His novel "In Dubious Battle" shows that he wasn't just one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, but one of its more profound spiritual and social thinkers as well.
Gourgeous and beautiful. East of Eden is among the most transformative anchors in the development of my psyche. Thank you for bringing attention to correlations these many years later.
So instead of a young man losing his soul to a cold and violent spirit (largely because of his inexperience and abstract intellectualism), French sees a “self-confident… and resourceful student [with] leadership abilities.” And this was the first president of the John Steinbeck Society. To read his introduction after reading the book is like tracing a map of misunderstanding.5
Horrific.
Thank you for this piece - it's a beautiful bit of writing, perfectly structured, and lovingly paced. x
I agree. There's a level of truth in literature that can't be found elsewhere. The beauty and richness of life, the deeper soul and spiritual realities, can find expression there in profound ways.
I went to a performance of A Christmas Carol a few weeks back (which I've never actually read, but only watched), and was amazed to see Scrooge's transformation, and to witness it with a huge group of people as well. And it's probably the 20th time I've seen it. (And speaking of Dickens, I read David Copperfield a few years back and was astounded. Sometimes I think such authors are the closest we have to initiates working publicly...)
Gourgeous and beautiful. East of Eden is among the most transformative anchors in the development of my psyche. Thank you for bringing attention to correlations these many years later.
Same, on East of Eden. It was perfectly times for young me when it arrived. Timshel, baby! Timshel!
So instead of a young man losing his soul to a cold and violent spirit (largely because of his inexperience and abstract intellectualism), French sees a “self-confident… and resourceful student [with] leadership abilities.” And this was the first president of the John Steinbeck Society. To read his introduction after reading the book is like tracing a map of misunderstanding.5
Horrific.
Thank you for this piece - it's a beautiful bit of writing, perfectly structured, and lovingly paced. x
Thanks. Glad it resonated.
I agree. There's a level of truth in literature that can't be found elsewhere. The beauty and richness of life, the deeper soul and spiritual realities, can find expression there in profound ways.
I went to a performance of A Christmas Carol a few weeks back (which I've never actually read, but only watched), and was amazed to see Scrooge's transformation, and to witness it with a huge group of people as well. And it's probably the 20th time I've seen it. (And speaking of Dickens, I read David Copperfield a few years back and was astounded. Sometimes I think such authors are the closest we have to initiates working publicly...)
(And FYI - I wrote an article a couple years ago about some of the best novels on social life. If you're interested: https://thewholesocial.substack.com/p/7-best-novels-on-social-life)