Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.84 You Save: $6.16 (62%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Tortilla Flat
Book Review: An Arthurian Marvel
Summary: 5 Stars
Tortilla Flat was an actual place in Carmel that John Steinbeck placed in Monterey. He took some stories about the paisanos (a mixture of Spanish, Indian, Mexican and Caucasian bloods) that lived in this marginal place consisting of shacks and, using the style of the Arthurian legends, spun these tales about Danny and his friends. They are meant to be humorous and serious at times, and the characters are larger than life. Certainly, no one could live as Danny, Pilon, Jesus Marie, Big Joe Portagee and the Pirate, consuming wine by the gallon, eating whatever they can steal and taking up and whoring with any woman they want, but this is hardly the point. The tales have an epic proportion to them like Malory's knights of yore but from the vantagepoint of the New World. This makes Tortilla Flat an entertaining and cleverly written book. Danny is the central character of the book and the anchor that holds his group of friends together. They may be vagabonds but they have a moral code. An example: the Pirate lives with five dogs in a chicken coop. He takes some kindling wood into town each day and receives a quarter for it. He does not spend the money but hoards it. The paisanos estimate it to be $100 and think of stealing it, but are unable to follow the Pirate to where he has hidden the money. To get around this problem they invite the Pirate to live with him and try to discover the whereabouts of the money by suggesting it could be stolen quite easily. The Pirate eventually brings the money to the paisanos and discloses why he is saving it: the money is to fulfill a promise made to St. Francis to present a golden candlestick to a church in the saints honor. Why? Because the saint cured an illness one of his dogs had. Once the paisanos know the money is for a religious purpose they guard it diligently. The chapter in Tortilla Flat when the Pirate's vow is fulfilled is one of the most beautiful and memorable in the book.
This is a beautifully written book filled with humor and pathos. Mr. Steinbeck was criticized in writing this book by some readers who could not enter into the spirit of the book thinking he was glorifying the free and easy lives of Danny and company. This was not his intention; he was only telling stories inspired by the free spirits of the paisanos. Unfortunately for us, this criticism was bitter and Mr. Steinbeck never undertook such a book again. It is our loss that he could not give us another Tortilla Flat.
Book Review: Better Choices Abound
Summary: 3 Stars
Being a huge fan of the great works of Steinbeck (The Grapes of Wrath,Of Mice and Men, etc...), I was very excited to receive a beautiful old copy of this book as a present. On the whole, however, the story is somewhat dissappointing, especially compared to Steinbeck's later works.While Steinbeck's later works are marked by an exceptionally intricate and thorough examination of theme, Tortilla Flat was disjointed. I realize that the story is perhaps meant to be presented as a series of small vignettes, yet these vignettes occasionally contradict each other. While the theme of ownership vs. friendship is evident, Steinbeck never really accomplishes a complete and satisfying examination of the theme.
The book still is of great value to Steinbeck fans. Being Steinbeck's first book, it really illustrates his progression as a writer. For example, where his later work expertly employed the common language of his characters, Steinbeck's characters in Tortilla Flat vacillate betwee a sort of Shakespearean old English and a more common, modern language.
Another interesting aspect of the book is the "Communist" view that individual ownership corrupts friendship and humanity. Especially in light of the controversy over Communist themes in Grapes of Wrath, it is somewhat striking to see that Steinbeck was in fact exploring similar themes a decade earlier.
Tortilla Flat is a good book for Steinbeck fans to study. For those just wanting to read a Steinbeck, something like Grapes of Wrath is a much more applicable, well-written classic.
Book Review: Boring you say?!?!??!
Summary: 5 Stars
When my father approached me and told me of Tortilla Flat, I assumed that the story would be heavy-going, based on characters with lives not worth knowing about. However, after reading the book for myself in just two nights, I found the characters amusing noticing their quaintness and eccentricity. The plot is certainly not the focal point of the book, it is indeed Steinbeck's genius that brings such stories to life with the autencity of the characters. It is difficult to explain a specific quality that makes this book such a fine read, I can only suggest that if Steinbeck appeals to you then this book is certainly one of his most delightful works.
Book Review: Brilliant, but slow
Summary: 4 Stars
Steinbeck's novel is extreemly clever. It is very funny, with a sharp satirical edge. However the plot is very slow moveing. It is, however, enjoyable simply to follow the adventures of the colourful characters and apreciate the rich language.Book Review: Cheers!
Summary: 5 Stars
John Steinbeck knows about people and he knows how to tell a story. Much like with his other works, this is evident in "Tortilla Flat". While the book really does not have a dominant plot, the story reflects some interesting people with their quirks in a realistic situation.
Returning from a tour of duty, Danny finds that he has inherited some property which includes two houses. While Danny lives in one house, he collects friends like bottles of cheap wine to live in the other house. But when the second house burns, his friends are forced to move in with him. The house get even more crowded as more friends join the lackadasical lifestyle of taking in sunsets and sipping wine. With each new friends comes a new idiosyncracy that is added to the dynamic of friends. Then the day came when Danny seemed to snap for no particular reason. With Danny's demise, the friends go their separate ways.
John Steinbeck captures the human spirit with the colorful backdrop of early 20th century California in many of his works. With "Tortilla Flat", Steinbeck proves that he does not really need a strong plot to write an entertaining book.