The Grapes of Wrath

By: John Steinbeck, Robert DeMott

Narrated by: Dylan Baker

Length: 21 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

John Steinbeck's powerful evocation of the suffering and hardship caused by the Great Depression, and a panoramic vision of the struggle for the American Dream, The Grapes of Wrath includes a critical introduction by Robert DeMott in Penguin Modern Classics. "I've done my damndest to rip a reader's nerves to rags, I don't want him satisfied".

Shocking and controversial when it was first published in 1939, Steinbeck's Pulitzer prize-winning epic The Grapes of Wrath remains his undisputed masterpiece. Set against the background of Dust Bowl Oklahoma and Californian migrant life, it tells of Tom Joad and his family, who, like thousands of others, are forced to travel west in search of the promised land. Their story is one of false hopes, thwarted desires, and broken dreams, yet out of their suffering Steinbeck created a drama that is intensely human, yet majestic in its scale and moral vision. Adapted into a celebrated film directed by John Ford, and starring Henry Fonda, The Grapes of Wrath is an eloquent tribute to the endurance and dignity of the human spirit.

John Steinbeck (1902-68), winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the Nobel Prize for literature, is remembered as one of the greatest and best-loved American writers of the 20th century. During the Second World War Steinbeck served as a war correspondent, with his collected dispatches published as Once There Was a War (1958); in 1945 he was awarded the Norwegian Cross of Freedom for his novel The Moon is Down (1942), a portrayal of Resistance efforts in northern Europe. His best-known works include the epics The Grapes of Wrath (1939) and East of Eden (1952), and his tragic novella Of Mice and Men (1937). John Steinbeck's complete works are published in Penguin Modern Classics. If you liked The Grapes of Wrath, you might enjoy East of Eden, also available in Penguin Classics.

©1939 John Steinbeck (P)2011 Penguin

Critic reviews

"It is Steinbeck's best novel, i.e., his toughest and tenderest, his roughest written and most mellifluous, his most realistic and, in its ending, his most melodramatic, his angriest and most idyllic. It is great in the way that Unlce Tom's Cabin was great. One of the most impassioned and exciting books of the year." (Time)

"One comes away moved, indignant, protesting, pitying. A fiery document of protest and compassion, as a story that had to be told, as a book that must be read." (Louis Kronenberger, The Nation)

"A novelist who is also a true poet" (Sunday Times)

Powerful

Before I read this, I read The People's History of the United States. A phenomenal work of history, but I think the Grapes of Wrath does a far better job convincing the reader of the ills of capitalism. The Joads are uneducated but still understand the problem they face; it is evident to all.

Awesome

To this point I only knew of the movie. The book is so much better even though the movie was superb. The reader must have practiced forever. He intoned "Okies" and Californians and all the people in the book perfectly -- bringing them to life. Frankly he must have been influenced by Henry Fonda's playing Tom Joed ... truly a fine piece of work

Wished I would've read/heard this years ago!

Had I read the whole story, when I took American Lit, I certainly would've fallen in love with Steinbeck years ago! Powerful, vivid, and emotional story. The depth of each character had me feeling as if I new them personally. I will probably listen to nearly every Steinbeck story now.

Wonderful way to experience this classic

I never read The Grapes of Wrath in school and this was my first experience of it. This was one of the best performances I have ever heard on Audible - and I listen to a lot of books! The book itself is at times hard to bear but completely worth it - truly a masterpiece and I learned alot from it. Highly recommend this audiobook!

greatest novel of the 20th century. I loved it to

greatest novel of the 20th century, I loved the narrator too by the way. he rrally breathed life into the characters.

First Steinbeck

Loved it. Tom was my favorite character. Then Ma, then Casey. Rose of Sharon was my least favorite. Followed by Ruthie and Winfield.

Great

Sad but very well written. Must read classic. Everyone should read this at least once.

Heartbreaking

This happened in America! It is amazing how cruel people can be. Seeing the movie isn't enough; this book is a must-read.

frighteningly relevant to the modern day

finally reread this as an adult. I see why it's a masterpiece and it speaks to themes we struggle with to this day. only it's a only gotten worse. The harmonica transitions are helpful to signal the end of a chapter but it's kind of grading on the ears. beyond that the voices were wonderfully well done. highly recommended.

Phenomenal book

The story brings you into the struggle of the average person bearing the difficulty of the Dust Bowl and Great depression. The narrator makes the characters come alive which allows the reader to become greatly immersed and to feel a closer connection with the Joad Family.