John Steinbeck and his prose

Christian Gross

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Aug 19, 2003, 12:19:16 PM8/19/03

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I just read one of John Steinbeck's novels (East of Eden).

I am throughly impressed. He was a very good writer. What is it
about his writing style that makes everything seem so smooth and
elegant? The words he uses seem to me to be one level higher than
"Jack and Jill went over the hill".

Could somebody explain what his prose is and why it works? Or am I
just reading too much into it? Is his writing style "modern"?

Thanks...

Christian Gross

William Starr Moake

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Aug 19, 2003, 2:34:09 PM8/19/03

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On Tue, 19 Aug 2003 18:19:16 +0200, Christian Gross
<christi...@yahoo.ca> wrote:

>I just read one of John Steinbeck's novels (East of Eden).
>
>I am throughly impressed. He was a very good writer.

I agree. Although his later novels weren't as popular as his early
ones, I think Steinbeck is the second best writer America ever
produced (Mark Twain being the best).

>What is it about his writing style that makes everything seem so smooth and
>elegant? The words he uses seem to me to be one level higher than
>"Jack and Jill went over the hill"

For a style even simpler, read his "Of Mice and Men." It is written
like a modern fable.

>
>Could somebody explain what his prose is and why it works? Or am I
>just reading too much into it?

I wouldn't say so, since he won the Nobel Prize for Literature.

> Is his writing style "modern"?

Steinbeck, along with Hemingway and Sinclair Lewis, used a style
patterned after journalism: short delcarative sentences, realistic
dialogue, etc. In fact, "The Grapes of Wrath" began as a newspaper
article.

Alan Hope

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Aug 19, 2003, 4:59:58 PM8/19/03

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Christian Gross goes:

>I just read one of John Steinbeck's novels (East of Eden).

>I am throughly impressed. He was a very good writer. What is it
>about his writing style that makes everything seem so smooth and
>elegant? The words he uses seem to me to be one level higher than
>"Jack and Jill went over the hill".

I tend to think you've answered your own question, right there in the
same paragraph.

Of course, a part of it is that he was tackling momentous themes --
East of Eden is a family saga of sibling rivalry (among other things)
spanning three generations, spinning off from the Genesis story of
Cain and Abel (the brothers in the James Dean section were Caleb and
Aaron, as I recall, while their father and his brother were
similarly-initialled). Steinbeck was likewise Biblical in Grapes of
Wrath (an Exodus story) and Winter of Our Discontent. That he was able
to carry such themes while writing in simple language is
quintessentially the mark of his talent, which both you and the
Swedish Academy were able to discern.

You could almost say that great writing is the telling of complex
tales in a simple way. I can think of examples where one or both terms
are not met, but not many.

--
AH

ActiveVerb

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Aug 19, 2003, 5:45:06 PM8/19/03

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Actually, a lot of his later books were big sellers. They weren't as big
critical successes.

ing

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Aug 19, 2003, 10:21:29 PM8/19/03

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"Travels with Charlie" is my fave of his, though "Of Mice & Men" is one
I'll NEVER forget or "Grapes of Wrath" either. I don't know if he's the
best American writer ever - but probably close. I'm a big Bellow fan -
can't seem to get Bellow out of my head when folks talk about the "best"
American writer. Mind you, Bellow was born in Quebec -- maybe that has
something to do with it. Plus raised in Chicago, home of my recent
ancestors. I might be biased.

And if you ever liked Bellow's stuff, you should pick up Mordecai
Richler's "Barney's Version" ... oh my. such a fabulous and
entertaining, heartbreaking read that is. Can't recommend that one
highly enough.

Note to the Redneck: I got "The Road Home" on order and will probably
pick up that Viet Nam book you recommended too. Am currently reading
Woodward's "Bush at War" -- and got the "Dyslexicon" one in waiting,
sitting on the coffee table. (This has lately been a political summer of
reading, what with following the Hutton inquiry and all. Fascinating
stuff that is! Am reaching out in all directions.) Anyway, now I need a
copy of YOUR book. That's next and it's on my list. Thanks for all the
great reading tips lately!

ing

Christian Gross

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Aug 20, 2003, 1:56:04 AM8/20/03

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On Tue, 19 Aug 2003 08:34:09 -1000, William Starr Moake
<wsm...@yahoo.com> wrote:

>
>Steinbeck, along with Hemingway and Sinclair Lewis, used a style
>patterned after journalism: short delcarative sentences, realistic
>dialogue, etc. In fact, "The Grapes of Wrath" began as a newspaper
>article.

Interesting, yes, hmmm.... Mumbling to myself. I never would have
thought that it related to journalism though...

Thanks

Christian Gross

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Aug 20, 2003, 1:56:49 AM8/20/03

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On Tue, 19 Aug 2003 22:59:58 +0200, Alan Hope <ah...@skynet.be> wrote:

>Christian Gross goes:

>
>I tend to think you've answered your own question, right there in the
>same paragraph.
>

I guess I was asking rhetorically in a way...

>
>You could almost say that great writing is the telling of complex
>tales in a simple way. I can think of examples where one or both terms
>are not met, but not many.

Good point...

Thanks..

Christian Gross