Blog #5: Personal Review
For the most part, I enjoyed this novel by John Steinbeck. What I found very effective was the style in which it was written. Steinbeck’s choice to include random anecdotes that had little to do with the overall plot gave the story a unique character. Also, the use of terse fragmented sentences made for an easy read, while allowing readers to hear Steinbeck’s thoughts and understand the story from his perspective. His distinctive style gave Cannery Row an interesting twist, varied from the traditional style in which most novels are written.
I felt that Steinbeck’s use of contradicting themes played the most significant role in the development of the story. Throughout the novel, there are several narratives being told, with a shift in tone from story to story. Steinbeck was successful in revealing the effects of the loneliness of some and the warm-heartedness of others. This was evident through the suicide of the bartender who felt that he was unloved and alone in a city full of people and Mac, the bum who could not manage to find a job, but out of love nursed a dieing puppy back to health. I found it interesting how Steinbeck used these contradictions to convey the variety in which different people handle obstacles they are faced with.
While most of the novel was enjoyable to read, I felt that Steinbeck could have benefited from providing a few more details regarding the side stories that branched off from the main plot. By not including such insight, the story lost a certain depth that would have broadened the overall impact of the novel. However, including more details would make for a longer novel and I typically prefer stories that are short and to the point. Therefore, Steinbeck’s lack of details in the branching stories did not significantly alter my overall view of the Cannery Row.
I also enjoyed Steinbeck's style. Cannery Row was written in a way different from what I have read all my life, which I found refreshing. It wasn't as plot-oriented as most books, focusing on one character's life. It chronicled the lives of many of the citizens of Monterey in a way that brought life to the story. I felt that Steinbeck sought more to create a sense of Cannery Row than merely focusing on main characters.
ReplyDeleteI think the lack of details in certain stories allowed the reader to finish the rest of the story in their mind, which purposefully lets the reader create their own version of Cannery Row.