Rating: 
Summary: Godfather 2
Review: I liked the sequel better than the original, a must read and I must advise you because I feel a fit coming on to stop reading after the three periods... Abandon all hope ye who continues to read...(three more periods, take note) I am reminded of me mum telling the story of how she had lost a gas cap to something and that she stuck a potato in the gas hole and fixed the problem. We all laughed at this story and to tell you the truth I knew that if I ever lost a gas cap the first thing I would do would riffle through the potato cabinet. As luck would have it I was riding my Yamaha 60cc Mini enduro and one day I noticed my gas cap was missing, I swear I did not pull this stunt on myself its just one of those be careful what you wish for things. Well my brother Charles Chadwick was keen on the idea of the potato solution and me not being very mechanical enlisted his help. We found a fine potato had to wittle it into a taper and then found it would not stay put when we raced so we took some duct tape and taped it over the gas hole and this worked until the potato shrank or I ran out of gas and had to untape my potato. Again fate came a knockin' and we found a gas cap that fit the bike but it was a little oversized so it looked like I had a pie pan on my gas tank, no problems it worked better than the potato. I need to call my mum and find out what sort of gas hole a potato works on, I'm just not ready to take this one out of my bag of tricks. Read Sweet Thursday , great read.
Rating:
Summary: Canary Row Continued
Review: "Sweet Thursday" is the continued story of Steinbeck's "Canary Row". This is the only book in my life that I've read cover to cover without putting it down. Hey, it's Steinbeck so it has got to be good. IT IS!
Rating:
Summary: A Worthy Sequel
Review: "Cannery Row" is my favorite Steinbeck novel and I enjoyed this book very much. Many of the characters are the same and it's fun to read about them again. I love the descriptions of Monterrey CA (sp?) and enjoy reading about Doc's work as a marine biologist. Steinbeck has his characters speak in everyday language, which is qite enjoyable. I reccommend this book to anyone who likes Steinbeck, imagery, or glimpses into ordinary people's lives. There isn't any huge, spectacular plot climax but it is definately an enjoyable book.
Rating:
Summary: Canary Row Continued
Review: "Sweet Thursday" is the continued story of Steinbeck's "Canary Row". This is the only book in my life that I've read cover to cover without putting it down. Hey, it's Steinbeck so it has got to be good. IT IS!
Rating:
Summary: We Should All, Indeed, Be As Happy As Kings
Review: "Sweet Thursday" is, without a doubt, my personal favorite Steinbeck novel.
Assuredly, he wrote better books -- ones, such as "Cannery Row," for example (and for which this volume serves as a sequel), which were arguably far more profound and which today remain far more prominent in the public mind as examples of Steinbeck's craft -- yet I don't believe that he ever wrote anything with more insight, not mention love and dedication, than "Sweet Thursday."
"Sweet Thursday" is, simply put, a 'love letter;' Steinbeck's love -- for the characters (and the real-life people who inspired those characters), as well as his love for the simple craft of writing -- shines forth in every page. Written approximately fifteen years after its "prequel," "Sweet Thursday" also serves to document Steinbeck's growth as a writer (he'd significantly narrowed the gap in those intervening years between what a writer wants to say -- as expressed by yet another California author [Raymond Chandler] -- and his ability to actually say it).
But above all else, it's simply a "marvelous read;" and, by the way, you don't have to read "Cannery Row" beforehand in order to fully enjoy it.
Rating: 
Summary: a story of the common man
Review: a story of the common man facing everyday obstacles
Rating:
Summary: A Glorious Conclusion
Review: How easy it seems to come to John Steinbeck...I can picture him typing away on his old typewriter, and majically producing these rich, rich stories that have "it" all. The townfolk of Cannery Row continue to grow without becoming stale. A perfect union of old characters introduced in the preceding books, _Tortilla Flat_ and _Cannery Row_ meet a new assortment of equally compelling personalities. His talent is evident in the concise revealing of these people. Humanity, love, and the fragile bonds that connect all sorts together makes for a rich broth that he serves up to the reader. Nothing is left out, he is incredibly sensitive, vulnerable, and compassionate in describing his characters. Just as well, he is hysterically funny and original. It is quite simply, a movie in your mind when you read these 3 books. Crisp and absolute, I can "see" everything he has written and it is one of the best movies I have ever had the pleasure to view!!Steinbeck keeps the original Palace Flophouse alive, but now, sadly, it is occupied by the post war survivors. One of the beds is a virtual memorial to one of the boys. No one is allowed to sit on the bed, and everything is left the way it was when he left. Especially, because he is presumed dead, they hold out all hope and respect for his return. The "boys" slowly return from war, reunite and again, become the essence of Cannery Row. Mack, the man in charge of the Flophouse, presides over the Palace on his street skills and hustling abilities, of which he is duly recognized and respected by all. Most of his attention, if not to the boys, is to "Doc" and the constant attempts to reward and recognize Doc for all that he has done for the boys, and all the "down and outs" on Cannery Row. Doc, usually the strong, wise and controlled, meets his mid-life crisis ( for loss of a better description of his angst.) He returns from the war to his Biological Lab, which is in total disarray from the mismanagement of the person he left in charge. His return and shock in finding the conditions of his lab are the catalyst for the initiation of his self doubt and relentless introspection. A man from days before the war, he was content to collect biological specimens, preserve them, and reward himself with the pint of beer. All in town knew of his habits, his schedule and his goals. His self doubts create a disturbing equation to his life and the Cannery Row folk feel his unease and seek resolution. He ultimately confronts his loneliness with the attention and intervention of all the inhabitants in Cannery Row. All contribute opinions, astrological forecasts and speculations. Those that hold debts of gratitude are many, for he is a man that extends himself to all in need. Be it a man ill, he is the healer. Be it a person in disability, he is their ability. Not a man to be self-serving, he is their rock and their stability. Without him, they are all vulnerable to the nightmares they each dream at night. And, so, Doc, without any ill intention, allows all to see his infortune, his dis-ease, his vulnerability. He expresses his fear of failure, and his desire to write a scientific paper about the behavior of octopuses. He feels how important it is to his soul that this paper is written, and those who love him understand this priority. Enter into the turmoil, is a woman named Suzy. A young girl abused by her family into leaving her home, she steps off the bus to find a future in Monterey. More than a few people take her under their wing, and she becomes a treasure worth fighting for. Doc struggles with his pretensions, lust and love, all of it yet another stew to stir and dwell on. He is stunned by everything. He isn't acting predictably. The town watches, consults, and agonizes. Can they help Doc? What is wrong with Doc? The pulse of the town beats with the need to solve the puzzle. It seems to affect everything, yet compared to other towns, it has it's own unique difficulty. Really, it isn't so bad, after all, it could have Pacific Grove's agony with no monarch butterflies making their annual show. Such unusual behavior is interpreted by the simple minded "boys" with great fear, for his well-being is inherent to them all. His discomfort is their discomfort. His joy, their joy. If he is joyless, or at a loss, so are they. What comes of this is their responsibility. They must change the world to accomodate the need for equanimity. They feel the ultimate need to produce this for their beloved friend, Doc. In this need, the story produces the joys and sorrows so perfectly and elegantly delivered by John Steinbeck.
Rating:
Summary: My Least favorite of all his books.
Review: I almost never bother to write a negative book review but on Sweet Thursday I'll make that exception. I have read every single book that John Steinbeck published and I enjoyed every single one of them, except this one. It rambled on and on, wasn't focused in the least, didn't hold my attention. I only kept reading because I expected it to get better. But it didn't and I must confess, I never made it much more than half way through it.
It is odd too, because Steinbeck is a real master, a fabulous writer, creator of stories and charters that will outlast most of us. But this one didn't get it for me, this one could have used more editing. Still, one dog out of so many great books, it is a darn good record. By the way, just finished reading Down to a Soundless Sea, by his son, Thomas Steinbeck, and I was quite impressed with it...great stories, fine writing. Check it out and take a pass on Sweet Thursday.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book With Great, Vivid Detail
Review: I am in the sixth grade and had to read this for a book report. I was not familiar with John Steinbeck's form of writing but as the story moved on I saw the magic of John Steinbeck. The literature had some phrases and incidents that were so random but very powerful. I plan to read Cannery Row since I already read Sweet Thursday. The only thing that was hard for me to evaluate was the changing of stories and places so much.
Rating:
Summary: Pure fun
Review: I don't think many people would associate great literature with "fun", but Steinbeck proves this can be done. "Sweet Thursday" is just as entertaining as Cannery Row (it is a sort of continuation of the story, but you needn't have read one to understand the other). The antics and strange logic of Mack and the boys cracked me up. There's even an odd love story woven in. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My favorite Steinbeck novel is "Of Mice and Men", which is not funny like "Sweet Thursday", but is an excellent story. Gary Sinise reads it on audio (abriged bummer) and he does an excellent job. I would suggest reading it before listening, though. Anyway, buy this book--buy any Steinbeck book--I guarantee you won't be wasting your time or money.
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