(B) Tortilla Flat (John Steinbeck, 1935) Grade: B
Considered one of the great American writers, Steinbeck’s Tortilla Flat reads like a fable, with each chapter offering a moral lesson. The characters’ poverty reflects the Great Depression and also provides a glimpse into California life at that time. His book was adapted into a 1942 film starring Spencer Tracy, which I’d be curious to see. Though I prefer Of Mice And Men, Tortilla is still a solid entry in Steinbeck’s body of work.