Review by Choice Review
The late John Steinbeck was in the habit of keeping journals as he created his fictions, sometimes as a means of clearing his head for work, and sometimes as simple pump-priming. The journal he kept during the writing of East of Eden has long since seen print as Journal of a Novel (CH, Oct '70), but this is the first publication of the log the writer kept during the white-heat composition of this most celebrated volume. Unlike the Eden journal, nominally directed toward his editor Pascal Covici, the Grapes text seems to be Steinbeck speaking directly to himself, as though--anticipating technology by decades--he were gently, directly, personally, doing a voice-over for his own video. Editor DeMott has provided an introduction that is well worth purchasing for its own sake, and the journal entries are extended by providing copy dealing with the period before Steinbeck converted his firsthand experience of labor unrest and economic hardship into a classic novel (at Los Gatos, in 1938) and also after its appearance made him a celebrity--and something of a target. Rare illustrations are included, along with thorough annotation. Accompanying a newly set edition of the novel itself, this 50th-anniversary present to Steinbeck's millions of readers is superbly annotated, and it ought to make for creative scholarship at all levels of studentship. The title, by the way, is admirably chosen, for "work" is the writer's core and credo during those illustrious days when The Grapes of Wrath came into being. A must-acquire volume for nearly every serious librarian. -J. M. Ditsky, University of Windsor
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
April 14, 1989, will mark the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of Steinbeck's classic novel The Grapes of Wrath-- which, alone, was responsible for garnering the author the Nobel Prize, despite his reputation as a literary lightweight. Viking is marking the event by publishing the journals kept by Steinbeck on a daily basis during the five months in which he composed this novel. Steinbeck used the jottings as a warm-up exercise for his daily quota of 2,000 words. Tucked between entries complaining of encroaching suburbia and its attendant noises, along with the social obligations caused by his precedent success with Of Mice and Men, are self-doubts and personal chastisements-- superseded, nevertheless, by a dogged perseverance. This should be a real aid to Steinbeck fans and scholars. No index or bibliography. AW.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
While writing his greatest novel in 1938, Steinbeck kept a journal that chronicled his torments, self-doubts, late and false starts, reversals and other struggles to achieve his goal. There are references to his typist-wife Carol Henning, his agent Elizabeth Otis, his publisher Pascal Covici and to the documentary filmmaker Pare Lorentz, whose style strongly influenced the structure of Steinbeck's novel. Entry #100, 26 October 1938, ends, ``Finished this dayand I hope to God it's good.'' Another 21 entries deal with the aftermath, to January 1941. The repetitiveness and at times boring nature of the journal may deter general readers, who will, however, appreciate the extensive introduction, comments, notes and annotations of DeMott, professor of English at Ohio University. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
These journal notations, which Steinbeck used as ``stretching exercises'' to warm up to his daily 2000-word stints during his five months' labor on Grapes , shed an interesting light on his working habits. His references to the novel-in-progress take the completed novel pretty much for granted--much as a marathon runner is far less concerned with the route and the finish line than with what mile-marker he is at, how his condition is, and whether he will be able to slog out the distance. Few readers of Grapes , with its irresistible narrative drive and effortless panoramic prose style, would guess at the dogged, self-doubting day-laborer's mood of these notes. The accompanying commentary and annotations by the editor are informative, generally judicious, and relatively thorough.-- Earl Rovit, City Coll., CUNY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by School Library Journal Review
YA-- Divided into three parts, each with commentary, deMott provides preface and acknowledgements as well as a context-setting introduction for events and people in John Steinbeck's life during the time he wrote The Grapes of Wrath. Concluding with notes and annotations to the journal entries, this book may be a bit more than is needed for most student research at the high-school level. It does, however, provide some fascinating details on the great American writer's life and writing style, and gives insight into Steinbeck's commitment and dedication to his work.-- Jenni Elliott, Episcopal High School, Bellaire, TX (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A pleasant trove of work notes released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of The Grapes of Wrath. Editor DeMott (English/Ohio Univ.) accidentally dug up this brief manuscript material while researching another book on Steinbeck. It's presented here with copious critical apparatus, including introduction, commentary, critical notes, and illustrations (not seen). In fact, there is more spectacle than event to the finished product. Steinbeck's journal ""entries"" are mostly short, rushed notes exhorting himself to finish the book. They explain little about Grapes, and reinforce the impression of skeptical critics that he mechanically plodded through the novel filling average people with clich‚d speech. More compelling is Steinbeck's anxiety over external obstacles that arose during the book's five-month composition (June-October 1938), which shows him losing almost all control and confidence. He began the journal and novel shortly after the death of his brother-in-law, was constantly bothered by loan-seekers and self-doubt, and worried over everything from Hitler's war maneuvers to the sale of his house. ""Did ever a book get written under such excitement,"" he writes, and collapses into disappointment when finished: "". . .it isn't the great book I had hoped it would be. It's just a run-of-the-mill book."" Admirably compiled and annotated by DeMott, and a must for Steinbeck fans, this is an otherwise modest literary treat. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Booklist Review
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Review by Library Journal Review
Review by School Library Journal Review
Review by Kirkus Book Review
