Summary

The author of such classics as East of Eden, Of Mice and Men, The Red Pony, and more, John Steinbeck won a Pulitzer Prize in 1940 for The Grapes of Wrath. He was awarded the 1962 Nobel Prize in literature "for his realistic as well as imaginative writings, distinguished by a sympathetic humour and a keen social perception."

Critical Companion to John Steinbeck celebrates this preeminent American writer who in his works confronted and explored the social fabric of the United States in the early 20th century. More than 500 entries include synopses of his novels, short stories, and nonfiction; descriptions of his characters, from the Joad family in The Grapes of Wrath to Lennie Small in Of Mice and Men; details about family, friends, and associates; information about film and television adaptations of Steinbeck's works; and discussions of places that influenced Steinbeck—from Salinas, California to Paris, France.

Coverage includes:

• A concise but comprehensive biography of Steinbeck
• Detailed synopses of, and critical commentary on, Steinbeck's works, including his novels, short stories, dramatic works, and nonfiction
• Discussions of the main characters of major works
• Descriptions of major film and television adaptations
• Entries on family, friends, and places important to Steinbeck
• and more.

Specifications

Black-and-white photographs and illustrations. Index. Appendixes. Bibliographies. Cross-references. Chronology.

About the Author(s)

Jeffrey Schultz holds a B.A. from Georgetown University and an M.A. from Claremont Graduate School. He has taught history, government, and humanities at Colorado College, Ashland University, and White Plains College. For the past 10 years, Schultz has produced political, religious, and literary reference books, including The C.S. Lewis Readers' Encyclopedia, The Encyclopedia of Women in American Politics, and Presidential Scandals. He also is associate producer of a documentary film on C.S. Lewis for PBS. In preparing this project, he has consulted with and acquired selected entries from a board of Steinbeck scholars.

Luchen Li holds a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon and is Assistant Professor of Humanities at Kettering University in Michigan. His writing has appeared in The Steinbeck Review and The Moral Philosophy of John Steinbeck. He is also the author of John Steinbeck: A Documentary Volume (Dictionary of Literary Biography, volume 309).