The Winter of Our Discontent

By: John Steinbeck

Narrated by: David Aaron Baker

Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

The final novel of one of America’s most beloved writers - a tale of degeneration, corruption, and spiritual crisis.

A Penguin Classic In awarding John Steinbeck the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature, the Nobel committee stated that with The Winter of Our Discontent, he had “resumed his position as an independent expounder of the truth, with an unbiased instinct for what is genuinely American". Ethan Allen Hawley, the protagonist of Steinbeck’s last novel, works as a clerk in a grocery store that his family once owned. With Ethan no longer a member of Long Island’s aristocratic class, his wife is restless, and his teenage children are hungry for the tantalizing material comforts he cannot provide. Then one day, in a moment of moral crisis, Ethan decides to take a holiday from his own scrupulous standards. Set in Steinbeck’s contemporary 1960 America, the novel explores the tenuous line between private and public honesty, and today ranks alongside his most acclaimed works of penetrating insight into the American condition. This Penguin Classics edition features an introduction and notes by leading Steinbeck scholar Susan Shillinglaw.

For more than 70 years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines.

©1961, 1989 John Steinbeck (P)2012 Penguin Audio

Do the Ends Justify the Means?

Where does The Winter of Our Discontent rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love the book and really enjoyed listening to this audio versions.

What did you like best about this story?

It is a classic snapshot of society. Though the story is 50 years old people still value position and money in society in the same manner.

What about David Aaron Baker’s performance did you like?

He did a great job with the voices.

If you could rename The Winter of Our Discontent, what would you call it?

Revenge for the Belle Adair

Closer to today's problems than his other works

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I love all of Steinbeck's works, but this piece really touched me more than the others. It tells the story that we can really relate to today.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Winter of Our Discontent?

The most memorable moment of the book is probably his reaction when he learns what Allen had really done for the contest.

What does David Aaron Baker bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His narration style is very good, very in tune with the character.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me think and lament.

Any additional comments?

A jewel.

Steinbeck, Oh My Steinbeck...

Another lovely and enduring masterpiece from the master. His prose, timing and wit have never been matched. I only wish he were around today to help us make sense of this mess we call life.

Great audiobook except for one thing.

The editing was terrible. It started out with zero spacing between the last word of one chapter and the first word if the next. But later, words and even a sentence at the very end were cut off/interrupted.

Otherwise, great. Great narration. (Although it threw me for the longest while trying to place the readers voice: he makes the main character sound an awful lot like Johnny Depp.)

And of course a great story. Probably my third favorite John Steinbeck book, behind Travels with Charley; and The Pearl.

Great writing; interesting but sometimes puzzling

Great writing; interesting but sometimes puzzling story and main character. The narration is very good.

loved it

great reading of a pretty good story. top 5 by Steinbeck, in my opinion

Very different from Steinbeck s other books.

Didn't care for
the narrator.
I thought the pace was erratic. It is a good story but since it doesn't flow, it's easy to lose your place. Loved the ending.

Rich

Would you listen to The Winter of Our Discontent again? Why?

This book is rich with all of the sorts of philosophical and creative ideas that come from the brilliant mind of Steinbeck. He is the dark chocolate of the literary world.

What did you like best about this story?

The examination of the struggle of morality in this society that we live in, which has not changed since the 60's.

What about David Aaron Baker’s performance did you like?

He embodies Steinbeck's characters perfectly and his female voices are not overdone or underdone in terms and thereby not distracting to me as I have found with other narrators. I specifically look for David Aaron Baker to b narrate my Steinbeck books.

Who was the most memorable character of The Winter of Our Discontent and why?

It would be hard not to choose Ethan since the entire book is basically getting to know his mind and his struggle with being a good person in a world where good people do not prosper.

Any additional comments?

This story was a mirror to my soul and comforted me to know that there are other people who have the same struggles. It was sad, but also hopeful.

Slow reader for good story

Listen to book at 1.25x speed for enjoyable audiobook.

Great story by Steinbeck, I've never heard or read one that I didn't like.

Wonderful read.

I loved the book, but I disliked the ending. Full of moralizing, that ends in immorality. But how can one prove this, as it won the Pulitzer. If your looking for an ending, you may be disappointed.