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Summary: Of Mice or is it Men?
Review: "Of Mice and Men" was written bye John Steinbeck and is a fictional book. "Of Mice and Men" is a book about two life long friends named George and Lennie. They go to a farm to do some farm work after having to run away from their old town Weed. Lennie is a big guy who is retarded and likes to pet soft things like mice. George is a short guy who is very smart and has stuck with Lennie for a while. In their new farm, they meet many people including Curley, a little boxer guy who hates big guys like Lennie, and Curley's wife, who is attractive to the other guys. Lennie and George have many grand adventures on the farm. I would rate this book a 4 because it was pretty fun to read, it was well written and it had a good plot but sometimes it got a little bit boring to read and hard to understand but for the most part it was good.
Rating: 
Summary: Classic American masterpiece
Review: I read this book aged 15 for my GCSE English literature exam. Right from the start I fell in love with Steinbeck's unassuming, delicate language and his vividly real characters. The theme of loneliness on the "ranch" where the main characters work really haunts the reader, and we feel great sympathy for the barren lives lead by the characters - matched by the bleak, dusty Salinas landscape. All the main characters suffer from some form of prejudice, which in turn isolates them from the main thread of communication in the mid-west community - from Lennie, who is punished for his mental disability, to Candy, punished for his age, the negro, Crooks and the "jailbait", Curley's Wife. Each character suffers such absolute desolation in the face of promminence, I couldn't help feeling such strong empathy for the tragic people who inhabit this book. It is a credit to Stenbeck's unique eye for socialistic views and values that he draws such desparing, but neccassary, attention to the "abused" little man of 20's America.
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Summary: California Dreamin'
Review: This story is set during a difficult time; the U.S. is in a state of great economic turmoil. The main characters, George and Lennie are ranch workers, traveling throughout California and living wherever they can find work. Although they are long-time friends, the two men are very different: George is a small, intelligent man, while Lennie is big and mentally challenged. However, they share a common dream: to own a house and "live off the fat of the land." They do not wish to wander from place to place their whole lives. Lennie, with his knack of getting into trouble, seems to make this dream impossible for both of them. Finally, they hit upon yet another California ranch and meet an old man with a similar hope to buy a home. This man also has a bit of money stored away. The three men work together, all making money to go towards the same goal: purchasing their dream home. Just when everything seems to be going their way, the inevitable happens. Blundering Lennie gets into trouble yet again. Only this time it is serious. Although I won't give away the shocking conclusion of this novel, I will say this: Of Mice and Men is a great book. It is terse, simple, and still so meaningful. The 90 pages of this book really fly by. Read this wonderful classic!
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Summary: A Steinbeck Classic
Review: I re-read this book recently because my daughter was reading it. I was struck by the power that Steinbeck packed into this short book. Steinbeck does a masterful job of contrasting the relationship between Candy (the ranch's janitor) and his old dog with the relationehip between George and Lennie. "Tell me again, George..." At first, Lennie is the only one who wants to hear the story about the farm that he and George hope to have some day. By the end of the book Candy and Crooks want to believe in the dream, too. At the end of the book, reality creeps back in and tragedy stikes. Today's readers should read this book with a knowledge of the historical times of these characters. The historical context will help readers understand the predicament faced by men like Crooks, Candy, and Lennie.
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Summary: A challenging book with a disturbing conclusion.
Review: It saddens me that `Of Mice and Men' was the second most frequently banned book in the American public school curriculum of the 1990's. While people have objected to the language, it reflects the times and the circumstances of the characters (and is better than most of what we might hear in our modern world). While the ending is horrific, the motivation behind George's action continues the theme of brotherly love and respect that has been present throughout the novel. This is a short but challenging read and prompts questions about relationships, dreams, and our attitude to life and the taking of it. `Of Mice and Men' confirms Steinbeck's reputation as a great writer and in no way should this novel be banned.
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Summary: Wow!
Review: This was one of the best books I have ever read. It was almost as though I could relate to the events of the story even though I had never experienced anything like it in my life. John Steinbeck did an excellent job in grasping the elements that went along with this time as well as telling the story. Once I arrived at the middle of the book I just could not put it down. Yet at one point I really wanted to due to content but still I couldn't. This book is definitely in the top five best books I have ever read. In my opinion the way Lennie was described and acted in the book was how someone like him actually would in real life. This book was compelling and showed how in some relationships you have to do things for the better even though you know in a way it is not the best thing. It is a great book for young adults because although it is fairly deep and deals with some hard times you really learn something about life and when you are done it really gets you thinking. This was an awesome book and when I look at what it has achieved it is no surprise to me why! I really like how Steinbeck focused on one portion of these men's lives instead of their whole lives. In a way the book almost skips to the "good part". I enjoy reading when it is interesting and in a way to the point which was what this book was and my own personal preference. This book also shows how much times have changed since when it was written and it shows younger people of what used to be and mabye even what some of their grandparents might have lived through. This was an overall spetacular book with excellent clarity. I would reccommend it to anyone especially young adults. It provides insight most people would otherwise not have!
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Summary: this book was bad
Review: "hey dortch do i git do dend da wabbits dortch"
Rating:
Summary: Characterization tells a strong story
Review: "Of Mice and Men" is a very powerful book about friendship. It is the story of two laborers who drift from town to town in search of work. Lennie the slow-minded giant can not seem to keep himself out of trouble and George is always bailing him out. The two end up on a ranch with some very interesting characters. They are befriended by an elderly man who just happens to have some money saved up, making their dream of owning their own land and home a possibility. That dream comes to a sudden halt though when once again Lennie gets himself into some serious trouble. George, realizing that Lennie can not function in society brings the book to a very powerful close. John Steinbeck does an excellent job telling this story utilizing characterization. Readers meet a great many characters. We get to know each one very well, especially Gorge and Lennie. Steinbeck gives readers insight into how the characters think so that we understand why they do the things they do, such as why Slim acts so tough all the time and why Lennie can not keep himself out of trouble. By the end of the book readers know the characters so well that we can understand why they have to do the things they do.
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Summary: Literature Light, but Enjoyable
Review: After racking my brains trying to read William Faulkner, I decided to give this short, simple, touching story a try. Steinbeck is a great author to read after Faulkner; his easiness of style cures the headache Faulkner's vortexes of plot development cause. This novel, which was written to read like a play, contains the memorable characters of George and Lennie. Lennie's phrase, "Are we gonna have rabbits George?" has been immortalized. This story is easy to read and enjoyable; however, one cannot help to sympathize with the loneliness of all its characters. I recommend this book, but I classify it in the "Literature Light" section of the books I've read.
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Summary: The Best Book
Review: I read this book in 4th Grade, and again in 6th Grade, and it knocked my socks off both times! This book is definately the best book I have ever read and I would suggest it to everyone. It is a powerful tale about how two men, one who is retarted, live together. The retarted one messes up a lot. The plot thickens over the course of the book. This book has an incredible meaning. Anyone who doesn't pick this book up is mising out on a fantastic experience.
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