Title: Of Mice and Men
Author: John Steinbeck
Narrator: Mark Hammer
Publisher: Recorded Books
Duration: 4 hours, 1 minute
Copyright: 1999
Genres: period, classic fiction
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: An intimate portrait of two men who cherish the slim bond between them and the dream they share in a world marred by petty tyranny, misunderstanding, jealousy, and callousness. Clinging to each other in their loneliness and alienation, George and his simple-minded friend Lenny dream, as drifters will, of a place to call their own — a couple of acres and a few pigs, chickens, and rabbits back in Hill Country where land is cheap. But after they come to work on a ranch in the fertile Salinas Valley of California, their hopes, like "the best laid schemes of mice and men," begin to go awry.
MY THOUGHTS: In his own words, John Steinbeck called “Of Mice and Men” a “playable novel.” He wrote the novel in defined scenes that could be easily acted out just as they are written, with very little editing. In fact, “Of Mice and Men” was developed into a play soon after its publication and it was that play, along with the subsequent movie, that made John Steinbeck a household name.
I liked this audiobook a lot. You just can’t help but feel for Lenny, and I always find myself wishing things could have turned out better for him. Steinbeck uses his believable characters to discuss such topics as loneliness, the callousness of the world, and the importance of taking care of your own.
NARRATOR: I liked Mark Hammer’s narration of “Of Mice and Men” very much. He’s not a master of voices, but he matches the speech of the characters nicely. His interpretation of Lenny was particularly convincing.
FINAL WORD: This audiobook has some important lessons for us all, and also provides an insider view of a piece of American history and culture. “Of Mice and Men” is highly recommended.
FILM ADAPTATION: The most recent film adaptation for “Of Mice and Men” was in 1992. Gary Sinise directed, produced, and starred in this excellent film, along with fellow actors John Malkovich and Ray Walston. Sinise and Malkovich made the perfect George and Lenny if you ask me.
“Of Mice and Men” was received well by critics but made only $5 million at the box office. Why is it that critics and fans always have opposite opinions?
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
The Moon Is Down by John Steinbeck (Audiobook Review)
The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald (Audiobook Review)
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway (Audiobook Review)
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This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
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I've always wanted to read this but never have. Well, this got a good review and I do believe it has 'classic' written all over it.
ReplyDeleteLet me finish Animal Farm first... :)
I read this in high school and watched the movie with Gary Sinese, spelling? Then after I went blind I had this mystery box of audio books and one day I pulled out a book, popped it in the cd player, and it was 'Of Mice and Men'. It was narrated by Gary Sinese. I had forgotten how much I liked the book in high school and how much I liked Lenny. I had also forgotten how it ended. Don't worry, I won't write it here. It was a joy to find that book again, though. JayNoi, you gotta read it. ;)
ReplyDeleteOk I definitely didn't spell Gary's last name correctly. He's the one who was in 'Forrest Gump'. He was also in the movie, 'The Stand' and he's in the tv show, 'CSI: New York'. I could google him, but I'm lazy. ;)