Sweet Thursday
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Steinbeck is a safe place for me. I read Sweet Thursday over the holidays and there’s something so cozy about his writing, like slipping into a well-worn shoe. This story in particular has a pleasant lethargy to it. It doesn’t have a bunch of bells and whistles. It’s just a squad of poor people in Monterey, California working together to make the most of their community after World War II. A new girl comes into town, starts working at the local brothel, and that shakes things up for the guys at the nearby Flophouse.
The characters are endearing because they’re so earnest in their friendships. There are lots of booze-induced, silly fights and their well-intentioned escapades often fizzle into poor execution that’s misconstrued. But at the end of the day, all they have is each other, so they cling to their camaraderie.
I enjoyed this book, but it’s nothing to write home about. Steinbeck is adept at romanticizing those on the outskirts of society but the draw of Sweet Thursday’s simplicity is also what prevents it from being something truly special and worth going out of my way to recommend. Thus, it receives 3 out of flames. It’s not a page-turner that you’re itching to finish but it’s a soothing, easy pick up.
Steinbeck is my boy and even though I don’t necessarily rave about his books, I’ve read most of them and respect him as a writer. Some of my favorites include East of Eden and The Pearl. Tortilla Flat and The Red Pony were less interesting to me. My strongest recommendation is to not sleep on his non-fiction. Travels with Charley in Search of America is excellent (it’s also a great gift for the Steinbeck fan in your life).
