Tortilla Flat (1935)

I've not read a lot of steinbeck, but enough to think this was different from anything else I'd read of his. This was one of the most amusing, endearing books I'd ever read. ( )

I liked this book, though it took a while to get into the rhythm of it. I love Steinbeck's use of language. The King Athur analogy is interesting, though I didn't always follow it. Is Danny Arthur? Or is Arthur dead? Arthur Morales did die in the Great War, after all. I could re-read this and try to put all that together but I wont.

That was an interesting group of guys in the house. Yes, I am inclined to call them bums but I see Mr. Steinbeck was none too pleased about that in 1937 in an intro to the edition published that year. It was a good story and a different way of looking at the world but not my way and that's okay. Monterey in the 20s and 30s is a fascinating place. Knowing the original readers were much closer in time to this makes me wonder how they received this fairy tale, how much of it resonated with them, instead of my view of "historical fiction".

The intro in my copy mentioned the discussions of a middle aged white guy writing a story about Paisanos who don't work, who fight, who get drunk. Well, he wrote it in 1935 and I didn't think it was indicative of Mexican Americans in general; I was thinking of depression era people, actually, but that is definitely a topic worth discussing.

I felt it was humorous but a little bittersweet. Very fable like. I understand this book is what put John Steinbeck on the map. It probably would not be as well received today. I do feel like I should tackle one of his larger books. ( )

This is one of the Steinbeck books I had not read. I love his empathy for the outcasts of society!
( )

Funny, sad & moving. What more can I ask for? Worth a reread every now & then.

- Morever, Torrelli had, Pilon knew, the Italians ' exaggerated and wholly quixotic ideal of martial relations.
- It is astounding to find that the belly of every black and evil thing is as white as snow. And it is saddening to discover how the concealed parts of angels are leprous.
- It was curious how soberly they drank that night. It was three hours before they sang even an obscene song. And it was late before their thoughts strayed to light women. And by the time their minds turned to fighting they were almost too sleepy to fight. This evening was a great good marker in their lives.
- See how many satisfactions he has made with his pig - affection, love, revenge, and food. ( )

This book is a delight. Irreverent, hilarious, blunt in sharing the human condition. When I lived in Monterey decades ago, I thought I had read all of Steinbeck's works by the time I left. Somehow I missed this one until now. I loved it. The early Steinbeck was far more lighthearted than the novelist he became with the Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden. Enjoy. ( )