make a go of it as a freelance writer. He briefly moved to New York City, where he found work as a construction worker and a newspaper reporter, but then returned to California, where he took a job as a caretaker in Lake Tahoe and began his writing career.

John Steinbeck’s Books

Steinbeck wrote 31 books over the course of his career. His most well-known novels include Of Mice and Men (1937), Grapes of Wrath (1939) and East of Eden (1952).

'Of Mice and Men' (1937)

Two poor migrant workers, George and Lennie, are working for the American dream in California during the Great Depression. Lennie, who has a mild mental disability, is steadfastly faithful to his friend George, but he has a habit of getting into trouble. Their goal: to own an acre of land and a shack. After they both secure jobs working the fields of the Salinas Valley — Steinbeck’s own hometown — their dream seems more attainable than ever. However, Lennie’s inclinations eventually get him into trouble again, spiraling to a tragic conclusion for both men. The book was later transformed into a Broadway play and three movies.

'The Grapes of Wrath' (1939)

Widely considered Steinbeck's finest and most ambitious novel, this book tells the story of a dispossessed Oklahoma family and their struggle to carve out a new life in California at the height of the Great Depression, the book captured the mood and angst of the nation during this time period. At the height of its popularity, The Grapes of Wrath sold 10,000 copies per week.

'The Pearl' (1947)

This story, based on a Mexican folktale, explores human nature and the potential of love. Kino, a poor diver who gathers pearls from the ocean floor, lives with his wife Juana and their infant son Coyotito by the sea. On the same day Coyotito is stung by a scorpion and is turned away by the town doctor because they can’t afford care, Kino finds the largest pearl he’s ever seen on one of his dives. The pearl, which brings the potential of great fortune, ignites the neighbors’ jealousy, eventually becoming a dangerous agent of evil.

'East of Eden' (1952)

Once again set in Steinbeck’s hometown of Salinas, California, this story follows the intersecting stories of two farming families, the Trasks and the Hamiltons, from the Civil War to World War I, as their lives reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the rivalry of Cain and Abel. The book was later adapted into a 1955 film directed by Elia Kazan and starring James Dean in his first major movie role. Dean was later nominated for an Academy Award for his performance, which he received posthumously.

Some of Steinbeck’s other works include Cup of Gold (1929), The Pastures of Heaven (1932) and To a God Unknown (1933), all of which received tepid reviews. It wasn't until Tortilla Flat (1935), a humorous novel about paisano life in the Monterey region was released, that the writer achieved real success.

Steinbeck struck a more serious tone with In Dubious Battle (1936) and The Long Valley (1938), a collection of short stories. He continued to write in his later years, with credits including Cannery Row (1945), Burning Bright (1950), The Winter of Our Discontent (1961) and Travels with Charley: In Search of America (1962).

In 1940, Steinbeck earned a Pulitzer Prize for The Grapes of Wrath . In 1962, the author received the Nobel Prize for Literature — "for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humour and keen social perception." Upon receiving the award, Steinbeck said the writer’s duty was “dredging up to the light our dark and dangerous dreams for the purpose of improvement.”

During World War II, Steinbeck served as a war correspondent for the New York Herald Tribune .

Around this same time, he traveled to Mexico to collect marine life with friend Edward F. Ricketts, a marine biologist. Their collaboration resulted in the book Sea of Cortez (1941), which describes marine life in the Gulf of California.

Wives and Children

Steinbeck was married three times and had two sons. In 1930, Steinbeck met and married his first wife, Carol Henning. Over the following decade, he poured himself into his writing with Carol's support and paycheck, until the couple divorced in 1942.

Steinbeck was married to his second wife, Gwyndolyn Conger, from 1943 to 1948. The couple had two sons together, Thomas (born 1944) and John (born 1946). In 1950, Steinbeck wed his third wife, Elaine Anderson Scott. The couple remained together until his death in 1968.

Steinbeck died of heart disease on December 20, 1968, at his home in New York City.

QUICK FACTS

• Name: John Steinbeck
• Birth Year: 1902
• Birth date: February 27, 1902
• Birth State: California
• Birth City: Salinas
• Birth Country: United States
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: John Steinbeck was an American novelist who is known for works such as the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, 'The Grapes of Wrath,' as well as 'Of Mice and Men' and 'East of Eden.'
• Fiction and Poetry
• Astrological Sign: Pisces
• Stanford University
• Interesting Facts
• John Steinbeck enrolled at Stanford University but never finished his degree.
• During World War II, Steinbeck served as a war correspondent for the New York Herald Tribune.
• Steinbeck had married three times in his lifetime.
• Death Year: 1968
• Death date: December 20, 1968
• Death State: New York
• Death City: New York
• Death Country: United States

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CITATION INFORMATION

• Article Title: John Steinbeck Biography
• Author: Biography.com Editors
• Website Name: The Biography.com website
• Url: https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/john-steinbeck
• Access Date:
• Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
• Last Updated: April 14, 2021
• Original Published Date: April 2, 2014
• A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.
• In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage.
• Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.
• We are lonesome animals. We spend all our life trying to be less lonesome.
• The discipline of the written word punishes both stupidity and dishonesty.
• A writer lives in awe of words, for they can be cruel or kind, and they can change their meanings right in front of you.
• To finish is sadness to a writer—a little death. He puts the last word down and it is done. But it isn't really done. The story goes on and leaves the writer behind, for no story is ever done.
• I know that no one really wants the benefit of anyone's experience, which is probably why it is so freely offered.
• I should think that a comfortable body would let the mind go freely to its gathering.
• I do a whole of a day's work and then the next day, flushed with triumph, I dawdle. That's today. The crazy thing is that I get about the same number of words down either way.
• I guess it is a good thing I became a writer. Perhaps I am too lazy for anything else.
• For poetry is the mathematics of writing and closely kin to music. And it is also the best therapy because sometimes the troubles come tumbling out.
• The craft or art of writing is the clumsy attempt to find symbols for the wordlessness.
• I learned long ago that you cannot tell how you will end by how you start.
• We work in our own darkness a great deal with little real knowledge of what we are doing. I think I know better what I am doing than most writers but it still isn't much.
• Give a critic an inch and he'll write a play.

The Biography.com staff is a team of people-obsessed and news-hungry editors with decades of collective experience. We have worked as daily newspaper reporters, major national magazine editors, and as editors-in-chief of regional media publications. Among our ranks are book authors and award-winning journalists. Our staff also works with freelance writers, researchers, and other contributors to produce the smart, compelling profiles and articles you see on our site. To meet the team, visit our About Us page: https://www.biography.com/about/a43602329/about-us

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• John Steinbeck - Questions and answers

John Steinbeck

Questions and answers.

Question: When was John Steinbeck born?

Answer: John Ernst Steinbeck was born on 27 February 1902, in Salinas, California, United States.

Question: What was John Steinbeck’s family background?

Answer: His father, John Ernst Steinbeck, was a county treasurer and his mother, Olive Hamilton Steinbeck, was a teacher. He had two elder sisters, Esther and Elizabeth, and one younger sister, Mary.

Question: Did John Steinbeck marry and have children?

Answer: He was married to Carol Henning between 1930 and 1942. Steinbeck was married to his second wife, Gwyndolyn Conger, between 1943 and 1948, during which time he had two sons, Thomas (born 1944) and John (born 1946). He was married to his third wife Elaine Anderson Scott from 1950 until his death.

Question: What was his educational background?

Answer: He graduated from the Salinas High School, Salinas in 1919. He attended Stanford University intermittently from 1919 to 1925 but he never earned a degree.

Question: What is his works generally about?

Answer: His works generally deal with the social and economic issues of rural America.

Question: When did John Steinbeck receive the Nobel Prize?

Answer: John Steinbeck received the Nobel Medal and Diploma on 10 December 1962 from the Swedish King Gustaf VI Adolf, at the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony held at the Stockholm Concert Hall. The Nobel Medal was donated by the Steinbeck family to the Stanford University Library in 2005.

Question: Was John Steinbeck awarded the Nobel Prize for one particular novel or for several?

Answer: John Steinbeck was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature “for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humour and keen social perception”.

Question: What were John Steinbeck’s major works?

Answer: Arguably Steinbeck’s best-known works are East of Eden , Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath . East of Eden follows the intertwined lives and times of two families, the Trasks and the Hamiltons, from the American Civil War to World War I. Of Mice and Men is a story about two travelling ranch workers, George and Lennie, who are trying to earn enough money to buy their own farm. The Grapes of Wrath, considered by many to be his finest work, tells the story of Oklahoma tenant farmers who, unable to earn a living from the land, move to California where they became migratory workers.

Question: When did John Steinbeck die and where is he buried?

Answer: John Steinbeck died of heart failure on 20 December 1968, in New York, N.Y, United States. On 4 March 1969, his ashes were buried in the Garden of Memories cemetery in Salinas in the Hamilton Family plot.

First published 22 February 2008

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John Steinbeck: A Biography

John steinbeck (1902 – 1968).

John Ernst Steinbeck was the author of 16 novels and various other works, including five short story collections.  He is widely known for the novels, East of Eden, Of Mice and Men , and particularly, the Puliter Prize winning novel, The Grapes of Wrath , his masterpiece, which is one of the great American novels: it has sold more than 15 million copies so far.  Several of the novels are considered classics of Western literature. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962.

Steinbeck’s novels show an underlying strain of social and political commentary. He delved deeply into the human condition, exploring multiple themes of desire, alienation and friendship.

One of Steinbeck’s major themes, which he frequently returned to, is humans’ relationship to the land. In To a God Unknown and East of Eden he explores identity through the ownership of land as part of the American dream. In these novels there is the sub theme of the indifference of nature to human beings and human beings’ attempt to accommodate nature and combat its negative effects. That is something that runs through all of Steinbeck’s work. In both novels a main protagonist survives by entering a state of denial, maintaining a positive outlook in spite of the unfavourable, even disastrous, circumstances.

Author and Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck, early 1960s.

In Tortilla Flat, Cannery Row and Of Mice and Men , Steinbeck focuses on friendship and explores the moral compromises that friendship can create.  In Of Mice and Men , The Grapes of Wrath, The Pearl and The Moon Is Down he explores the themes of rebellion, disenfranchisement and the struggle of integrity against corruption.

Of Mice and Men is arguably the most read novel of the 20th century: there can be hardly anyone who attended a school in America or Britain who has not read it. It is a standard feature on most GCSE syllabi in the UK. That has been the case for decades and still is. It’s a compelling story about two friends – Lennie, who has severe learning difficulties, and George, a family friend who has promised to look after him. Apart from being an exploration of friendship it is a story of the struggle against loneliness and powerlessness. Every one of the characters is lonely, all fighting against their solitude in the best way they can.

Loneliness suffuses every aspect of the book. For example it is set on a ranch and the nearby town is called Soledad, which means solitude.  George and Lennie, travelling together, attract suspicion from the other ranch hands as travelling with some other person is unheard of by them.  Though the ranch community live together they set up barriers against each other all the way through. The powerlessness of George and Lennie becomes desperate as they become increasingly unable to save enough money to be able to climb out of their dire circumstances. The powerless of each character is revealed and explored in the narrative.

The Grapes of Wrath is one of the great American novels, penetrating one of the deepest scars in America’s history. In the novel disenfranchised Oklahoma farmers travel across the country in an effort to survive in a world moving toward more industrialized agriculture and in which society has no interest in supporting the people displaced by these changes. It is a cry of rage from a socially and politically sensitive writer, exposing the social and economic horrors of farming life in the American dust bowl. It’s a campaigning novel in the Dickensian sense – not propaganda but a presentation of the real people and the nightmare they’re forced to endure.

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John Steinbeck Biography: A Journey From Struggle Into Nobel Prize

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“A sad soul can kill you quicker than a germ” – Travels with Charley, 1962.

John Steinbeck couldn’t find anything better than these words to define his compassion towards the marginalized.

In most of his works, Steinbeck was always keen on addressing people that the society chose to overlook. And perhaps that was the first reason behind the Nobel Prize that he received.

Steinbeck believed in the power of thought. His books have invited millions to look closely at the realities of life, no matter how harsh they are. He thought that acknowledging such hardships was the inevitable step toward solving them.

If Steinbeck’s works can do that, then how about his own life? That was the question that intrigued me to write this article. In the John Steinbeck biography, we’ll see how Steinbeck grew to be one of the greatest American authors.

Table of Contents

Birth and Family

John was born in 1902 in Salinas, California. He grew up happily alongside his three sisters. His father, John Ernst Steinbeck, had to work a bunch of jobs to provide for his family. But his main profession, later on, was being the Monterey County treasurer.

John’s mother, Olive Hamilton, used to work as a school teacher. She’s thought to be the one who inspired John through her passion for reading and writing.

Steinbeck’s family tree traces to the rural valleys of Germany. The family name was “Großsteinbeck” before John’s grandfather shortened it.

Like most of the genius people, Steinbeck was a bit shy in his childhood. He liked to roam around Salinas, looking at the ranchers and paying attention to their stories.

Those two interests were the main factors that shaped Steinbeck’s later works. He’d written about the misunderstood framers who dreamt of owning their lands.

He described the endless shatter of their dreams upon the many economical hardships that faced the country.

Steinbeck started showing a deep love for reading when he was 9. “ Le Morte D’Arthur”  was one of his first reads ever. “When I first read it,” said Steinbeck, “I must have been already enamored of words because the old and obsolete words delighted me.”

When he turned 14, he was determined to pursue writing as a profession. That’s why he often locked himself in his bedroom for hours on end to write poems and stories.

“I used to sit in that little room upstairs,” said Steinbeck, “and write little stories and little pieces and send them out to magazines under a false name and I never put a return address on them…I wonder what I was thinking of? I was scared to death to get a rejection slip, but more, to get an acceptance.”

Education: One of the Famous Dropouts

Steinbeck wanted to perfect his writing skills, but he didn’t have a clear plan. To please his parents, and especially his mother, he decided to take a chance and enroll at Stanford University in 1919. There, he took a bunch of courses on writing and history.

For 6 years, Steinbeck didn’t care about his education. Eventually, he dropped out in 1925 without getting a degree.

It wasn’t all bad, though. In 1923, Steinbeck became interested in the works of William Emerson Ritter, one of the most acclaimed American biologists. This encouraged him to explore the great world of ecology later in his book “ Sea of Cortez .”

Career Timeline

As you might already know, the professional life of Steinbeck was full of great achievements. Throughout his career, he wrote 16 novels, 6 non-fiction works, and 2 short story collections. To keep things organized, I’ll approach Steinbeck’s career one decade at a time.

After dropping out of school, Steinbeck had no time to waste. In 1926, he decided to move out to New York, searching for decent job opportunities.

He managed to work as a newspaper reporter and a construction worker at the same time. But expectedly, he didn’t like where he stood.

“I had a thin, lonely, hungry time of it,” said Steinbeck in 1935. “I remember too well the cockroaches under my washbasin and the impossibility of getting a job. I was scared thoroughly. And I can’t forget the scare.”

That’s when Steinbeck decided to return back to California, but things weren’t bright there either. He had to work as an estate caretaker, then as an employee at a fish hatchery.

By 1929, during that harsh, depressing period, Steinbeck finished his first novel “ Cup of Gold ”. He built it loosely on the life of  Sir Henry Morgan , a famous Welsh privateer.

Understandably, this novel lacked the depth that was later portrayed in Steinbeck’s novels. And with the Great Depression getting closer, this novel was doomed to fail.

During those tough times, Steinbeck was lucky enough to meet Carol Henning, his first wife. They got married in 1930 and lived in the Steinbeck family summer cottage in Pacific Grove, California.

By that time, they were struck by the calamities of the Great Depression, just like everyone else. “Financially we are in a mess,” said Steinbeck in a letter to a friend, “but ‘spiritually’ we ride the clouds.”

To a God Unknown: The First Elaborate Novel

Despite those obstacles, Steinbeck was able to finish his second book “ To a God Unknown ” in 1933. Sadly, this novel didn’t receive the commercial appreciation that it was entitled to, mainly because of the poor financial situation back then. 

Nevertheless, it’s one of the richest works that Steinbeck has ever written. He burst a lot of the amazing ideas that he amplified in the following years. 

The Red Pony: The First Collection of Short Stories

In 1933, Steinbeck started publishing “ The Red Pony .” In each of its four stories, he began reflecting on the interesting lives of the ranchers who thrived in Salinas Valley. This was such an important step in his career. He knew by then that he was especially interested in exploring the stories of the marginalized. 

Tortilla Flat: The First True Success 

By 1935, Steinbeck heaved a sigh of relief after publishing his first commercially successful book, “ Tortilla Flat .” It told the story of paisanos who struggled to merge into the society of Monterey, California.

In spite of that, those paisanos cared about more trivial concepts like friendship , good company, and wine. 

This novel was valued the most by people who were still suffering from the consequences of the Great Depression.

They found it as a fun work of escapism and carelessness. This novel got even more fame when it was adapted into a  film  starring Spencer Tracy and Hedy Lamarr.

In Dubious Battle: A Reflection on the American Society

For the first time, Steinbeck decided to widen his scope and address the misery of the whole Americans after the Great Depression. “ In Dubious Battle ”, was a 1936 novel that told the story of abused farmers who were trying to organize strikes for the sake of fair wages. 

I absolutely love how Steinbeck explored the concept of group behavior in this novel. It’s fascinating to learn how one man can coax a large group of people into action. And as the central figure gets more ruthless, the quicksands of power start to reveal. 

Of Mice and Men: A Novel Based on His Own Journey

In 1937, Steinbeck released “ Of Mice and Men ,” a novel that became one of his most beloved works. Loosely based on his own journey, he told the story of two friends who’re trying to secure jobs in the Salinas Valley. With one of the characters suffering from mental disability, you’re set to enjoy a “little study in humility” as Steinbeck describes it. 

Later on, this novel was adapted into three movies as well as a Broadway play. 

The Grapes of Wrath: His Finest Piece 

During the Great Depression, many families were abandoning their homes in search of jobs. Even if they found something, they were the victims of discrimination as locals viewed them as outsiders.

With an amazing effort, Steinbeck traveled to a bunch of areas in California to correctly depict these events in his book “ The Grapes of Wrath ” in 1939.

“I must go over into the interior valleys,” said Steinbeck to his literary agent, “there are about five thousand families starving to death over there. The states and counties will give them nothing because they are outsiders. But the crops of any part of this state could not be harvested without these outsiders. I’m pretty mad about it.” 

In my opinion, Steinbeck was at his best in the ’30s. Yet he managed to dazzle his audience with a bunch of great books in the following years. 

Sea of Cortez: An Important Non-Fiction Book

Contrary to what most people think, the “ Sea of Cortez ” (1941) was John’s favorite work, according to Elaine, his third wife. It depicts the journey he had with his best friend, Edward F. Ricketts, into the Gulf of California. 

It’s such an interesting read for people who want to connect to Steinbeck on a personal level. As a plus, you’ll get to know some cool facts about marine biology! 

The Pearl: A Take on Human’s Nature 

In 1947, Steinbeck wrote another piece that should be way more famous today. “ The Pearl ” speaks about a poor diver who collects pearls. After his son was denied medical care due to poverty, he found a large pearl that had a potential of unlimited fortune. 

Steinback uses this storyline to showcase humans’ pure evil. He illustrates that through the deeds of the diver’s neighbors, who grew envious of him shortly after his lucky incident. 

The ’50s and ’60s

Steinbeck died in 1968 as a result of congestive heart failure, which was mainly precipitated by his long history of heavy smoking. The case was so severe that doctors believed it was a long time coming. That’s why Steinbeck’s works started to decline gradually starting from the ’50s. 

East of Eden: Another Tribute for Salinas Valley

In 1952, Steinbeck wrote his last major novel that describes his hometown. According to Elaine, he wanted to leave an updated description of the Salinas Valley for his young kids, 6 and 4 years old at this time. 

Fun fact, Steinbeck views the “ East of Eden ” as his best novel. “I think everything else I have written has been, in a sense, practice for this,” said Steinbeck. 

The Winter of Our Discontent: The Journey’s End

By 1961, Steinbeck left his last legacy with the novel “ The Winter of Our Discontent .” And what a finale that was!

Steinbeck controversially explored the concept of the American dream. He told the story of a decent store clerk that gradually abandons his morals after his family pushes him to pursue wealth. 

This novel asks an extremely important question that has puzzled humans for so long. Do we have to tromp on each other in order to reach our goals? I’ll leave this for you to figure out. 

Collecting the full awards received by a huge name like John Steinback in one article is rather hard. However, I must highlight his most famous awards as a humble deed to commemorate his efforts. 

• New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for “Of Mice and Men”, 1938.
• Pulitzer Prize, Fiction Award for The Grapes of Wrath, 1940.
• King Haakon Liberty Cross (Norway) for The Moon Is Down.
• Nobel Prize for Literature, 1962. 
• Honorary Consultant in American Literature to the Library of Congress, 1963. 
• United States Medal of Freedom, 1964

Final Thoughts

The vast majority of John Steinbeck’s novels showed the rich compassion that he felt toward the overlooked people in our society. The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, and In Dubious Battle were focused on highlighting the dreadful repercussions that the Great Depression left. 

Some people might find the fact that he dropped out of college inspiring. And it’s true that Steinbeck didn’t benefit that much from Stanford, but that shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all plan. 

Steinbeck already had a talent. He just had to wait for the right moment to shine. It’s actually amazing that he managed to do that right after that major economical crisis. 

What do you think about those John Steinbeck facts? Do you know another writer who lived in similar conditions? Share with me in the comments!

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John Steinbeck: An American Author

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Profile of the American writer John Steinbeck, author of "The Grapes of Wrath," "Of Mice and Men," "East of Eden" and "Cannery Row." Profile of the American writer John Steinbeck, author of "The Grapes of Wrath," "Of Mice and Men," "East of Eden" and "Cannery Row." Profile of the American writer John Steinbeck, author of "The Grapes of Wrath," "Of Mice and Men," "East of Eden" and "Cannery Row."

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John Steinbeck: A Biography Hardcover – January 1, 1995

• Print length 535 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Henry Holt & Co
• Publication date January 1, 1995
• Dimensions 6.5 x 1.75 x 9.5 inches
• ISBN-10 0805016732
• ISBN-13 978-0805016734
• See all details

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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Henry Holt & Co; First Edition (January 1, 1995)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 535 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0805016732
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0805016734
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.2 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.75 x 9.5 inches
• #2,597 in Author Biographies

About the author

Jay Parini is Axinn Professor of English at Middlebury College, Vermont. His six novels also include Benjamins Crossing and The Apprentice Lover. His volumes of poetry include The Art of Subtraction: New and Selected Poems. In addition to biographies of John Steinbeck, Robert Frost and William Faulkner, he has written a volume of essays on literature and politics, as well as The Art of Teaching. He edited the Oxford Encyclopedia of American Literature and writes regularly for the Guardian and other publications.

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Customers find the book very informative, interesting, and useful. They also describe the writing style as well-written, witty, and insightful. Readers mention the book doesn't read like a textbook.

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Customers find the book very informative and interesting. They say it offers fresh insights and a comprehensive biography.

"...most remarkable features about Steinbeck was his incredible focus, determination , and resilience in the face continuous rejection during his early..." Read more

" Very informative about one of America's most famous authors" Read more

"Excellent!!! Informative and does not read like a textbook. This man is a gifted writer...." Read more

"an interesting and comprehensive biography" Read more

Customers find the biography interesting and comprehensive.

"...Both books are paragons of biographical research and literary criticism...." Read more

" Useful biography of John Steinbeck . Somewhat heavy on psychological analysis and thin on commentary on Steinbeck's writings...." Read more

"...The biography was so long-winded that I found myself skipping entire sections...." Read more

"an interesting and comprehensive biography " Read more

Customers find the writing style well-written, witty, and insightful. They also say the book doesn't read like a textbook.

"...charitably concludes: “Whatever his faults, Steinbeck was a uniquely authentic writer who, over nearly four decades, produced a body of work that..." Read more

"Excellent!!! Informative and does not read like a textbook . This man is a gifted writer...." Read more

"...Jay Parini writes in a clear an engaging fashion . I had started reading at a random place and liked it immediately...." Read more

" Very well written ..." Read more

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