Of Mice and Men

By: John Steinbeck

Narrated by: Gary Sinise

Length: 3 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Celebrating its 75th anniversary, John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men remains one of America's most widely read and beloved novels. Here is Steinbeck’s dramatic adaptation of his novel-as-play, which received the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play in 1937-1938 and has featured a number of actors who have played the iconic roles of George and Lennie on stage and film, including James Earl Jones, John Malkovich and Gary Sinise.

From the Nobel Prize-winning author of The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden, this classic story of an unlikely pair, two migrant workers in California during the Great Depression who grasp for their American Dream, profoundly touches readers/listeners and audiences alike. George and his simple-minded friend Lenny dream, as drifters will, of a place to call their own - a couple of acres and a few pigs, chickens, and rabbits back in Hill Country where land is cheap. But after they come to work on a ranch in the fertile Salinas Valley of California, their hopes, like “the best laid schemes o’mice an’ men”, begin to go awry.

Of Mice and Men also represents an experiment in form, as Steinbeck described his work, “a kind of playable novel, written in novel form but so scened and set that it can be played as it stands”. A rarity in American letters, it achieved remarkable success as a novel, a Broadway play, and three acclaimed films.

©1937 John Steinbeck (P)2011 Penguin

Critic reviews

"Of Mice and Men is a thriller, a gripping tale running to novelette length that you will not set down until it is finished. It is more than that; but it is that.... In sure, raucous, vulgar Americanism, Steinbeck has touched the quick in his little story." (The New York Times)

"Brutality and tenderness mingle in these strangely moving pages.... The reader is fascinated by a certainty of approaching doom." (Chicago Tribune)

"A short tale of much power and beauty. Mr. Steinbeck has contributed a small masterpiece to the modern tough-tender school of American fiction." (Times Literary Supplement, London)

Fabulous is an understatement!

Of the 263 Audible book productions I’ve listened to, this one gets my highest rating. Of course the material is epic and written as a play so it’s perfect to listen to. Descriptive vision and mood evoking narrative and realistic voices rendered by the dialogue. Gary Sinese nails it, every intonation right as it should be. Harmonica music briefly at the beginning sets a tone, just as if one were at the theatre. Listen to this straight through if possible, like you’re watching a movie… it has a rhythm and flow that is engrossing, timing superb!

Wonderful, seamless character transitions

Gary Sinese makes you feel like you are walking beside the characters in this classic.

classic

Every Stienbeck novel is a treasure, this one is no exception. A must read... a must listen, the reader was perfect.

KETCHUP

IF I WAS A RELATIVE OF YOURS I WOULD SHOOT MYSELF
Steinbeck is America. He almost always writes about the down trodden and gives them a voice, makes them real to us, makes us care. When my boys were growing up, I made them spend some time reading in the summer and I made them read Steinbeck among others. Today they are in their 30's and they are readers. My one son really liked Red Pony. I read most of his stuff before joining audible, but I am looking forward to relistening. .

I THINK CURLY MARRIED A TART
Western fiction readers will also enjoy this book, as it is about hands going from ranch to ranch looking for work.

GEORGE, TELL AGAIN ABOUT THE RABBITS.
Sinese is an excellent narrator.

My First Steinbeck... I've Missed So Much!

How unfortunate for me that I waited to age 38 to read Steinbeck. I so loved this book and immediately followed it up with his, Cannery Row and still looking forward to, The Grapes of Wrath. However, I did enjoy this one more than, Cannery Row (despite the fact that I lived five streets up from Cannery Row about eight years ago).

This year I've been running the gamut of Classics; some I've adored and others I'm left wondering why anybody gave a darn (e.g., My favorite has been 20,000 leagues, but hated The Time Machine, Frankenstein was amazing, but I can't finish Moby Dick; Animal Farm was so insightful, but I have no clue what's going on in The Brother's Karamazov).Of Mice and Men is easily third behind two of the aforementioned both in prose and story line.

Gary Sinese might be my new favorite narrator, but this has been the only book I've listened to with him as narrator where I've listened to several books narrated by Wil Wheaton. I had no problem listening at 3x speed.

I'm sure I will listen to this book over and over again; maybe I'll add it to my list of annual reads with Heinlein's, Starship Troopers, and Plato's, The Republic and The Allegory of the Cave.

John Steinbeck remains an American treasure

Where does Of Mice and Men rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have always loved this story but have not read it in over twenty years. With all the talk of Hemingway, for me, Steinbeck has always been at the top of his era.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All characters and that was one of Steinbeck's strengths; to create interesting, compelling characters.

What does Gary Sinise bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I didn't think I'd like Sinise's narration, but he did a more than adequate job.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes it was and it is short at no more than four hours.

another great book by steinbeck!

What made the experience of listening to Of Mice and Men the most enjoyable?

the reader was very good. the story was good. and altho i generally like longer books, this book was an appropriate length for the story. the plot was pure steinbeck!

Who was your favorite character and why?

lenny. he was so innocent and steinbeck portrayed him well.

What about Gary Sinise’s performance did you like?

THE ABSOULUTE BEST. HE DID INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERS WELL.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes i would have but started it very late so i finished this morining. i will read this again an again.

Any additional comments?

steinbeck seems to be a winner every time. i have several of his books. none have disappointed me yet.

of mice and men

Gary did a great job narrating the time just flew by hearing this great story

Incredible.

An incredible work of literature. One both absolutely touching and devastating to the human spirit.

Excellent

The performance was excellent. it made you feel like you where there. Very thought provoking for today about how we view those we believe are weaker mentally.