I loved it - and to my mind - it fits admirably an immediate need
in our season's lists, - the need for a richly patterned story spun
out of another layer of that peculiar underworld with which
Steinbeck is at his best. Once again, as in Tortilla?? Flat, he
makes no effort to stress "social significance". To be sure, one
can strain at his underlying meanings and say that such people
should not exist in today's plenty - but no one can argue that they
wouldn't exist again tomorrow if eliminated today. Flotsam?? and
jetsam of humanity, - the gang of boys who could get jobs but
didn't except when emergency demanded - and then quit when the
emergency passed. Lee's felicitous acquiescence to their thinly
veiled urging that they become caretakers of his newly acquired
shack; their neighbors in the deserted lot; Doc, high mogul of the
marine laboratory, doctor to the neighborhood on occasion, beloved
by all; and the others who made up the dregs of Cannery Row. The
story builds up to first one and then another climax, as the boys
plan a party for Doc. There's humor - and pathos - and sheer good
story telling as the incidents unfold. The plot is tenuous, held
together by the characters. But Steinbeck succeeds in making them
human, likable, out of drawing but never in caricature. And one
feels that to him, too, they are part of the flavor of a folk
legend of today. (Kirkus Reviews)
In the din and stink that is Cannery Row a colourful blend of misfits - gamblers, whores, drunks, bums, and artists - survive side by side in a jumble of adventure and mischief. Lee Chong, the astute owner of the fantastically well-stocked grocery store, is also the proprietor of the Palace Flophouse that Mack and his troupe of good-natured 'boys' call home. Dora, of the flaming orange hair and taste for Nile green dresses, runs the brothel with clockwork efficiency. Doc, who owns the laboratory, is the fount of all generosity and wisdom. Everybody wants to do something nice for Doc: the trouble is, he always ends up paying. Packed with invention and joie de vivre, Cannery Row is Steinbeck's high-spirited tribute to his native California.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
