Tortilla Flat

De: John Steinbeck

Narrado por: John McDonough

Adopting the structure and themes of the Arthurian legend, Steinbeck created a Camelot on a shabby hillside above the town of Monterey, California, and peopled it with a colorful band of knights. At the center of the tale is Danny, whose house, like Arthur’s castle, becomes a gathering place for men looking for adventure, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging—men who fiercely resist the corrupting tide of honest toil and civil rectitude.

As Steinbeck chronicles their deeds—their multiple lovers, their wonderful brawls, their Rabelaisian wine-drinking—he spins a tale as compelling and ultimately as touched by sorrow as the famous legends of the Round Table, which inspired him.

Public Domain (P)2011 Penguin

Different study of Steinbeck

If you could sum up Tortilla Flat in three words, what would they be?

Interesting - a negative sterio-type of Mexicans in America

What could John Steinbeck have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Nothing - really - maybe a disclamer to say this isn't really what Mexicans are like.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the baby was dying and they didn't even realize it or really seem to care.

Uncanny & Beautiful

Though all of Steinbeck lends a beautiful simplicity and comedy to life, this story had a particularly earthly feel. The smallest of towns and the smallness of the world were palpable.

One image is unshakeable — the human/hawk/hovering cloud over Danny’s head — a precursor to Infinite Jest’s “shadow of the wing of the thing too big to see.” Steinbeck’s surrealist, uncanny movements — just for a moment — take you from the grays and dust of Tortilla Flat to a place just beyond our world, where the rules of our earth are suspended and imagination reigns. As with the boy who stumbles upon the eye of the Chinese nightwalker in Cannery Row, we can only wonder alongside poor Danny and his friends.

awesome

Only Suttree stands close to true hoboness of this fine old homeless family tree. One of my favorite Steinbecks

you know, stienbeck! lots of details & hidden msg

i didnt get it. but i enjoyed it. you know, stienbeck man! gotta look 4 the hidden messages

Enjoy!

John Steinbeck never fails to succeed. The lush descriptions of the places and the extraordinary character development move the stories along in their pleasing plots.

this is the Steinbeck that I forget

2020 Reread - I am lowering this one to three stars, because the story had not stayed with me, and on reread I wasn't charmed by the characters.

Original Review, 2017 - My love of Steinbeck continues, and I have never found the words to say why I am so enamored of everything he writes. His books have weight and heart and substance. His characters are imperfect and take me on a journey through all the emotions I have ever felt. He makes me think and feel. This isn't in my top Steinbeck reads but it is still worthy of four stars.

great book!

I love this author, book was great. I also suggest east of Eden. cannery row is a little more similar to this I believe. Steinbeck really depicts Californian blue collar life well and it's awesome. the performance seems a little bit patched at times but other than that it's great

Not your ordinary book

A very odd and interesting book. i found it entertaining and surprising along the way.

WINNER

What made the experience of listening to Tortilla Flat the most enjoyable?

the characters

What did you like best about this story?

the unending quest for wine

Which scene was your favorite?

vacuum cleaner

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

Having read this several times, it really came to life in the audio

it's amazing how people live and the freedoms we experience

second book by Steinbeck and seems to be in the same cinematic universe if you will. I like these stories about the downtrodden , The hidden -- but those same principled folks showcase a life free of responsibility and obligation that to me and my perspective can be so enticing.

it's an interesting exercise or pursuit and capturing those that we often pass by and wonder "...how? ..why?"

interesting way to color those same images that shed light on the minutes and hours spend in between those individual flashes that we see of them.

makes you think about all the people that you pass.

' if you don't feel like you can we're ready to best friend's funeral you're focused on the wrong thing' -- show up to life how you can and don't let perfect in the way a good enough

neat book.

as it relates to Zeitgeist-y type reviews: not sure why how Steinbeck is at risk for banned books. this isn't really bad or anything, especially considering the times he wrote.