Love letters, disguised as interconnected short stories, written by Steinbeck to the state of California. ( )

Families living in a little rural valley in California do the whole lives of quiet desperation thing in this series of interconnected short stories that lack the oomph of Steinbeck's later works. It's like seeing the stumbling, early steps toward themes, characters, and settings that he'll one day dance through with grace and power.

I'm glad I read this, but that doesn't totally offset how bored I was while reading it. ( )

Steinbeck’s second work, published in 1932, is a series of interconnected short stories about a valley near Salinas, California. A Spanish explorer “discovers” it in the 1700s and names it Las Pasturas del Cielo. The subsequent stories take place in the 1800s. As with many short story collections, some are more appealing than others. They are written in Steinbeck’s flowing literary style. It is easy to picture the residents of this small farming community. Steinbeck excels at establishing his characters’ traits quickly.

This book captures the irony of living in a “heavenly” valley while experiencing pain and suffering. It is easy to find comparisons to the Garden of Eden. I am glad to have read it to see how Steinbeck’s writing progressed. I am a fan of his later works, especially The Grapes of Wrath and Cannery Row. I hope to eventually read his complete catalogue. I listened to the audio book, narrated by Sean Runnette in a low key, fluid style.

3.5
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93/12-Κυριαρχεί μια ήρεμη θλίψη. Οι περισσότερες ιστορίες έχουν θλιβερό τέλος. Ιστορίες που περιγράφουν ιδιαίτερους χαρακτήρες ( ένας χαζός, ένας ψεύτης, μια τρελή και πάει λέγοντας ) χωρίς να είναι εξωπραγματικές. ( )

I really liked this book! It's 'Steinbeck Country' filled with 'Steinbeck People'! This one is a collection of short stories, all set in, and connected by "Las Pasturas Del Cielo", the pastures of heaven! I enjoyed them all, but my favorites were Chapter Three, with "Shark" Wicks and his fantasy ledger of wealth, Chapter Four, and the story of Tularecito, the giant man/boy who drew beautiful animals, and Chapter Seven, with the joyful sisters Maria and Rosa, and their 'tortilla' business! And Steinbeck does a beautiful job of wrapping it all up in a literary bow with the wistful last chapter, with even myself dreamily waving goodbye to the fertile, peaceful valley. ( )