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John SteinbeckA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
John Ernst Steinbeck Jr. was born on February 27, 1902, in Salinas, California, to John Ernst Steinbeck and Olive Hamilton Steinbeck. His father, among other things, was the treasurer for Monterey County, where he spent much of his life. His mother was a former schoolteacher who loved reading and writing as much as he did. Steinbeck grew up with his three sisters—Beth, Ester, and Mary.
Steinbeck’s ties to Monterey County heavily influenced his writing and served as the setting for some of his most famous works, including Tortilla Flat (1935), Cannery Row (1945), and the short story “Flight” (1938). His father struggled to find his calling in life, moving from one job to another while his mother, a strong, independent woman, stayed home with the children. This dynamic between his uncertain father and strong mother can be seen in “Flight,” as the women are portrayed as strong and wise while the men make foolish mistakes.
Steinbeck decided that he wanted to be a writer when he was young—as early as age 14—but writing is not the only type of work he pursued. He also spent many of his summers working on ranches near his home in Monterey County.
By John Steinbeck
Cannery Row
Cannery Row
John Steinbeck
East of Eden
East of Eden
John Steinbeck
In Dubious Battle
In Dubious Battle
John Steinbeck
Of Mice and Men
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Sweet Thursday
Sweet Thursday
John Steinbeck
The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights
The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights
John Steinbeck
The Chrysanthemums
The Chrysanthemums
John Steinbeck
The Grapes of Wrath
The Grapes of Wrath
John Steinbeck
The Harvest Gypsies
The Harvest Gypsies: On the Road to the Grapes of Wrath
John Steinbeck
The Log From The Sea of Cortez
The Log From The Sea of Cortez
John Steinbeck
The Long Valley
The Long Valley
John Steinbeck
The Moon Is Down
The Moon Is Down
John Steinbeck
The Pearl
The Pearl
John Steinbeck
The Red Pony
The Red Pony
John Steinbeck
The Wayward Bus
The Wayward Bus
John Steinbeck
The Winter Of Our Discontent
The Winter Of Our Discontent
John Steinbeck
To a God Unknown
To a God Unknown
John Steinbeck
Tortilla Flat
Tortilla Flat
John Steinbeck
Travels With Charley
Travels With Charley
John Steinbeck