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 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 and a generous heart. Doc, who owns the laboratory, is the fount of all 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.
©1945 John Steinbeck (P)2011 Hachette Digital
"Sometimes listening is better."
This book was set by our reading group. Unable to buy and read it in time I downloaded this audible version and am so glad. It really is a cracking little story, we all enjoyed it but when I briefly played part of my audible version at the meeting some members thought it too slow. Not a fast reader myself I particularly enjoyed the audible because it really brought out the poetic lyricism of the novella, enlivened the imagery and was simply such a pleasure to listen to. I'd recommend it every time.
"just perfect"
A Beautiful and characterful piece of writing from the man who wrote about the place he lived in and about the good that is always lurking somewhere in the hearts of men.
"A small story worth reading"
I decided to read some more highly regarded authors/books and Steinbeck was one of them. This is what I would call a 'small story' in that its just a little tale about a group of friends but obviously with all the things you can expect from Steinbeck, it's not Of Mice and Men or Grapes of Wrath but worth a read