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The Grapes of Wrath

Penguin Modern Classics

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The Grapes of Wrath

By: Robert DeMott - introduction, John Steinbeck
Narrated by: Richard Armitage
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

'I've done my damndest to rip a reader's nerves to rags, I don't want him satisfied.'

Shocking and controversial when it was first published, The Grapes of Wrath is Steinbeck's Pultizer Prize-winning epic of the Joad family, forced to travel west from Dust Bowl-era Oklahoma in search of the promised land of California. Their story is one of false hopes, thwarted desires and powerlessness, yet out of their struggle Steinbeck created a drama that is both intensely human and majestic in its scale and moral vision.

Public Domain (P)2022 Penguin Audio Classics Family Life Genre Fiction Small Town & Rural Fiction Heartfelt
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This book, written in the shadow of the Great Depression, is perhaps the greatest indictment of the evils of unfettered capitalism and the dogged resilience of community against its dehumanising influence. It can be seen as a forewarning of what we face today in the civilisation-threatening levels of inequity in wealth and power. This audio version is brilliantly and evocatively narrated by the English actor Richard Armitage

A Forewarning

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Amazing production of an incredible book. Richard Armitage is perfect as narrator. His voice work to distinguish between different characters is very impressive and effective without being overdone.

Amazing narration

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The Grapes of Wrath is a gruelling indictment of corporate greed during the 1930’s Great Depression. Dispossessed farming families who have been stripped of their land by the banks desperately journey across the country in search of work and a better life. Thousands flock to California lured by the promise of work and decent wages. The Joads are one such family, their story is interspersed with social commentaries which outline the overall social events and developments of the Great Depression as it pertained to tennent farmers, unionisation and the growth of individual and corporate wealth and holdings. Steinbeck’s descriptions of the pitiful conditions and general hopelessness experienced by the “migrants” is compelling, his taunt outlines of greed are infuriating. The narrator Robert McDermot is outstanding, his measured narration brings a realness to this story.

Outstanding

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I read it 40 years ago and needed to remind myself if it was still the best book I'd ever read... yes.. yes.. Richards narrating moved me so much... this story of man's inhumanity to man is unrelenting and hopeless but the resolution to live and hope will move you to your core...

stunning

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Armitage narrates this amazing book so beautifully, bringing all the characters to life with great aplomb.

A masterful performance of a masterful story

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It was read well by the narrator and it is a good story written about early 20th century US history

Realistic voyage of Oakies West across the US post-1929

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Whilst the content of this book is difficult to listen to, this audiobook is a great read. Beautifully read by the narrator. I feel like I was completely taken into the world and it seemed to go by really quickly. Will definitely read again.

Fantastic!

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One of the most accurate and poetic historical fiction books to have ever been written. Steinbeck is peerless in his research and honest portrayal of one of the most overlooked, toughest and inhumane periods in U.S history. The ‘Joeds’ speak for a 100 thousand families that can put starving and desperate from the dustbowl. A must for an historian worth his salt.

Classic for a reason

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This novel has impacted me in ways I couldn’t imagine. It is bleak, brutal and full of suffering, but also dripping with love, humanity and the resilience of the human spirit. Just as relevant today as a 100 years ago.

And a fantastic audio performance.

Gripping, genius, Brutal

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As a curious reader, I had always wanted to see what this American literary classic was about. While it was a slow burn, it was definitely worth persevering. I had all the emotions, I was touched, moved, inspired and angered throughout the story. Signs of a great read. It was pure, raw and real - warts and all. Timeless! Amazingly written and brilliantly narrated. I was disappointed with the ending but after a moment of reflection, I now understand the inference. For literacy enthusiasts, you’ll love this.

A must read for historians

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