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)

Heavy

Heavy allegorical story. It is very sad. Makes one wonder about the human condition. I recommend this book.

Beautiful, Poignant, and Sorrowful

Steinbeck was a masterful writer. Of Mice and Men is a masterpiece and this audible narration does it justice. I am still overwhelmed. I just finished. Do hear this narration. Read the book too. You will always remember.

Great First Audiobook

Any additional comments?

Lt. Dan Absolutely killed it. This was my first audiobook ever and first Steinbeck and it was a great choice. Will definitely listen to more Steinbeck's

(Lt. Dan...Ice Cream!)

EXCEPTIONAL

exceptional work of the writer (of course) as well as the performer. Bravo, Gary Sinise! I am impressed with your masterful, beautifully nuanced work. This reading outweighs (I am sorry) all your episodes in "CSI: New York".
Thank you for presenting this piece of fiction in the best light possible, thank you for this incredible gift I was lucky to experience. Thank you for creating this stretched- in- time collaboration of two talents: the writer and the performer.

Fantastic narration

Really good story and fantastic narration. Would probably listen to it again at a later date.

Read as a youth and now 30 plus years later...

Read as a youth but wow what 30 years can do to perspective? I remembered the outline of the story from long ago, there was a great deal I didn't remember though, glad I listened. I was surprised to hear Gary Sinise reading, fun surprise, I enjoyed it very much.

heartwarming

awesome, very sad ending but had me all the way invested unto the book. so I did enjoy the book alog.

Time well spent!

I first read this classic over 30 years ago. this was time very well spent!

An American Classic

Gary Sinies truly brings the characters to life, this is a must read, John Steinbeck earns his reputation as a great American writer.

Enjoyable classic

If you could sum up Of Mice and Men in three words, what would they be?

Warm, Sad and Real.

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

The reader could feel the emotions in the way he read it.