Readings on "Of Mice and Men"

VOYA - Karen Herc

These two volumes can be thought of as the "regular" and the "light" versions of literary criticism on Steinbeck. The study guide from the Literary Companion Series (edited by Karson), while a more daunting size, is also much more complete than the Bloom's Reviews guide (edited by Bloom), in which many of the essays are edited nearly to the point of meaninglessness. Both books contain excerpted articles on Of Mice and Men, but Literary Companion has longer excerpts. Essays by five critics are included in both books, but while they average about six pages in Karson's book, they average less than two pages in Bloom's. Bloom also includes less biographical information on Steinbeck: about three pages versus fourteen pages in the Karson volume. Bloom's text does contain a plot review and a list of characters, however. Each of its sixteen critical essays features a brief summarizing introduction and good source notes. The Literary Companion guide also includes introductory paragraphs and source notes for each essay, but no plot summary. Its nineteen articles are divided into sections, but there are no clear reasons for why a particular essay falls under a particular heading. The essays are not arranged chronologically within the section, so occasionally an author refers to another text that appears later. The essays are varied and include feminist, Marxist, and allegorical readings of Steinbeck's work, and should provide students with a solid starting place for their own critical research. Some difficult terms are defined in the text by the editor. Although this is the more thorough of the two study guides, Bloom's volume is adequate if budget restraints prevent the purchase of the larger volume. Index. Biblio. Source Notes. Further Reading. Chronology. Note: This review was written and published to address two titles-John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men and Readings on Of Mice and Men. VOYA Codes: 4Q 1P S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses, No YA will read unless forced to for assignments, Senior High-defined as grades 10 to 12).

School Library Journal

Gr 9 UpFocusing on one of Steinbeck's short works that is often used in high school curricula, this volume begins with a 15-page biography of the author with emphasis on his writing life. The rest of the book explores Of Mice and Men through essays devoted to analysis of themes; symbols, structure, and fictional method; and major critical responses to the novel and the play. Essays on topics such as the nature of good and evil, the lyricism of the narrative, and "The Dream of a Male Utopia" are intellectually stimulating and accessible, and allow a clear picture of the work to emerge. It is also emphasized that there are many approaches to great works of literature and that different readers respond to different qualities and aspects. The appended chronology and list for further reading make this companion a valuable tool for initiating serious study of a great American work.Steve Matthews, Foxcroft School, Middleburg, VA