Book Review: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Of Mice and Men was a book I decided to read for Semi-Charmed's winter book challenge because it was 105 pages, one of the challenge requirements. But I also read it because I never got the chance in high school. Of Mice and Men is one of those books that people read because they are told to, or only watch the movie. Then when school is over and you passed your test, you never think about it again.

Which is a shame because it is an excellent book.

Lennie and George are two farm hands who travel from place to place. The book begins with them on the road, walking next to a river bank in Southeastern America. From the moment the characters begin to speak, you'll notice something different.

Lennie has special needs and George takes care of him as best he could in the early 1900s. I always thought Lennie was such an interesting character because Of Mice and Men was published in 1937, a time not necessarily known for being inclusive towards people with disabilities of any kind... or really anyone who wasn't a WASP. But Steinbeck wrote about Lennie and wrote him in such a way where you learn to care for him like George does.

Even though George whines about how easy his life would be without Lennie following him around, you can tell that he likes keeping him around. This relationship is why I enjoyed the book as much as I did. With every situation they got into, George always tried to guide Lennie to do what wouldn't get him in trouble with the boss while also protecting himself. And Lennie looked up to George like a younger sibling does to an older one.

It's difficult to review this book because it's so short. I don't want to give away anything that would spoil the ending. Just know that every moment, every situation, every detail leads up to the last 10 pages. That's what's important about a book that's only 105 pages. Every detail counts.

I would definitely recommend this book if you want a short, quick read. Or if you're interested in reading a classic that is simple to understand and not the length of War and Peace (1,440 pages).

I tried to find an appropriate gif from the Of Mice and Men movie, but when I went to find something, all that came up was some punk/rock band with the same name? This band does not do Steinbeck's book title justice, I tell ya.