Discover the fascinating life of John Steinbeck in 'Mad at the World,' the first comprehensive biography of the Nobel laureate in over 25 years. This compelling narrative by Pulitzer Prize finalist William Souder delves deep into Steinbeck's journey as a writer, marked by resilience during the Great Depression and a passion for social justice. Explore his extraordinary body of work, including classics like 'The Grapes of Wrath,' 'Of Mice and Men,' and 'The Red Pony,' highlighting his profound empathy for humanity. Understand how Steinbeck grappled with the trials of life as he chronicled the struggles of the Dust Bowl migrants and the marginalized communities of Cannery Row while confronting issues like income inequality and ecological collapse. Despite his flaws and a complex personality filled with contradictions, Steinbeck's legacy as a champion for the voiceless continues to resonate today. This biography not only reveals the man behind the pen but also sheds light on the societal challenges that persist in contemporary discourse. With 464 pages of rich, detailed storytelling, 'Mad at the World' is a must-read for literature enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled. Condition: BRAND NEW. ISBN: 9780393868326. Year: 2021. Publisher: W W Norton & Company.

Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.

Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780393868326
Year: 2021
Publisher: W W Norton & Company
Pages: 464


Description:


The first full-length biography of the Nobel laureate to appear in a quarter century, Mad at the World illuminates what has made the work of John Steinbeck an enduring part of the literary canon: his capacity for empathy. Pulitzer Prize finalist William Souder explores Steinbeck's long apprenticeship as a writer struggling through the depths of the Great Depression, and his rise to greatness with masterpieces such as The Red Pony, Of Mice and Men, and The Grapes of Wrath. Angered by the plight of the Dust Bowl migrants who were starving even as they toiled to harvest California's limitless bounty, fascinated by the guileless decency of the downtrodden denizens of Cannery Row, and appalled by the country's refusal to recognize the humanity common to all of its citizens, Steinbeck took a stand against social injustice?paradoxically given his inherent misanthropy?setting him apart from the writers of the so-called "lost generation."


A man by turns quick-tempered, compassionate, and ultimately brilliant, Steinbeck could be a difficult person to like. Obsessed with privacy, he was mistrustful of people. Next to writing, his favorite things were drinking and womanizing and getting married, which he did three times. And while he claimed indifference about success, his mid-career books and movie deals made him a lot of money?which passed through his hands as quickly as it came in. And yet Steinbeck also took aim at the corrosiveness of power, the perils of income inequality, and the urgency of ecological collapse, all of which drive public debate to this day.


Steinbeck remains our great social realis